3 Biggest Names In The Hip Hop- Sneaker Scene

Ever since the 1970s, hip hop has had a monumental influence on streetwear, especially sneaker culture. The artists of this genre and the sneaker industry have always shared a special connection. And now, with a slew of collaborations, including Travis Scott x Nike, that connection is stronger than ever. It all began in the ‘80s, when Run DMC signed hip hop’s first endorsement deal with Adidas right after dropping their iconic single, ‘My Adidas.’ Since then, rapper and sneaker collabs have gone on to become one of the most influential sectors in the industry, particularly among celebrity-obsessed youngsters and hypebeasts. A diverse mix of artists, from Kanye and Drake to Tyler the Creator and even Big Sean, have lent their name to a sneaker or two. Some have even gone on to create their own brands. This has led to the creation of a few holy grails that are notoriously difficult to come across and command a hefty deal in the resale market. But when it comes to rapper x sneaker collabs, there are a few names that stand out. These heavyweights have managed to set the footwear industry on fire as they did with their music.

Here are some of the biggest names in the hip hop- sneaker scene:

1. Kanye “Ye” West

Ye, commonly known by his former name Kanye West, began his tryst with the sneaker world in 2009 when he collaborated with Nike to release the Air Yeezys. Here’s a fun fact: the Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype he wore at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards sold for a whopping $1.8 million at an auction! Although his partnership with Nike ended in 2014, he followed it up with an Adidas partnership and made Yeezy one of the most influential brands in the sneaker industry, beating even Jumpman. Some of the most popular Yeezys are the Yeezy Boost 350 V2, Adidas Yeezy 500 High, Adidas Yeezy Boost 380 Alien, and so on.

2. Travis Scott

Travis Scott first teamed up with Nike in 2017 with a pair of Nike Air Force 1 with a removable silver swoosh as their first official drop. Although he doesn’t have an official signature sneaker to his name, Nike has allowed the rapper to put his spin on almost every silhouette, including Air Jordan VIs. But his most coveted release has to be the Air Jordan 1, with special details like the backward swoosh. With his meteoric rise in popularity in recent years, especially with the success of his album Astroworld, it looks like Scott isn’t stopping anytime soon.

3. Pharrell Williams

It is safe to say that Pharrell Williams is one of the pioneers of the rappers and sneakers universe. His relationship with the streetwear industry can be traced back to 2005 when he partnered with NIGO, a Japanese fashion icon, to create Billionaire Boys Club and ICECREAM footwear. In 2014, Adidas announced a long-term partnership with him and released the Adidas NMD “Human Race” collection two years later. The line boasts some pretty solid designs, some of which are considered grails.

Want to learn more about the latest collaborations, sneaker drops, and hip hop fashion trends? Check out Birth of Hip Hop, your number one source for all things hip hop. We are also one of the best hip hop fashion shops online.