Style

How To Buy Drake’s NOCTA x Nike Hot Step 2 Sneakers

by
drake
Getty Image

Drake’s ongoing collaboration with Nike has already produced some highly coveted pieces, including a basketball collection and a golf line. On April 3, the latest expansion of the NOCTA line arrives in the form of the “Total Orange” NOCTA x Nike Hot Step 2. Originally released as a “shock drop” via the dreaded SNKRS app, the bright-orange-and-silver silhouette will be available for wide release via NOCTA.com on April 3 and on SNKRS again on April 4. Here’s a look at them, courtesy of the official NOCTA Instagram:

While Drake continues to release new shoes with Nike, some of his peers in the rap game have branched out to launch their own sneaker brands. On April 12, Nicki Minaj will launch a line with 11 designs in partnership with LØCI, while J. Cole sneakily previewed his own Indie 5000s after a successful run with Puma on the RS-Dreamer. He’s been previewing the throwback-inspired sneakers on tour with Drake, but hasn’t yet announced when exactly he plans to release them.

As for the Hot Steps, according to British GQ, there wil be muliple colorways dropping alongside the Total Oranges, but they have yet to be revealed. GQ posits they’ll be around £160, which equates to aroudn $200 in USD.

Nicki Minaj Excitedly Announced Her Debut Sneaker Line, Which Features 11 Designs

by
nicki minaj
Getty Image

Nicki Minaj has long been a pioneer in the realm of hip-hop brand sponsorships and launching business endeavors outside of music. It looks like the latest market she wants to dominate is the shoe game. On Instagram, she announced the impending launch of her own sneaker line, which won’t just be one or two pairs but an entire range of designs — 11, to be exact — to be released on April 12.

“4/12 = 11 new pairs of my OWN sneaker,” she wrote. “11 completely different designs for you to choose from. An absolute dream come true. I can’t WAIT for you guys to see my 1st collection!!! … Thank you to my team for helping me make this dream come to fruition. This isn’t a sponsorship. I’m an owner & partner & we will be showing you the first complete collection on 4/12.”

Rappers launching their own shoe lines isn’t a new concept; after all, in the 2000s, both Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records and 50 Cent’s G-Unit had their own shoes. More recently, rappers have been mostly likely to collaborate with existing conglomerates — see: Drake, Doja Cat, Kanye West, Megan Thee Stallion, and Travis Scott.

However, more recently, it looks like hip-hop has been looking to carve out its own space in the sneaker game independent of big brands like Adidas and Nike. J. Cole recently previewed his new Dreamer Indie 5000 after previously releasing two pairs of sneakers with Puma. If this is going to be the new wave, there is definitely room in the market (for now, at least) and it will be fun to see how rappers use the space to express their creativity even further while retaining ownership and possibly innovating the next wave of footwear for the streets.

While Nicki’s sneaker does indeed look more like a collab with existing apparel company Løci, it’s still a fascinating possibility to consider.

J. Cole’s Dreamer Indie 5000 Sneakers — Everything We Know About Them So Far

by
Cole Shoe
Uproxx/Might Delete Later/Getty

To those mourning the end of J. Cole’s partnership with Puma and the RS-Dreamer, will be happy to know that Cole is readying a follow-up. The rapper/producer won’t be dropping the new shoe with Puma though, and those hoping for a Nike team-up will have to keep wishing because from what we can tell so far, it looks like Cole is going independent with this one.

Cole’s teased the new low-top sneaker via Vol. 2 of his Might Delete Later vlog (buried about halfway through the video, which is essentially a teaser for his upcoming album The Fall Off) where he can be seen rocking the new kicks in an indoor court while he sinks buckets.

The new sneaker, dubbed the Dreamer Indie 5000s, is just a prototype as of now according to Cole, who can be heard rapping, “This shit I designed with Italians, call them the Indie 5000s,” and feature a low-top 90s-esque b-ball design with a zig-zag overlay. Like the RS-Dreamer, the Dreamer Indie 500 conveys motion in its design. Overall, I think it’s a major improvement, but I know the RS-Dreamer has plenty of die-hard fans who might not agree.

Eagle-eyed Cole fans will recognize this design as Cole has been teasing them in public appearances and even appeared on a special cover of NBA 2K23 wearing a pair. As of now release information is not available but given the fact that the shoe got a special section in Vol. 2 of Might Delete Later, we’re assuming these will be released around or along with The Fall Off’s drop.

We’ll update you as soon as we know more, for now take a closer look at the prototype with these images collected by Nice Kicks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nice Kicks (@nicekicks)

Cardi B Invited Fans To Go Shopping For A Coach Bag With Her After It Looked Like She Dissed The Brand

by
cardi b 2023
Getty Image

As is the case with nearly all of Cardi B‘s releases, her latest cut, “Like What (Freestyle)” has everyone talking. While many are lauding Cardi for her scorching bars, a particular line has been interpreted as potential shade toward a fashion brand.

