Hip Hop Footwear | Trending Sneakers Archives - Page 12 of 17

Adidas Set To Sell Yeezy Brand Products Again, a Portion of Proceeds To Go to Charity

May 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Adidas and Kanye West are back in business. News of the renewed partnership comes via the YEEZY MAFIA, a source of all things Yeezy, including his sneaker line.

Confirming the news, Reuters states Adidas CEO Bjoern Gulden revealed the renewed partnership to move some of the merchandise and donate a portion of the proceeds to international organizations.

A reported $1.3 billion in Yeezy-branded Adidas products are sitting in storage after the partnership was ended over the rapper’s antisemitic statements. Gulden stated plans for how Adidas will continue with the sale are not in place.

“What we are trying to do now over time is to sell some of this merchandise … burning the goods would not be a solution,” Gulden said.

Donating the sneakers was not an option out of fear the sneakers would reach the secondary market. Adidas stock is up 2% so far on the day. Ye would still receive 15% of the sales.

Speaking on the rapper, Culden stated about Ye, “As difficult as he was, he is perhaps the most creative mind in our industry.”

The post Adidas Set To Sell Yeezy Brand Products Again, a Portion of Proceeds To Go to Charity appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Nike Dropped Air Yeezys In Retail Stores 14 Years Ago

April 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this date in 2009, “Yeezy, Yeezy Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman.”

The above line comes from music and fashion mogul Kanye West’s “Facts” track from his The Life Of Pablo LP, which was actually released in 2016. West landed a new deal with Adidas for his Yeezy brand, but the original sneaker was released by Nike seven years prior.

Four years later, West switched brands, With his Yeezy sneaker gaining the lion’s share of its popularity under the Adidas umbrella. Despite the long-promised line of Kanye-Nike collaborative products like the Air Yeezy II Red Octobers, Kanye is severed ties with the company after producing just two shoes in five years.

“I said, ‘Well I need royalties.’ It’s not even like I have a joint venture. At least give me some royalties. Michael Jordan has 5 percent and that business is $2 billion. He makes a $100 million dollars a year off of 5 percent royalties,” West said. “Nike told me, ‘We can’t give you royalties because you’re not a professional athlete.’ I told them, ‘I go to the Garden and play one-on-no one. I’m a performance athlete.’”

Unable to come to a compromise, Yeezus jumped ship and headed over to a competitor, Adidas. “The old me, without a daughter, would have taken the Nike deal because I just love Nikes so much,” Kanye said in his Angie Martinez Hot97 interview. “But the new me, with a daughter, takes the Adidas deal because I have royalties and I have to provide for my family.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nike Dropped Air Yeezys In Retail Stores 14 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Don C Teams with Klarna to Present New Sneakers to Benny the Bull

March 8, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Benny the Bull, the enduring mascot of the Chicago Bulls, received a pair of brand-new sneakers from Klarna on Friday, March 3, in collaboration with internationally known designer and artist Don C.

The sneakers were created by Don C and Klarna and were inspired by the team’s 2023 City Edition Uniform. They have a rust color that is reminiscent of Chicago’s bridges and hot pink accents that match Klarna’s pink logo.

“For a kid from Chicago that grew up going to Bulls games with my dad, it’s an honor to be able to design a pair of shoes for the iconic Benny the Bull,” shared Don C. “Even beyond that, I am inspired by the opportunity to work with Klarna to connect fans just like me all around the world with this beloved team through fashion.”

Limited-edition Just Don Courtside Hi basketball shoes were released exclusively through the Klarna app and are now available at www.klarna.com/us/justdon for $460.

Speaking with The Source, Megan Gokey, Head of B2C Marketing & Brand Partnerships for Klarna, details the partnership, the Just Don collection, and more.

Klarna has activated in the United Center, specifically with merch. How has the response from fans been, and are there any additional components on the way that we haven’t seen yet?

Fan response has been overwhelmingly positive. We are always looking for ways to make a fan’s experience smoother and have found that the community has responded to our innovative tactics. Not only are they eager to get the new merch we collaborate on, but they are also leaning into shopping smarter with our Klarna Smoooth Delivery in-seat shopping experience that allows them to purchase Bulls merch, split the cost into four interest-free payments, and get it delivered directly to their seat, so they don’t miss a moment of the game.

In an executive role, how have you felt about the partnership with the Bulls so far?

