Beerkus wore the cream and black Adifom Climacool during the unauthorized climb. The shoe’s open-cage EVA construction made it a surprising choice for that kind of ascent.

Once at the top, the couple unfurled a large banner reading “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Beerkus then proposed to Nikolau before the two began their descent.

NYPD officers met them down and placed both into custody. The pair now faces multiple charges including burglary and reckless endangerment.

Nikolau and Beerkus are known internationally for scaling skyscrapers. They were the subjects of Netflix’s 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which followed a similar high-rise climb in Kuala Lumpur.

The sneaker community picked up on Beerkus’s footwear choice quickly after the story broke. The Adifom Climacool is primarily a lifestyle shoe with a molded EVA shell. It wasn’t designed for building climbs, which made the detail stand out further. Both were released on supervised release after their Thursday arraignment.

Read More: Official Images Of The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” Are Here

Ivan Beerkus Wears Adidas Climacool

The Adidas Adifom Climacool first released as a lifestyle shoe built around a single-piece EVA shell. Its open cage design references the original Climacool running line from the early 2000s. The shoe sits on a chunky midsole and uses a removable inner sock for comfort. None of that was designed with rooftop climbing in mind.

Beerkus wore the cream and black colorway, which pairs a light outer shell with a dark inner bootie. That contrast between the two parts of the shoe is one of its defining design details. The shoe has built a following as a bold, unconventional lifestyle choice. Its appearance on the Empire State Building spire adds an unusual chapter to that story.

Nikolau and Beerkus entered the building the night before and hid overnight before making their climb. Investigators confirmed they accessed the top through a 102nd-floor maintenance hatch.

Read More: Ultra-Rare Awake NY Air Jordan 5 “Statue Of Liberty” Sample Unveiled

The post The Empire State Building Climber’s Shoe Choice Has People Talking appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

White leather covers most of the upper, while teal accents appear on the midsole and other details. That combination naturally connects to the Statue of Liberty, which carries a similar green finish.

Baque hasn’t confirmed the Statue of Liberty as the official inspiration. However, the color story and “NY” branding on the heel make the connection difficult to ignore. The sample also shows an early version of the Awake branding. Instead of being integrated into the side, the label’s “A” logo is stitched directly onto the ankle area.

That detail suggests this pair was produced early in the design process before the retail version was finalized. Samples like this rarely surface publicly, which makes Baque sharing it cool. He posted the shoe alongside an alternate Awake NY x Air Jordan 6 sample that used a crown logo instead of the brand’s usual slanted “A.”

The timing of both reveals connects to news that Baque joined Jordan Brand’s new Jordan Design Studio. That initiative focuses on mentoring younger creative talent. Neither sample has been confirmed for a retail release. For now, they offer a look at directions the collaboration considered before settling on its final designs.

Read More: Official Images Of The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” Are Here

Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Statue Of Liberty”

Awake NY launched in 2012 through Angelo Baque, who previously worked as creative director at Supreme. The brand has built a following around New York City identity, using bold graphics and culturally specific references. The teal and white combination reads immediately as a nod to the landmark’s oxidized copper surface.

The retail Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 took a darker approach with navy and infrared tones. This white and teal sample goes the opposite direction entirely. Aside from the color difference, the sample’s branding placement also reveals how the design evolved.

Read More: Sexyy Red Posts Pictures From Tay Keith’s Funeral: “I Will Never Forget You”

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Dodger blue covers most of the upper, midsole, and outsole throughout. That consistent color blocking keeps the Dodgers connection front and center without needing team logos.

Red baseball-style stitching runs along the heel panel as the shoe’s standout detail. That element pulls directly from a baseball’s seam pattern rather than the team’s branding. A silver Swoosh with white outlining sits on each side panel for contrast. Kobe Bryant’s two jersey numbers, 8 and 24, appear on the inner tongue in separate graphic tags.

Kobe was a well-known Dodgers fan throughout his playing career. The LA Dodgers have kept that connection alive through in-stadium tributes and annual events since his passing.

