You could say that all classic sneakers deserve a place on the podium within sneaker culture, but nothing wears the crown quite like the Nike AF1. Words by Aaron Barton.
And now for my next number I’d like to return to the... Classic.
Timberland 6 Inch boot, adidas Superstar, Clarks Wallabee, Puma Suede etc. All classic footwear that you could say deserve a place on the podium within hip hop culture, but nothing wears the crown quite like the Nike Air Force 1.
‘The Air Force 1 – Forces – Uptowns – White Ups – Harlems – White on Whites’ (the nicknames are endless) were designed by Bruce Kilgore and originally released as a basketball sneaker in 1982 but became a staple in hip hop.
From Rob Base wearing a custom pair on the cover for ‘It Takes Two’ (later inspiring Virgil Abloh and LV for their AF1) to Dame Dash wearing each pair only once, Nelly releasing a dedicated song for the shoe to Dr Dre having a closet full of white on whites, Nike started to pay attention and lean into hip hop’s love for the Air Force 1 in a big way.
“Give me two pairs (Cause) I need two pairs, (So I) can get to stompin’ in my Air Force Ones, Big boys stompin’ in my Air Force Ones”
Roc-a-fella Records, Terror Squad, DJ Clark Kent, Eminem, Quest Love, Vibe Magazine, Travis Scott, (to name a few) have all received their own Air Force 1 over the years. Nike even recruited hip hop legends Kanye West, Rakim, Nas, KRS-ONE and DJ Classic in 2007 to celebrate the 25th anniversary in a ‘CLASSIC’ way.
“I'm classic like the Air One’s, the hustler’s shoe. That's what I'm accustomed to, yeah!”
“In a fresh pair of Air Force One sneakers, Uptowns, we call ‘em uppies when they‘re on divas, Probably worn when KRS-One teaches, Nas made you look before the heaters, I bet you Kan’ had 'em on when he walked with Jesus”
Next up to leave his imprint on the Air Force 1 is the Toronto born rapper, Drake.
Honouring parental love and the story Drake’s mother read to him, ‘Love you forever’ is written on the midsole and a set of beads (done up in NOCTA blue) let you write your own lullaby on the laces. With the tiny heart pattern on the outsole, letting you leave an imprint of love.
This isn’t the first hip hop inspired Air Force 1 and it certainly won’t be the last, the ‘Nike x Drake Air Force 1’ launches on the 8th of December, all details via our Instagram.
And the Nikes on my feet keep my cypher complete.
