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RS Recommends: The Best Rapper Sneaker Collabs of All Time, Ranked
From Tyler, the Creator and Converse to Kanye West and Adidas, these rapper sneaker deals have re-shaped the fashion world
Oscar Hartzog
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March 2, 2022
Adidas
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Sneakers and rappers have a long history together. The relationship was made official when Adidas partnered with Run D.M.C back in 1986, and since then, sneakers and hip-hop have symbiotically risen to dominate fashion and music, respectively. Today, the best rapper sneaker collabs produce some of the most coveted items in the world — on par with collectible watches and exotic cars — selling out in minutes and fetching up to seven figures on the resale market.
Below, we’ve ranked the best rapper sneaker collaborations of all time, based on style and success. Because many of the best rapper sneaker collabs come with monstrous price tags, we’ve also linked to more affordable alternatives with a similar look (or as similar as we could find).
The Best Rapper Sneaker Collabs of All Time
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Big Sean x Adidas
Image Credit: StockX
On the insoles of Big Sean’s Adidas Metro Attitude sneakers, you’ll see the inscription “My dreams stopped being dreams when I turned ‘em into goals.” But this reference to the rapper’s song “First Chain” is really all they have going for them. With a colorful floral pattern (that’s also a snakeskin pattern) and gold detailing, the sneakers are very 2014. And not in a good way. Still, the Metro Attitudes are very rare.
Buy Big Sean Adidas Metro Attitude $250+
Big Sean x Adidas Alternative: If you want a similar pair of kicks that are more attainable (and better looking), check out these colorful Adidas Forum Mid sneakers.
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Cardi B x Reebok
Image Credit: Reebok
Cardi B has teamed up with Reebok twice, dropping Cardi B Club C first and then the Cardi B Classic Leather. In an interview with Rolling Stone about her first collaboration, Cardi said, “I drew a lot of my inspiration from growing up in New York in the Nineties – I used those moments as inspiration to make beautiful clothes for women today.”
But are the sneakers Up? We’re not totally sure. Luckily, you can see for yourself: the Cardi B Classic Leather is still available at Reebok.com at its original MSRP of $110.
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Drake x Jordan
Image Credit: StockX
Drake might be the most-streamed artist of all time, but his Jordan collabs are less desirable than some of his contemporaries. He’s released several sneakers with Jordan through his brand OVO (though he no longer has a deal with Jordan), and they’re worthwhile for any fan of the Toronto rapper’s style.
Drake x Jordan Alternative: For some excellent non-Drake Jordans, check out the similar Air Jordan 12 “Royalty.”
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Kendrick Lamar x Nike
Image Credit: Fight Club
Kendrick Lamar started his sneaker journey with Reebok but moved to Nike in 2017 for an ongoing partnership. These Cortez sneakers were some of the first from Lamar x Nike, building on the Cortez’s established place in West Coast hip-hop culture. Brining nods from Lamar’s album DAMN, these Cortez, linked below, feature “Bet it Back” on the tongue and an exclusive black colorway with red details.
Buy Kendrick Lamar x Cortez 3 $160+
Kendrick Lamar x Nike Alternative: Luckily, Nike’s classic leather Cortez offers a vibe that’s similar to the Kenny Cortez for around $100, depending on your size.
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DJ Khaled x Jordan
Image Credit: StockX
Through a short but sweet two-shoe partnership with Jordan brand, DJ Khaled has proved that his bold production style translates to sneakers. His first launch was these bright red Air Jordan 3 Retros, dubbed “Grateful” as a commemoration of his 2017 album of the same name. Behind the Jumpman logo on the heel and on the insoles is the rapper/producer’s catchphrase, “We The Best,” while black and cement grey accents even out the all-red color.
Buy DJ Khaled Jordan 3 Retro $12,000+
DJ Khaled x Jordan Alternative: The Khaled Jordans are very rare (they were only given away as part of a contest), but you can snag these very similar Jordan 3 Retro Fire Red Cement sneakers for a reasonable price.
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MF Doom x Nike
Image Credit: Fight Club
Nike’s 2007 collaboration with the late MF Doom was a shock to fans of underground hip-hop. The rapper and producer never reached mainstream success (and never wanted to), making his selection a rare choice by Nike. The resulting sneaker, a rendition of the Dunk High, incorporated dark, exotic materials like faux ostrich skin and midnight fog leather. The tongue features Doom’s iconic mask, and the musician’s throwback graffiti logo can be seen on the ankle. Today, the skate sneaker is selling for thousands on the resale market.
Buy Nike Dunk High MF Doom $1,885+
MF Doom x Nike Alternative: all Nike Dunks have become hard to come by, but you can snag this smokey gray pair for around $300 to $400, depending on your size.
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Pharrell x Adidas
Image Credit: Farfetch
Few artists have done as many sneaker collabs as Pharrell Williams — and done them so well. From Nike to Reebok to BAPE to Adidas, the hip-hop legend has produced both sought-after grails and mass-market best-sellers. One of our favorites is Pharrell’s take on the NMD, which features a few design tweaks and bold text down the top of both shoes. They’re part of Pharrell’s own brand, Humanrace, which has collaborated with Adidas on both footwear and clothing drops online.
Buy Adidas x Pharrell Williams NMD $1,958+
Pharrell x Adidas Alternative: Looking for a similar style that won’t break the bank? Check out the Adidas NMD. They’re equal parts athletic shoe and style statement, making one of the best casual footwear options available.
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Eminem x Jordan
Image Credit: StockX
Though sometimes overshadowed by newer collabs, Eminem put out some of the most sought-after sneakers around. One of the bigger drops was this three-way collab between Eminem, Carhartt, and Jordan, which now sells for mid-five figures. We love them because they’re not loud, unlike some rapper sneaker colalbs, making them an “if you know you know” item in the sneaker world.
