As 2017 comes to a close, many sneakerheads are already shifting their focus to what lies ahead in 2018, and with good reason. For instance, classic sneakers such as the "Black Cement" Air Jordan 3, "Concord" Air Jordan 11, Nike LeBron 3, and all of Allen Iverson's signature Reebok sneakers are reportedly on deck for next year.
But before we get into what's in store for 2018, it's worth reflecting on some of the great sneakers that dropped this year, specifically those with hip-hop ties. As the sneaker culture continues to grow, more and more collaborative projects are to be expected, and that includes sneakers designed by hip-hop artists, djs, and personalities.
In previous years we witnessed kicks designed by Kanye West, Cam'Ron and Pusha T, all of whom continued to do so this year. Additionally, 2017 also opened the door for some new artists including Travis Scott, The Weeknd and Skepta.
All of the major brands, including Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Converse and Puma released at least one sneaker collab this year, which paves the way for bigger and better projects down the line.
Scroll down as we show love to 10 of the best hip-hop sneaker collabs of the year.
Pusha T x Adidas EQT Support Ultra "Bodega Babies"
Available Here
Pusha T and Adidas dropped another EQT collab this year, which featured the beloved primeknit upper accompanied by fish scale accents, something that has become a running theme on Pusha's Adidas collabs.
Dubbed the "Bodega Babies" aka the "Brown Paper Bag" Adidas EQT, the kicks come dressed in shades of tan which are offset by the coke white Boost midsole and outsole that sits beneath. Playing into the bodega theme, the shoe’s will actually come in a “Brown Paper Bag” inside the shoe box.
Pusha T has used various street themes on his previous Adidas collabs including the "Greyscale" Adidas EQT as well as the "King Push" and "Black Market" colorways of his favorite Adidas silhouette.
The kicks originally dropped in early November for the retail price of $220, and are still available via Adidas right now.
Cam'Ron x DMX Run 10 "Harlem Nights"
Available Here
Reebok Classic and Cam'Ron just recently launched their latest sneaker collab, which comes in the form of the Reebok DMX Run 10. The latest shoe collaboration in Cam’Ron and Reebok’s longstanding relationship strays from the Reebok Ventilator Supreme that the past two collaborations have focused on and steps into the future with the DMX Run 10 silhouette.
Inspired by Harlem Nights, the DMX Run 10 Cam'Ron silhouette features a murdered out colorway that includes a number of unique attributes including pony hair accents and glow in the dark materials.
According to Reebok, this refreshing take on the Reebok DMX Run 10 also highlights material reminiscent of tilapia, Cam’Ron's favorite meal. Pony hair adorns the shoe, paying homage to Cam's signature fur coat and the black and purple ice outsole is mixed with glow in the dark material as a nod to his first release, "Confessions of Fire," as well as his favorite color, purple.
Finishing off the look, the metal badge on the tongue of the new shoe highlights Cam’Ron’s nickname, “Killa” and the tongue webbing, sockliner and packaging is inspired by a variety of his well-known lyrics and music videos.
@reebokclassics thank you🙏🏾 another successful pair of #Fleeboks #FleeBarcelona
Kanye West x Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2
Available Nowhere, unless you're willing to spend $500+
Kanye West and Adidas released several pairs of the beloved Yeezy Boost 350 V2 this year, including some of the most colorful pairs to date, which makes the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 one of the top collabs of 2017.
In addition the electric "Semi-Frozen Yellow" colorway and the "Beluga 2.0" that released in November, Adidas will be closing out 2017 with a brand new "Blue Tint" rendition of the V2s on December 16th.
When the year officially comes to a close, Kanye and Adidas will have released six separate Yeezy Boost 350 V2s in 2017, which includes the all-white "Cream" colorway, a predominately black "Bred" joint, and the wildly popular "Zebra" V2.
Unfortunately, if you missed out on any of the aforementioned sneaker releases, you'll shell out more than double the $220 retail price to get your hands on a pair via secondary markets such as Flight Club.
Tyler, the Creator x Converse Golf le Fleur
Available Here
Tyler, the Creator and Converse teamed up on a reworked version of the classic One Star sneaker this year, resulting in the Golf le Fleur signature shoe. The kicks released in three separate colorways including, “Jolly Green,” “Solar Power,” and “Vanilla," all of which were built on suede uppers.
Additionally, the kicks feature a flower in place the usual Converse star, a GOLF le FLEUR graphic on the tongue, a white midsole, and a yellow and white floral design on the sole.
The shoes cost $100 a pop when they officially launched, but can still be purchased in the $130-$140 range at spots like Stadium Goods.
THE "UNO" BY GOLF le FLEUR* - cc: @converse - NOV 2ND: (first release seoul, korea, this wednesday)
Skepta x Nike Air Max 97
Available Here
British-Nigerian rapper Skepta teamed up with Nike for a special edition Air Max 97 collab in September, inspired by his love for Morocco and the unique 1999 Air Tuned Max sneaker.
Just as his new clothing label, Mains, was inspired by a visit to the Moroccan town of Essouira, so is his latest collaboration with Nike, which released one year after he created his own Nike Air Max BW.
The upper of the Air Max 97 Sk features an iridescent, polyutherane-coated, copper/rose gold leather paired with black sandwich mesh and an HF weld of the Swoosh logo, instead of an embroidered Swoosh. It draws inspiration from the colors of the 1999 Air Tuned Max, including the yellow air unit.