From the very beginning of the song, the Bronx rapper reminds us that she’s not the one to play with

“Classy and a c*nt / Blocks and money gettin’ spunt / Like, like what? / Like a Coach bag, baby, this ain’t what you want,” she raps on the controversial.

Many listeners took this line as a dig on the Coach brand, but Cardi took to Instagram Live to set the record straight. She explained that the line was inspired by Cam’ron’s 2011 track, “Hey Muma” and that she was simply speaking to the culture of New York fashion.

“I’m not trying to be on some rich sh*t and everything,” Cardi said in her live. “This is just real New York sh*t. I ain’t trying to offend none of y’all.”

Coach also showed her some love back with a shout-out on Twitter.

Shortly after, Cardi took to TikTok, where she shared a video of herself shopping at the Coach store and buying a bag.

@iamcardib

Come with me to buy a Coach bag 👜

♬ Like What (Freestyle) – Cardi B

So, it’s safe to say it’s all love between the two powerhouses.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Is Adidas Still Selling Kanye West’s Yeezy Sneakers?

by
Kanye West Adidas Yeezy 2016
Getty Image

Kanye West had a good run with his Adidas partnership, but that ended up crumbling thanks to West’s antisemitic comments and Adidas not being interested in having their brand attached to that sort of thing. But, Adidas x Yeezy isn’t quite finished yet.

Is Adidas Still Selling Kanye West’s Yeezy Sneakers?

They sure are.

Last May, it was revealed that Adidas had decided to sell off their remaining Yeezy stock after terminating their partnership with West. Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said at the time, “What we are trying to do now over time is sell parts of this inventory and donate money to the organizations that are helping us and that were also hurt by Kanye’s statements.”

That decision ended up paying off financially: That August, it was reported the company had brought in nearly half a billion dollars from the Yeezy inventory.

Then, today (February 26), the company announced additional releases of existing Yeezy products. West didn’t take this news well, writing on Instagram, “Anybody who loves Ye would not buy these fake Yeezys. I never made these colorways. I’m not getting paid off of them and adidas is suing me. All these celebrities and the public will stand against a T-shirt or the color of my hat but when yall see me have my children hidden from me or see an actual Fortune 500 company rape one of your heroes in real life don’t nobody say nothing or do nothing. As far as the system goes What yall gone do now? Take my album down again? Freeze my accounts again? Threaten people to not work with me again? All the new non approved 350’s are cooorny.”

Did Kanye West Make The New Adidas YZY 350s?

by
Kanye West January 2024
Getty Image

In early 2023, after discontinuing its partnership with Kanye West and his Yeezy brand, Adidas announced that it had reached an agreement to continue selling YZY-branded shoes without West’s involvement. The deal was intended to help Adidas liquidate nearly $1 billion in unsold merchandise as an alternative to destroying it. In August, it was reported that the first batch of YZYs sold turned around nearly $500 million in sales for a quarter of the warehoused goods, donating a portion of the profit to the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change.

With Adidas announcing its next run of releases, though, it looks like Mr. West is very upset about his lack of involvement. Commenting on an Instagram fan page’s post about the announcement, Kanye absolutely unloaded on Adidas’ leadership, complaining about his public treatment over the last year and a half (which was entirely self-induced, it must be noted).

kanye adidas angry
Instagram

“Anybody who loves Ye would not buy these fake Yeezys,” he wrote. “I never made these colorways. I’m not getting paid off of them and adidas is suing me. All these celebrities and the public will stand against a T-shirt or the color of my hat but when yall see me have my children hidden from me or see an actual Fortune 500 company rape one of your heroes in real life don’t nobody say nothing or do nothing. As far as the system goes What yall gone do now? Take my album down again? Freeze my accounts again? Threaten people to not work with me again? All the new non approved 350’s are cooorny.”

According to sources with knowledge of the deal, though, West rarely attended meetings to give approvals, so… again… maybe don’t throw rocks and complain about all the glass. The lawsuit he refers to here was over $100 million the company delivered to him for marketing purposes which he secreted away into other accounts for other Yeezy projects and has yet to return. Adidas, meanwhile, is being sued by its own shareholders over his actions.

How Much Is Tyler The Creator’s Louis Vuitton Capsule?

by
tyler the creator and pharrell
Getty Image

Tyler The Creator has had multiple opportunities over the years to collaborate with his hero Pharrell Williams, and his latest involves Williams’ role as the head designer of Louis Vuitton. Just as Tyler’s production style is clearly influenced by Williams’ work with The Neptunes in the early 2000s, his Louis Vuitton capsule collection takes inspiration from classic styles and remixes them with Tyler’s signature sporty fits and pops of pastel colors, a la his own high-end line, Golf Le Fleur. The collection hits stores on March 21, with Tyler showing off many of the items on Twitter:

How Much Is Tyler The Creator’s Louis Vuitton Capsule?