Nike launched the first Dodgers-themed Kobe release on the Kobe 6 in 2025, which moved quickly. This follow-up on the Kobe 5 suggests the Dodgers theme could become a recurring series.

Earlier sample images suggested photo insoles featuring Kobe at a Dodgers game. Official images confirm a cleaner retail setup without those insoles. More details may surface as the release date gets closer.

Read More: Sexyy Red Posts Pictures From Tay Keith’s Funeral: “I Will Never Forget You”

Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers”

The Kobe 5 Protro originally released in 2009 during one of Bryant’s most dominant stretches. He wore the silhouette throughout the 2009-10 NBA season, which ended with a championship. Bringing it into the Dodgers series adds another layer of Los Angeles culture to an already LA-centric shoe.

Red baseball stitching sits near the heel, wrapping around the collar area. That detail mirrors the look of actual baseball stitching rather than just using team colors. Blue suede-like panels layer over the main upper for added texture.

Jersey numbers 8 and 24 on the tongue tabs reference Bryant’s two separate Lakers careers. Each number sits inside a graphic that resembles an old television frame. That callback gives the shoe a nostalgic detail beyond the Dodgers theme.

Read More: Floyd Mayweather Denies Rumors Of Being Broke In New Cam’ron Interview

The post Official Images Of The Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dodgers” Are Here appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: July 3, 2026 (official)

Genre: Hip-Hop

Tracklist of HIM

1. shootin
2. beep beep
3. mona lisa
4. maybach
5. f**k tsa
6. change on me
7. u not a demon
8. medicine taste like s**t
9. high off life
10. problems
11. snapchat
12. strong
13. 10k on a dog
14. sumthin different
15. team x
16. killin
17. $ mf
18. pocket bag
19. young ho
20. sallys
21. goin dumb
22. breesh breesh
23. hywds
24. bliss
25. kriss kross
26. sonder
27. forever never

The post HIM – Album by Nettspend appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“I love you tay I will never ever forget about u ever #MyBruddersKeeper,” she captioned her post. The photo dump featured various pics of her all-black outfit, whether it was getting ready, in the car, or at the ceremony’s various parts. The late producer’s sister chimed into Sexyy’s comments section with a thankful and loving message.

“Thank you sooo much for coming,” she wrote. “My brother LOVED YOU! My family and I appreciate you! We Locked in forever! And y’all still Shaq and Kobe!!”

Other folks who attended Tay Keith’s funeral include BlocBoy JB and Turbo. It was an emotional experience, but Keith’s loved ones will continue to celebrate his life far beyond this occasion.

Read More: Tay Keith’s Signature Sound Lives On Through These 10 Songs

Sexyy Red’s Tay Keith Tribute

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A post shared by SEXYY RED (@sexyyred)

Sexyy Red recently addressed the Tay Keith label situation in a letter to the judge concerning the lawsuit against her label, Rebel Music. While the suit reportedly named her, she had nothing to do with those payment issues, which both camps have since clarified they are in an amicable process of resolution for.

Elsewhere, Sexyy Red and Tay Keith made many bangers together, and she became one of his most frequent and close collaborators over the past ten years. Keith’s production resumé speaks for itself: some of the biggest late 2010s and 2020s hits from Drake, Travis Scott, and many more owe themselves to the Memphis native’s talents.

“BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT WE BROTHERS BUT NOT RELATED,” Sexyy wrote in one of her initial posts paying tribute to Keith’s memory. “I LOVE YOU BRUDDAAA @taykeith STILL DA BEST DUO US 5LIFE.”

Hip-hop is still mourning, and this still doesn’t feel real to many fans, loved ones, and peers. But his legacy will live on and the culture will always be grateful for what he gave to the world.

Rest In Peace Tay Keith.

Read More: Ludacris & Nate Dogg Made One Of Hip Hop’s Greatest Collabs With “Area Codes”

The post Sexyy Red Posts Pictures From Tay Keith’s Funeral: “I Will Never Forget You” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

DJ Akademiks TV shared a few livestream highlights from the commentator on Instagram, starting with an initial reaction to the video. He commented on how Guwop allegedly tried to walk away from the camera in the alleged clip, but couldn’t due to the gun-brandishing individual in his way.

