Image via Getty/Neilson Barnard
Rappers have long been some of the biggest influencers when it comes to style. The more visible hip-hop has become as a genre, the more important rappers’ fashion choices have become important in dictating what’s hot or not for the public.
This all started well before the days of Yeezy Mud Rats. Since back in the day, if your favorite rapper wore a pair of the hottest new kicks, then that particular sneaker’s stock instantly rose. If you were able to get a pair for yourself, then you automatically became the cool kid on the block. If you grew up in the ‘80s, for example, you were probably rushing to the nearest Foot Locker to get a pair of Adidas Shell Toes after seeing Run DMC’s “My Adidas” video. Rappers are tastemakers; they set the style trends and the masses follow suit.
Over time, rappers have progressed from not only wearing and marketing the hottest new sneakers, but to creating them. Between Jay-Z’s S.Carter collection with Reebok in the early 2000s and Kanye West’s boundary breaking Nike Air Yeezy sneakers—which eventually led into his current Yeezy Boost collection with Adidas—rappers’ influence in the world of footwear has only gotten bigger over the years.
Now, it seems as if every notable rapper has some sort of endorsement deal or collaboration with a major sneaker company. Tyler, The Creator has worked with Vans and Converse, Drake has released multiple pairs of Air Jordans under his OVO moniker, and Pharrell has helped push Adidas’ NMD sneakers to new heights with his Human Race collaboration.
The sneaker industry is big business, and now more than ever, rappers are getting their feet in the door and becoming an integral part of that business. With so many different collaborations, it can be hard to decide which kicks stand out the most. Here is our list of rappers who have created the best sneakers.
15. Public Enemy
The sneaker designs involving pioneering rap group Public Enemy aren't numerous, but they are worth referencing. Supreme flipped the iconic PE logo for a pack of Vans back in 2006, getting in long before the current wave of rapper sneakers. Word has it this design will return in some form for a forthcoming collab from Public Enemy, Supreme, and Undercover this year. Believe the hype.
14. Travis Scott
Travis Scott is a newcomer to the sneaker design thing, but he started off on the right foot. His Nike Air Force 1 was a highlight of last year. The design had a maturity to it that most wouldn't have expected—who knew so many people would clamor for a canvas pair with the chunky piping? He may have more in the works, too: Word has it there is a Travis Scott x Jordan retro releasing in 2018.
13. Skepta
This artist may not prefer the term "rapper," but that doesn't diminish his achievements in the sneaker scene. He's only got one (released) pair to his name so far, but it's a big one. The 2017 Skepta x Nike Air Max 97 was an ideal combination of authentic storytelling and fresh design, and was worked on by the late Gary Warnett. Look for Skepta's Nike partnership to continue this year with more retros.
12. De La Soul
Remember when Nike SB Dunks were this fun? At the height of that line's craziness, Nike skipped all the sly cultural references and actually partnered with Long Island rap trio De La Soul. The result channeled their Daisy Age energy into some of the best instances of SB Dunks doing the most. Don't forget about the 2015 retros, either.
11. Tyler, the Creator
Tyler's sneakers don't go for big money on the resell market, but they make up for it in authenticity. His early Vans designs made sense, given the shared connections to California culture, and his Converse didn't miss a step when "Vans f**ked up," as he rapped on "I Ain't Got Time!" One gets the sense that Tyler isn't willing to slap his name on any product, and that shows with his footwear collaborations.
10. Run-DMC
No discussion of sneakers and hip-hop is complete without a mention of Run-DMC, who gave Adidas a huge boost with their co-sign in the '80s. The relationship between the two entities essentially laid the groundwork for rapper sneakers as they are today, even if there is no particular pair from them that stands out in terms of actual releases. The one pictured is a 2011 release celebrating 'My Adidas,' the track that crystallized the Queens trio's love of the brand.
9. Pusha T
"Adidas gave me a million and that don't bounce," Pusha T claimed in a 2015 verse. What did he give the brand in return? Some of its most daring sneakers in theme and cleanest in design in recent memory. The rapper released his first and best street-inflected shoe in 2014, which featured fishscale uppers and a crackled texture, along with Pyrex detailing. The sequels haven't been as moving, but Pusha has nonetheless earned his spot here.
8. MF Doom
Rarely are sneaker designs so literal. Nike abandoned any sense of subtlety with its 2007 MF Doom Dunk, which had the rapper's logo on the collar, his artwork on the bottom, and materials referencing his signature mask. The man born Daniel Dumile hasn't been prolific with his sneakers, but he's still got one of the best collab Dunks out there, and that's enough for this nod.
7. Wu-Tang Clan
Many members of this collective have released their own sneakers, but none was greater than the 1999 Dunk in killa beez colors. Yes, the sneaker looks simple enough now, but keep in mind this happened almost 20 years ago, and helped change how liberal brands were willing to be with outside logos on their sneakers. Good luck finding a pair for under $10,000—that's how much people lust after this shoe.
6. Dizzee Rascal
You may not have heard of this grime artist, but stay with us here. Collaborations or not, Dizzee's 2009 take on the Air Max 90, aided by designer Ben Drury, is one of the best ever. The "Tongue N' Cheek" colorway was literal with its inspiration, but managed some subtlety through the premium material choices. And it doesn't stop there—Dizzee's also got a couple of Air Max 180s and an Air Force 1 to his name. Trainers by the truckload, trainers by the ton, indeed.
5. Drake
Jumpman, Jumpman, they gave him his own collection. While Jordan Brand has been creating exclusive sneakers for entertainers for years, it's never had a partnership on the level of its one with Drake, which involves sneakers that actually release at retail. Drizzy has launched six sneakers with Jordan, all of which have sold out pretty instantly. The shoes may be too plain for some, but it's hard to argue that Drake hasn't done more with his sneakers than most.
4. Jay-Z
While Jigga isn't the biggest sneakerhead, he isn't without credentials in the scene. His Reebok sneakers were hugely popular for a moment, breaking sales records upon their release. They also reframed how brands looked at partnerships with rappers. Jay-Z has a handful of Nikes, too, the most available among them being the Roc-A-Fella Air Force 1, a shoe that went from unattainable grail to retro release in 2017.
3. Pharrell
You might know him best for his Adidas NMDs, but keep in mind that Pharrell has been doing this sneaker thing for a good while now. Long before he joined the Adidas family in 2014, the Neptunes producer was making waves with his flamboyant Ice Cream sneakers in the '00s, and also had a Dunk via his band, N.E.R.D. He showed staying power, finding a new voice in the new decade and helping build the buzz around Adidas as one of its most important creative partners.
2. Eminem
This Detroit legend quietly has one of the deeper rapper sneaker catalogs. A good lot of those never released (see his charity-only Air Max series from 2006), but any pair that's made its way into the hands of the public has made waves. He's also got one of the more enduring partnerships in the industry, having worked with Jordan Brand on and off from 2005 all the way up to 2017. It speaks well to Em's sneaker resume that almost every one of his collab pairs sells for thousands of dollars.
1. Kanye West
This one is not up for debate. No rapper has come close to achieving what Kanye West has in the world of sneakers. His influence really is that big. He had a deal with Nike, created a new level of hype there, left for Adidas, helped that brand become relevant, and is now flirting with creating his own shoes sans brand support. It's no secret that West aspires to be the greatest ever in any field he dabbles in, and he's achieved that here.