The least expensive item is a silk pocket square for 210 euros ($227.11) and the most expensive is a special edition Courrier Lozine 110 trunk for 68,000 euros ($73,540.30), according to Women’s Wear Daily. While the report doesn’t list all of the prices, you can assume most will fall somewhere in this range, with items going from a monogram short suit, a cable knit sweater, and several golf-inspired pieces including a technical anorak, a windbreaker, and a zip cardigan all patterned with Vuitton’s signature checkerboard. There are also collectibles like a chessboard and a golf kit.

“Everything that Tyler does is thoughtful and authentic,” Pharrell told WWD. “We’ve done something completely new with this project that merges our two worlds and the outcome is uniquely LV. Check out some of the looks below:

When Does Pharrell & Tyler The Creator’s Louis Vuitton Collab Come Out?

by
tyler the creator
Getty Image

When Pharrell was made the head designer of legacy fashion house Louis Vuitton after Virgil Abloh passed away, it was only a matter of time until Tyler The Creator got in on the action. Tyler has long been an adherent of Pharrell’s musical and fashion philosophies, and Pharrell’s been more than happy to step into the role of mentor for the younger artist, so it’s fitting that he’d also invite Tyler to take a hand in guiding the direction of Pharrell’s Vuitton.

Naturally, Tyler’s capsule collection for Louis Vuitton is stamped by his signature affinity for preppy, old-money styles like trench coats, polo sweaters, and dapper short suits all presented with retro flair with modern flourishes and pops of pastel. Tyler shared a lookbook on Twitter with photos in both the studio and in the wild, highlighting the versatility of the clothes and styling. He also thanked Pharrell, calling him a “guardian angel.”

The collection — which also includes a custom chess board designed by Tyler — is due to hit stores on March 21, just in time for the spring/summer season. In an interview with WWD, Pharrell praised his collaborator, saying, “Everything that Tyler does is thoughtful and authentic. We’ve done something completely new with this project that merges our two worlds and the outcome is uniquely LV.

Here Is Where You Can Get Jack Harlow’s New Balance 550 Colorways

by
NB Harlow
New Balance/Uproxx

The New Balance 550 is a modern classic. And I say “modern classic” knowing full well the sneaker was introduced in 1989. After the sneaker’s initial run, it was all but forgotten in NB’s archives until 2020 when Aimé Leon Dore reintroduced the sneaker to the public with a few now-iconic limited drops. The reintroduction of the 550 was so popular that New Balance made ALD founder Teddy Santis its creative director, and together Santis and NB have taken the brand from a niche audience to the mainstream.

The brand hitting its stride and getting love from a new generation is a good thing. New Balance sneakers are dope, and a lot of that has to do with the immaculate design and smart branding. And we can’t think of a better person to be a brand ambassador than Jack Harlow. Harlow, with his minimalist and to-the-point aesthetic (his best music is plain and simple rap, no sub-genres required) reflects the simplicity of New Balance in the Teddy Santis era. So it’s no huge mystery why the brand tapped Harlow to introduce brand new colorways of the 550.

Launching exclusively at Foot Locker this Thursday, the new colorways include a sneaker that combines Sea Salt, Reflection, Olivine & Dark Olivine, and another in Reflection, Sea Salt, and Grey Matter. The colorway names are excessively complicated, as is per usual with New Balance. Seriously, they could’ve just titled these sneakers “Olive” and “Light Blue.”

The sneakers retail for $110 and feature a white leather base with colored panels and logos. Sadly, the green 550s are Women’s and Children’s only. The blue is a full size run. To pick up a pair, hit up Foot Locker and Champs Sports stores on February 22nd or online. Check out the sneakers in action below.

NB Harlow
New Balance
NB Harlow
New Balance
NB Harlow
New Balance
NB Harlow
New Balance
NB Harlow
New Balance

Kanye West Finally Got To Make All Of His Yeezy Merch Only $20 After Blowing Up His Deal With Gap

by
kanye west
Getty Image

Back when Kanye West was still partnered with Gap, he made a huge fuss about wanting to price all of his Yeezy merch at $20. His stated goal at the time was to make “modern, elevated basics for men, women and kids at accessible price points,” however, one of the points of contention for him regarding the Gap Yeezy line was that all of the items were priced similarly to the red jacket he wore at his Donda listening. Kanye also wanted to change the store layouts, selling the clothes out of bundles and bags on the floor rather than on hangers (with Kanye, a truly bad idea nearly always follows the good ones).

In 2022, Kanye made a big show of trying to blow up his deal with Gap, although it’s more likely the company cut ties with him over his controversial statements about Jewish people, George Floyd, and a certain mustachioed dictator with a penchant for oration and world domination. The bright side for Kanye is that now, apparently, he can live his dream of selling Yeezy merch for just $20. Every item on the Yeezy website is currently priced at $20 — not including shipping costs — with multiple options of T-shirts and women’s tank tops, jumpsuits, and rompers, as well as his somewhat controversial sock-sneakers.

You can check out the designs on offer here.