According to Nike, the Air Max 97 Sk has Nike Ultra tooling that reduces the original shoe's weight and highlights its signature lines in a single-layer upper. It also introduces new Air-Sole PSI levels and softer foam density in the midsole. Additionally, the print on the insole is inspired by Moroccan patterns, the all-new SK logo pays homage to the Air Max TN logo and is in the shape of a UK electrical outlet. The braided embroidery along the tongue and heel references the embellished sportswear Skepta saw locals wearing during trips to Morocco.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Force 1
Available in select sizes at spots like Flight Club
In celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the iconic Nike Air Force 1, Nike has collaborated with visionaries from around the world to collaborate on the shoe’s defining colorway, white on white.
Among those chosen to experiment with the Nike Air Force 1 for the sneaker's 35th ann'y was Travis Scott, who crafted a show which features a canvas upper with multi-color reflective detailing, removable Swoosh logos, upside down Nike Air branding on the heel, and Velcro patches.
“I looked at the making of this shoe the same way I make an album. I wanted it to tell a story about me. I set the tone to go crazy at my shows. I’m the acid of rap.”
Senior Creative Director Nike Sportswear, Lead Designer Al Baik expanded on how they incorporated that mindset in the Air Force 1 Low Travis Scott,
“When we first met with Travis, the first thing he said was, ‘I’m the acid of rap.’ It was a prompt to take a classic but then really trip it out. We brought this idea to life by making the binding around the canvas reflective, so when it hits light, it reflects various colors.
At first glance, it’s seemingly one color, but at a different angle, it has layers and depth to it. To mix up the look, the swoosh is Velcro and comes with three different articulations of the Swoosh. Customizable patches are based on his label artwork, and the dubrae is comprised of Travis’ grill.”
Future x Reebok Furykaze
Available Here
In November, Reebok and Future officially released his first signature shoe, the Furykaze, which combines the beloved Instapump Fury and the Kamikaze II. Reebok first launched the Furykaze in a "Sandstone" colorway but followed up that release with the always popular "Triple Black" colorway just a few weeks back.
Inspired by the Scorpion, Future's astrological sign, the texture of the Furykaze's suede upper is reminiscent of the hair on the scorpion's tail, claws and legs, while the molded vamps emanate the ribbed body. The TPU heel collar also mimics the flexibility of the scorpion's tail and folds easily down for ease of wear.
Additionally, Freebandz stars are included on the suede loop at the heel and "Freebandz" is etched into the chrome screw on lace tips.
Pharrell x Adidas NMD HU Trail
Available in the $400-$500 range at spots like Flight Club
Pharrell and Adidas release a number of different styles in 2017, including four new colorways of the beloved "Human Race" NMD Trail.
Among the colorways of the NMD Hu Trail that released were the “Pale Nude,” “Sun Glow,” “Core Black” and the “Noble Ink” joint which has "Body" and "Earth" text on the right and left shoe, respectively.
Each feature the familiar overall silhouette and design that was used on the original "Human Race" NMDs, with the addition of a rugged trail-inspired outsole.
They all retailed for $250 each and sold out almost instantly, but if you're willing to spend double the price you can still find select sizes.
This version of the Pharrell x NMD Trail 'Human Race' features white "Body" and "Earth" embroidery on the Primeknit upper. Available on the app and https://t.co/NY0Z2EJuxw: https://t.co/07c90Kv7TJ pic.twitter.com/P0z6d0n3UZ
The Weeknd x Puma XO Parallel
Available Here
The Weeknd's kicks, which have been dubbed the Puma XO Parallel, made their retail debut in August for $220. His first Puma collaboration draws on inspiration from military boots and classic high-top basketball shoes, with a premium lifestyle twist.
In an interview with Footwear News, The Weeknd spoke about his first footwear collab, as well as some of the people he hopes to see rocking the Puma Parallel.
Per Footwear News,
“We’ve been working with Puma for almost a year, and everyone is more than ready to get the sneakers out,” The Weeknd told FN in an exclusive interview. “I was nervous at first, but when I finally got to hold the product, I immediately fell in love. I think people will like it.”
“To be honest, I just want to see everyone wearing it,” he said. “I want it to be part of pop culture. I want to walk down the street and see kids wearing it and women wearing it. I want to see the pope wearing it. I want to see [Barack] Obama wearing it. I want to see Elon Musk wearing it.”
The Puma XO Parallel originally released in an off white colorway, but has since released in two additional colorways including "Olive" and "Triple Black."
Virgil Abloh x Nike "The Ten" Collection
Available only at select consignment shops
Nike and Virgil Abloh teamed up for "The Ten" Collection this year, which includes some of the most sought after sneakers of 2017. “The Ten” features ten iconic silhouettes of the Nike, Jordan, and Converse brands, making for one major collaborative project.
The full collection is broken up into two categories, “Revealing” and “Ghosting."
The "Revealing" set, designed to look accessible (hand-cut, open-source and reconstructed), includes the Air Jordan I, Nike Air Max 90, Nike Air Presto, Nike Air VaporMax and Nike Blazer Mid.
The “Ghosting” category includes translucent versions of the Converse Chuck Taylor, Nike Zoom Fly SP, Nike Air Force 1 Low, Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 and Nike Air Max 97.
