#WearTheMessage: 20 Shoe Models Embraced by the Hip Hop Community
The connection between hip hop and sneakers is obvious
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Fly Kicks - It's no secret hip hop has always had an obsession with footwear. While a majority of items on this list are sneakers, we sprinkled in a few non-sneaker models on here for diversity. You might own a pair or two. Take a look. (Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images)
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1. Adidas Superstar - This was a no-brainer. As a matter of fact, when you clicked on this link on your Facebook/Twitter timeline the first thing that probably came out of your mouth was probably, "Watch, they're probably going to have the Adidas that Run DMC wore on this list," before getting got by the clickbait. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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2. Nike Air Force 1 - In New York these were dubbed Uptowns for a very long time because the trend began there. If you check the history, you will notice that hip hop has always had an infatuation with these sneakers. Diddy and Ma$e are wearing them in the "Mo Money, Mo Problems" video and Jay Z references them on "Can I Live," from his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Nas even wears them on the cover of Stillmatic. And of course, Nelly made a song about them simply titled "Air Force Ones," which made us all buy more than we should have. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)
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3. Nike Dunk - It wouldn't be fair to mention the Air Force 1 without mentioning these. Though there was no song dedicated to these sneakers, the Nike Dunk gained an organic following of hip hop heads looking for an alternative to the Air Force 1. True sneakerheads will note that the Dunk was really a popular shoe among the skateboard crowd, but once hip hop began embracing skateboard culture, this sneaker became a, dare we say, natural fit. (Photo: Nike)
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4. Puma Clyde - These kicks were named for Walt Frazier's nickname, Clyde. Pumas, in general, were embraced by breakdancers and their simplistic design made it easy for anyone to wear. If you weren't rocking Adidas with a matching tracksuit on the breakdancing floor, you were wearing Pumas and a matching tracksuit. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)
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5. Converse All Star "Chuck Taylor" - Including this on the list is like wearing deodorant when you step out: it's what we're supposed to do. Not everyone does it, and it's easy to overlook them, but the reality is these might very well be the greatest sneaker in human history. The West Coast is known for making these one of their trademark sneakers, but think about the global impact of this shoe. People of all backgrounds have worn these. Your parents have worn them, their parents have worn them, your boss has a pair (or had a pair). It's impossible to avoid these. And the hip hop community has of course found different ways to wear these, from matching them with flannels and Dickies to pairing them with a tuxedo, we've managed to always add a creative spin on such a timeless shoe. For those going to prom right now, wear these with your tux. You won't regret it. ...
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6. Nike Cortez - Kendrick Lamar is wearing the aforementioned sneakers in this pic. The Cortez usually gets overlooked, but it's undeniably a West Coast classic in the same vein as Chuck Taylors. If you're ever looking to get the perfect pair, hit up Nike ID, as you can create custom ones with their interface. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)
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7. Reebok Question Mid - Often referred to as Iversons (or AI's), they were the first signature sneaker made for the shooting guard. Iverson's bad boy image was popular among the hip hop crowd (mind you, Iverson almost dropped a rap album under the moniker Jewelz 14 years ago), which of course made this a popular item. Oh yeah, he was also a really dope basketball player when he wasn't getting into confrontations with his coach. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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8. Timberland 6-Inch Premium Boot - You usually hear these referred to as "constructs," as they were traditionally worn by construction workers. The wheat ones have been a staple for some time, as have the black suede ones, with the latter gaining traction again among '90s babies. It should be noted that when you refer to constructs, you're referring to the more expensive model with the opaque gum sole. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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9.Timberland Field Boot - The ones pictured above are known as the "beef and broccolis," a reference to the color combo. What made these significant was that one could wear them with shorts. Before, your only option was wearing construction Tims with shorts — which is why Drake is doing just that in the "No New Friends" video. (Photo: Timberland)
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10. Vans Classic Slip-On - This is a more recent addition to the hip hop footwear pantheon. Much like the Nike Dunk, it was when hip hop embraced the free-spiritedness of skateboarding that Vans really began to pop off. The rap group The Pack made a song dedicated to them and Lil Wayne is frequently seen wearing them. (Photo: VANS)