Ak also theorized that Shiesty allegedly got mad because he wanted a “clean video” of Gucci confirming he’s dropping him from 1017 Records, so he could share it online. He pointed out how unintelligent it is to allegedly feature a firearm in the video, and posited the alleged perpetrators might have already allegedly robbed the Atlanta rapper by the time they allegedly recorded the video.

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A post shared by Akademiks TV (@djakademikstv)

In another clip, DJ Akademiks spoke on Gucci Mane’s alleged demeanor in the video. “Gucci doesn’t look scared to me,” he remarked. “What Gucci looks like is, ‘Alright, you got me… You got the drop on me. What more do you want me to say? You got it.’ I don’t know if that does anything for his reputation. Some people feel like he was definitely scared… It doesn’t look like he’s scared here. He’s on some… ‘Whatever.’ […] He doesn’t seem to be cowering… That’s not how Gucci’s coming off.”

Read More: Ludacris & Nate Dogg Made One Of Hip Hop’s Greatest Collabs With “Area Codes”

Gucci Mane & Pooh Shiesty Video

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A post shared by Akademiks TV (@djakademikstv)

Other reactions to the Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty video include some conflicting remarks from Charleston White. While he previously blasted Guwop as a snitch, he most recently tore Shiesty apart for the alleged recording and how “arrogant” he was.

Elsewhere, Pooh Shiesty’s former lawyer reacted to the scandal. Bradford Cohen called the clip “nasty work” and expressed his belief that the prosecutors’ case isn’t strong.

We will see if Gucci himself has anything else to say about this. He already dropped a diss track about the situation, which already garnered much controversy.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

The post DJ Akademiks Reacts To Alleged Pooh Shiesty & Gucci Mane Video appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ahmed/The Ears caught a clip on Twitter, which features the two men talking in a boxing gym. The Dipset MC asked the legendary boxer whether his recent moves and planned matches are due to a money issue or if he’s just rolling his career along as usual.

“Nobody has taken none of my properties away from me,” Mayweather expressed. “I still got all my houses, I still got everything. My mother, my whole family, their bills are still paid. Still pay all my employees… The Black community have been paying money for years to come see me fight… You bet it on Floyd ’cause I prove that I’m 100% when I get in that ring… They believe in me… After they go home, and they got everything they won, they’re praying on my downfall. We don’t want to see Floyd win nothing… It’s this lawsuit, it’s that lawsuit… I get myself out of the situation… It’s not me… I’m the biggest name… Who they gon’ point the finger at? […] I ain’t got social media on my phone. I’m too focused on building generational wealth… At the end of the day, I’m good.”

Read More: Ludacris & Nate Dogg Made One Of Hip Hop’s Greatest Collabs With “Area Codes”

Cam’ron Interviews Floyd Mayweather

Killa caught some more remarks on Twitter, in which Floyd said media outlets are pushing this narrative to discredit him. All in all, he discredited all the scandalous speculation about him and affirmed his people are doing great.

Cam’ron’s spoken about Floyd Mayweather before, specifically about not being too excited for the Manny Pacquiao rematch. Ironically, this fight is also a subject of some of Floyd Mayweather’s legal trouble.

As for how the boxer will handle the cases against him, we don’t have any big updates on where these matters have gone at press time. But according to Mayweather, he has more than enough ability to combat these claims, maybe lose, and still have boatloads of wealth to his name.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

The post Floyd Mayweather Denies Rumors Of Being Broke In New Cam’ron Interview appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: July 3, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Prolific (due August 14)

Quotable Lyrics from All Summer

Valley b***h, she pulling LA, let her drive my foreign,
Ratchet b***h, she just complain about what I’m doing,
I’ma take it state to state and get money while a n***a touring,
Pop that Perky, it gon’ take me where I’m going

The post All Summer – Song by Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux feat. BH appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“FUNNY HOW QUIET IT GETS WHEN YOU SELL OUT ARENAS STATE TO STATE,” the agency tweeted yesterday (Thursday, July 2). They also responded to Complex‘s coverage of these tweets with a simple quote-tweet: “DONT BE DUMB COMPLEX.” Finally (at press time), they clowned a fan who asked them to get the Harlem creative a “professional social media manager.” “YOU’RE HIRED DUMMIE,” the page wrote.

