Wale is stepping into the sneaker business in a new way. The rapper is now a co-owner of CapSole, a company that sells sneaker preservation kits.
He also has a title. Wale is the brand's chief creative officer, or CCO. Footwear News reported the news on Wednesday, October 14th.
In his new role, Wale will help guide the brand's creative direction, cultural partnerships, and growth. He said he wanted more than a paid endorsement. He wanted an ownership stake and a voice in how the company develops.
The financial details have not been disclosed. We also do not know how big his stake is. So what does CapSole do? The product is a reusable, airtight pod that holds a single pair of sneakers. A preservative cartridge pushes out the air inside, then the pod is sealed.
The idea is to slow down the damage that comes with age. That includes yellowing soles, crumbling midsoles, and glue that breaks down. The brand says lab testing showed three times less yellowing.
CapSole was founded by Darren Lee in 2019. Its site now lists Wale as an owner and CCO, and a Wale x CapSole page is already live.
Wale Becomes Co-Owner Of CapSole
This is a smart move for both of them. Wale is a longtime sneaker collector, so the partnership feels natural. CapSole gets a name that sneakerheads already know.
Preservation has become a bigger topic in the sneaker world. Many collectors own pairs that are 10, 15, or even 20 years old. Old materials can fall apart, even when the shoes were never worn.
That problem matters a lot for resellers too. A pair with yellowing or a cracked sole loses value fast. Anything that protects a grail is worth a look.
CapSole has also been getting more attention lately. The company pitched on Shark Tank, and an unaired version of that pitch was posted online earlier this year. Overall Wale said he believes in the company and now he gets to help shape its next chapter.