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11. Ewing Center Hi - The Adidas Attitude Hi was the original Patrick Ewing sneaker, however, for brevity, we'll discuss these for a moment. Ewing launched his own sneaker line in the late '80s and many hoped he would reach the championship level to which Michael, Isaiah, Magic, Larry and Hakeem would ascend. That never quite happened, but he was still a great ballplayer nonetheless and he had this cool hi top sneaker that was embraced by those looking to wear something that wasn't Nike or Adidas. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)
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12. Nike Air Max 95 - The Air Max, in general, has always been a favorite among the hip hop crowd, but the 95 just happened to have one of those cutting edge designs that made them a must-have. What's cool about them is you can wear them with jeans, sweats or shorts. Game once rapped, "I'd kill you if you try me for my Air Max 95s," on his hit "Hate It or Love It," indicating how serious it can get out in these streets for these kicks. (Photo: Nike)
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13. Reebok Pump Twilight Zone - There have been various incarnations of the Reebok Pumps over the years that were popular, including the Omni Lite. The Twilight Zones, with their neon highlights that defined the popular styles of the late '80s and '90s, were also pretty popular. There's a famous 1989 ad with Dominique Wilkins that helped push interest in this sneaker. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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14. Nike Foamposite - Much like the Air Max 95, it was the unique design that helped drive interest in these. Another side of their popularity is their overall comfort and the color combos they would come out in. Many hip hop fans will likely have memories of summer days spent just kickin' it on the Ave wearing these with camoflouge shorts, a white or black tee and a matching hat. (Photo: D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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15. Air Jordan III - We would go as far as saying that 95% of the Air Jordan III's that come out are all certified bangers. The few that weren't as well received were in atypical colors (e.g., the "Jokers"), but even those eventually sold out and have the potential to find a following. It's been rumored that in the late '80s Michael Jordan was considering ending his partnership with Nike but it was this model that made him stick with the brand. The designer, Tinker Hatfield, has somewhat debunked that theory but it's a nice campfire story for sneakerheads. The cement print alone sets it apart and there's versatility in the color combo for it. Wear these with leather jogging pants, regular jogging pants, a suit or plain jeans and you will still make necks crack. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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16. Air Jordan I - Call these the originators. If you go back and read old issues of Sneaker Freaker or Complex where they interview artists about the impact of these sneakers, a lot of them have these detailed stories about the first Air Jordans. Most of them revolve around the outlandish retail price (they were roughly $100 in 1984, which is almost the same as $150 today) and the reality is, the sneaker isn't that far from the Nike Dunk. But they're not Dunks; they're Jordans. Mike was fined the first few time he wore them as the color combo went aginst the uniform rules, thus giving them a rebellious association. Who knew this would be the beginning of a legacy that has continued to remain intact. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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17. Air Jordan VII - By the time the VIIs came out, Jordan had already won a championship and was solidifying his place as the greatest basketball player in NBA history. Those achievements, plus the hip ad campaign with Bugs Bunny, made these a special pair. A special Olympic version was released in 1992, in honor of the Dream Team and their victories in the Barcelona games. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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18. Air Jordan XI - You can probably put any Air Jordan on this list really, but the Air Jordan XI just has an incredible place in history simply because Mike wore them during the 1995-1996 season, winning his fourth championship. It's sleek design and use of patent leather make it a knockout. All around, it's just an awesome sneaker to wear. Plus, the colorways that they came out in lend themselves to some cool matching outfits. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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19. Nike ACG Goadome - This would be the Nike boot that Wale references in his seminal hit "Nike Boots" from some years back. It's more of a modern sneaker, but it was embraced by a lot of folks from the DMV area before making its way to Harlem and the Bronx. Despite the undeniable comfort these shoes bring, the craze behind these has died down a little bit. If you walk around NYC now, you will likely see police officers and hip dads wearing these (or pretty much any individual that's on their feet a lot). Rest assured, the validation these received from Wale will ensure that one day they will rise to popularity once again. (Photo: Nike)