A$AP Rocky recently responded to criticism towards him at a tour stop, although it didn’t just involve tour numbers. “F**k the Internet. First they was saying the n***a was wearing thongs. Then they was saying n***a’s shows wasn’t selling out, nobody wasn’t coming. Then n***as saying I’m disrespectful to my wife. Suck my d**k, n***a.”

Read More: Ludacris & Nate Dogg Made One Of Hip Hop’s Greatest Collabs With “Area Codes”

What Is A$AP Rocky’s AWGE?

For those unaware, AWGE is A$AP Rocky’s creative agency and label. It dates all the way back to 2014, but has become much more prominent in more recent years due to Rocky’s other creative endeavors and big projects. Whether it’s brand collaborations, fashion strides, or social media managing like these “selective reporting” call-outs, AWGE is at the forefront of the A$AP Mob boss’ public image.

Elsewhere, A$AP Rocky’s Drake beef is still kicking. It wasn’t ever going to go away, but the ICEMAN cut “Burning Bridges” going viral is keeping it fresh.

For example, Drizzy recently hit the “Where she at?” celebration at Portugal and Croatia’s FIFA World Cup game in Toronto, and fans couldn’t help but bring Rocky up despite having nothing to do with the soccer match. But the Don’t Be Dumb tour is a nice distraction.

Meanwhile, AWGE’s main social media activity now is taking stock of all the fans asking for the second disc or deluxe edition of Don’t Be Dumb. We’ll see when it lands.

Read More: The 25 Best Rap Albums Of 2026 So Far

The post A$AP Rocky Checks The Haters With Sold-Out Shows Via His AWGE Agency appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

That 20-year gap makes it one of the longest waits for any Air Jordan 5 colorway. It also holds a specific place in Jordan Brand history as the first ever women’s exclusive Air Jordan 5.

White leather covers most of the upper, with translucent mesh side panels throughout. Orange detailing shows up on the Jumpman lace lock and shark-tooth midsole graphic.

The midsole then shifts into fire red lower down, which gave the shoe its “Sunset” nickname. A reflective grey tongue and red interior lining round out the rest of the build.

Jordan Brand kept the 2026 version close to the original 2006 build. The colorway arrives as part of a wider trend of mid-2000s Jordan retros this year. The “Sunset” fits naturally given how long it’s been off shelves.

Original 2006 pairs have become scarce on the secondary market over time. The 2026 retro gives buyers their first real chance at the colorway in two decades. The shoe releases exclusively in women’s sizing, consistent with its original format.

Read More: Joe Budden Calls DJ Akademiks To Explain Charlamagne Tha God Drama

Air Jordan 5 “Sunset”

The Air Jordan 5 “Sunset” originally dropped in September 2006 during the shoe’s lifestyle era. That period saw Jordan Brand experiment with colorways beyond the traditional Bulls palette. “Sunset” stood out immediately for its warm, citrus-driven tones on a mostly white base. It also marked the first time Jordan Brand built a women’s exclusive around the Air Jordan 5 silhouette.

The shoe’s shark-tooth midsole graphic does most of the color work on this pair. Orange fills the jagged teeth near the top before shifting into fire red at the base. That gradient is what earned the colorway its name. Orange also appears on the Jumpman logo at the lace lock and tongue area.

The 2026 retro stays faithful to that original build without adding new materials or updates. For buyers who missed 2006, September 25 marks a straightforward second opportunity.

Read More: 7-Eleven Files Lawsuit Against Nike Over Air Max 95 Color Scheme

The post Air Jordan 5 “Sunset” Gets A New Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.