Buy Jordan 4 Eminem Carhartt $35,045+
Eminem x Jordan Alternative: All Jordan 4s have become quite pricey, but we found these Jordan 4 Retro Breds that can be had for a much more reasonable price.
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Run DMC x Adidas
Image Credit: StockX
Adidas changed the game in 1986 when they inked a deal with Run DMC, poising themselves for future rapper collabs and setting the precedent for other brands to do the same.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, Adidas Originals revived the Run DMC Superstar sneaker for a limited-edition drop. One of the sneakers, seen here, is a Superstar that’s been remixed with Run DMC colors and the group’s logo on the tongue. Best of all, they’re reasonably priced on the resale market and make a great choice for weekends or nights out.
Buy Adidas Superstar 50 Run DMC $79+
Run DMC x Adidas Alternative: This one is easy; grab a pair of classic Adidas Superstars, like the ones that Run DMC wore before their deal with the brand, as an alternative.
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Tyler, the Creator x Converse
Image Credit: StockX
By marrying his skater background with hip-hop style, Tyler, the Creator made waves with his Golf Le Fleur Converse. First released in 2017, Tyler’s re-designed Converse One Star was a favorite with skater kids and fashion lovers alike. The shoe sees Converse’s classic suede One Star wrapped in a brightly-colored flower — a nod to Tyler’s 2017 album, Flower Boy. There have been dozens of similar releases since then, and they’re all worth adding to your sneaker collection.
Buy Converse Tyler the Creator Golf Le Fleur $260+
Tyler, the Creator x Converse Alternative: Although the Golf Le Fleur Converse aren’t that hard to come by, you can also pick up the original One Star here, which is a fantastic sneaker in its own right.
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Kanye x A Bathing Ape
Image Credit: StockX
Long before Kanye West was a fashion mogul, he created a “Dropout Bear” Bape Sta with streetwear brand A Bathing Ape. Released in 2006, it was West’s first collaborative sneaker, and has since become highly collectible (as have all Babe Stas). The sneaker’s palette is the same as the cover of Kanye’s debut album, The College Dropout, and features his iconic Dropout Bear character at the heel.
Buy Kanye West College Dropout Bape Sta $7,499+
Kanye x A Bathing Ape Alternative: Now selling for high-four or five figures, the “Dropout Bear” Bape Sta is very unique. The closest alternative we could find is these Nike Air Force 1 Low Gore-Tex sneakers (which share the Babe Sta’s silhouette).
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Travis Scott x Jordan
Image Credit: Farfetch
Travis Scott’s sneakers with Nike and Jordan range from respected to grail-level. These Jordan 1 Low OG SPs, designed by Japanese musician Hiroshi Fujiwara, Scott, and Air Jordan, are one of the more recent entries in Scott’s footwear-ography. Featuring his now-signature backward Swoosh, unique colors, and a Cactus Jack logo on the heel tab of one sneaker, the kicks epitomize Scott’s approach to footwear.
Buy Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 Low OG SP $1,880+
Travis Scott x Jordan Alternative: You won’t get the sought-after backward Swoosh for under $1,000, but you can get the same Jordan 1 Low silhouette at a much more approachable price point. For example, these black and grey AJ 1s make a good choice for streetwear-inspired fits.
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Wu-Tang Clan x Nike
Image Credit: StockX
In classic Wu-Tang Clan style, the group’s first collaboration with Nike was limited to just 36 pairs. The shoe, a bright yellow and black Dunk High with Wu-Tang’s logo on the heel, was released in 1999 and has since become one of the rarest, most collectible sneakers in the world. Today, you’re unlikely to find someone that owns a pair of the legendary kicks, and there isn’t really a price for sneakers with this level of this scarcity.
Buy Nike Dunk High Wu Tang $NA
Wu-Tang Clan x Nike Alternative: Luckily, Wu-Tang teamed up with Nike once more in 2016 for these Nike Air Foamposite Ones in Wu-Tang Optic Yellow. The shoes aren’t nearly as rare as the Wu-Tang Dunks, and are trading for around $400 to $1,500 on StockX.
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Kanye West x Nike
Image Credit: Farfetch
Last year, records were shattered when a pair of Nike Air Yeezy samples, worn by Kanye West at the 2008 Grammys, sold at Sotheby’s for $1.8 million. It was proof that sneakers’ are now art as much as clothing, but, perhaps more so, it was a testament to West’s importance in the current sneaker explosion.
West has since moved on to Adidas (more on that below), but his time at Nike set the tone for modern rapper sneaker collaborations. There are only a few Nike Air Yeezys out there, and they make a trophy in any collector’s closet.
Buy Nike Air Yeezy Hi-Top $4,893+
Kanye West x Nike Alternative: For something reminiscent of the Nike Air Yeezy, check out these Saquon Barkley Nike Air Trainer 3s.
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Kanye West x Adidas
Image Credit: Farfetch
Kanye may have started something at Nike, but he completed it at Adidas. By starting his own brand, Yeezy, in partnership with Adidas in 2015, Ye transformed fashion (and reportedly made himself a billionaire in the process). When it comes to the best rapper sneaker collabs, no one comes close to Yeezy.
The most influential sneaker in the Adidas Yeezy lineup has been the Yeezy Boost 350, seen here in a recently-released light grey and gum sole combination. Although they’ve been around for a while now (get the Yeezy Insulated Boots if you want the latest Yeezys), the Boost 350s are likely to become a classic.
Buy Adidas YEEZY Boost 350 $345+
Kanye West x Adidas Alternative: Due to the success of the Yeezy Boosts, there are plenty of accessible alternatives. One good example is the Adidas Ultraboost, seen here in a Yeezy-esque chalk white.
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