We’re now in our second year of Klarna’s partnership with the Bulls and we’re really taking the fan experience to the next level. We are continuing to challenge ourselves to deliver something truly extra to the fans in an effort to bring them closer to the game and athletes they love through unique in-arena experiences like designing and unveiling the limited edition Don C Benny the Bull shoes, delivering a new in-seat shopping experience and introducing shoppable content such as the exclusive Just Don sneakers inspired by the design for Benny.

There are so many integral features to the Bulls – including players, personnel, and announcers. What made Benny the Bull the person to wear this sneaker?

Benny is beloved by everyone, from fans to players. He is such an integral part of the Bulls, both on game day and on social media.This is our second consecutive year partnering with a Chicago artist and designer on new shoes for Benny and it’s a tradition we hope will continue as everyone needs to upgrade their kicks after a while!

The Just Don sneaker was a Klarna exclusive – will additional items be solely available on the platform?

We are constantly looking to bring moments and offerings that will create the best and smoothest experience for fans – including new merch – to fans in-arena and outside. Previously, we worked with Zach LaVine to put together collections of his game-day essentials that fans could easily shop on the Klarna app.

There is basketball family synergy here between your team, the Bulls, and Don C. How hard was it to collaborate across all entities for this specific campaign?

Not hard at all. Especially having Don C on board as Creative Strategy and Design Advisor for the Bulls, it made working together pretty seamless throughout the design process.

What is your favorite component of Benny’s sneakers?

I love how the passion for the team and the city of Chicago really shines through in Benny’s sneakers. The rust coloring is reflective of downtown Chicago’s bridges, and of course, I love to see the hot pink of Klarna in there as well.

As we are heading into this stretch run – what do you hope to see from the Chicago Bulls? and do you have any predictions?

Like all Bulls fans in Chicago and around the world, we’re going to support the team every game. Bulls fans are some of the best in all of sports, and we’re thrilled to be a part of helping them cheer on their team.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Don C Teams with Klarna to Present New Sneakers to Benny the Bull appeared first on The Source.

Don C Teams with Klarna to Create Special Edition Sneaker for Chicago Bulls Mascot Benny

March 3, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Global all-in-one shopping service Klarna today announced it is working with influential designer Don C, a native of Chicago, to create a new special edition sneaker for iconic mascot Benny the Bull that will be inspired by the team’s 2022–23 City Edition Uniform. The sneakers are part of its multiyear partnership as the official shopping partner of the storied Chicago Bulls. On March 3, Don’s most recent Just Don basketball sneaker, which was inspired by his design for Benny, will also debut in a limited edition drop with Benny’s new footwear.

Benny will get Don C’s custom-made sneakers on March 3 at the United Center during the team’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Visitors to the Klarna Concierge on the first-level arena concourse will have the chance to win a VIP prize package that includes signed Bulls apparel and limited edition Just Don items. Those who can’t make it to the game can join a sweepstakes on Bulls.com for a chance to win a limited edition Don C designed shirt, which was also inspired by his sneakers for Benny, in addition to the Just Don basketball sneaker, which will be available exclusively on Klarna on March 3.

“Klarna is excited to partner with Don C for this year’s Benny the Bull sneaker collaboration, where we merged his passion for the Bulls and the city of Chicago with our passion to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to fans,” said David Sandstrom, Chief Marketing Officer, Klarna. “We are always looking to provide more experiences to Bulls fans both in the arena and all around the world and this year we leveled up by making pairs of Benny inspired Just Don sneakers available exclusively to fans using Klarna.”

Benny’s high top sneaker has a rust-colored design that is reminiscent of Chicago’s downtown bridges and hot pink accents that are reminiscent of Klarna’s well-known pink branding. Similar to Benny’s sneaker, the Just Don sneaker sold on Klarna is a high top that was inspired by Michael Jordan and Benny’s shoe.

This is the second year in a row that Chicago-based footwear manufacturer Klarna has collaborated with an artist and designer to create new shoes for the mascot of the Bulls, having previously worked with Chuck Anderson. In order to market its all-in-one shopping service to fans and bring them closer to the game through distinctive in-arena experiences and shoppable content, Klarna signed a multi-year relationship with the Bulls in 2022.

The Just Don sneaker can be purchased on the Klarna app for $460 at www.klarna.com/us/justdon.