RAPPERS DOMINATING THE SCENE – THIS WEEK IN SNEAKERS

by Sam Le Roy 2 years ago

by Sam Le Roy 2 years ago 5 min

In an otherwise quiet week for sneaker releases, the highlights have definitely been rumours from the likes of Drake, Virgil Abloh and Kanye West. Coming up next is a slew of collaborative Nike releases, as well as a particularly interesting sneaker from adidas and Parley – which pair are you most excited for? Hit the link in bio to get in the know with everything sneakers this week.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

KANYE DEBUTS THE 1020V AT HIS “DONDA” LISTENING PARTY

Nobody in the past decade has been as influential as Kanye, be it in fashion, sneakers, or music – he’s done it all and continues to dominate. The big news last week was Ye’s “DONDA” listening party, which saw the multi-hyphenated superstar don an all-red fit and tight mask paired with the next big thing from adidas YEEZY’s star-studded design team headed by Steven Smith. The 1020V is an aggressive, sporty sneaker-boot hybrid with unique design lines, arriving as a polished development of the brand’s already established, and constantly groundbreaking, aesthetic.

DRAKE’S “CERTIFIED LOVER BOY” AIR FORCE 1

Drake’s latest interjection into the sneaker scene – following on from partnerships with Nike and Air Jordan historically – comes as a minimal, subtly modified take on the classic Air Force 1. The pair arrives as a commemoration of his next album “Certified Lover Boy”, with the silhouette receiving upgrades in materials, as well as a “Love you forever” emblazoned midsole in replacement of commonplace “AIR” branding. The best detail, and often overlooked, is the addition of miniature love-hearts all over the outsole which is normally covered in stars.

sneakers 2 (levi brent-lee) — Levi Brent-Lee ©

ADIDAS AND PARLEY – BACK TO A WINNING FORMULA?

The adidas-Parley linkup started way back in the era of Boost, with multiple takes on the Ultra Boost going to grailed levels and garnering five-figure price tags. Over the past couple years, however, the hysteria has died down, and for good reason; the product slowed down, and the duo failed to really develop on their partnership and stir up some excitement. This year, the pair return with the 4DFWD, a 4D-soled, stealthily-designed runner constructed of recycled polyester – it’s what the collaboration is all about. Complete with interesting embroidery across the sneaker (weirdly making me think of the Air Max 97, anyone else see it?) this is a very exciting adidas collaboration.

AIR JORDAN 1 “BUBBLEGUM” – RUST PINK ALL OVER AGAIN?

Jordan Brand’s next Air Jordan 1 comes as a black and pink ode to his apparent obsession with bubblegum – whether you believe it to be true, or you think the brand is reaching for new ideas, it’s an ultra-wearable sneaker set to be the next big thing. The pair is reminiscent of the hallowed “Rust Pink” Air Jordan 1 (which resell for upwards of $4000) so we’re expecting a big price tag. They even come with bubblegum stuck on the sole.

RELEASES OF THE WEEK: 26.07.2021 – 01.08.2021

This week’s releases are dominated by the Swoosh, as usual. This time, however, I’m actually excited about it. The Olympics come as a massive culture clash, a collision of worlds, and Nike are using it as a chance to showcase some great talent. The Yoon Ahn-designed AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High makes a comeback in neon yellow, while the Jun Takahashi-directed Dunk High makes its debut in a heritage basketball-inspired moment. Piet Parra also returns, lending his established art direction to a tearaway SB Dunk Low matching the killer Olympic uniforms donned by the skaters competing this week. I’m just waiting for the zebra print Quartersnacks pair – they’re the pick of the bunch for me.

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Arguably the pair of the year, certainly so if we’re talking hype and hysteria, Travis Scott’s portfolio with Nike is set to expand in conjunction with Fragment Design in a semi-random three way collaboration that I can’t quite wrap my head around. Yes, he gets brownie points for paying homage to the “Reverse Royal” AJ1 high sample from 1985(ish), but what’s the point in chucking the Fragment logo on there? No real story, no real change from Trav’s other Air Jordan 1 pair – I just wish he’d be as groundbreaking with sneakers as he is with all things music.

My favorite pair of the coming week is an in-line Air Force 1 Craft dubbed “Dark Chocolate”. I’m loving the material choices, be it premium brown leather on the upper or the detailing by way of perforated cream leather that hits the color of the midsole perfectly. This is one pair we should all have in the wardrobe for fall 2021 – the Air Force 1 is quite possibly the best silhouette of all time, so it just makes sense.