Image via Complex Original
It's hard to believe it has been a decade since Kanye West cheated death in a car accident and the Chicago native took full advantage, transforming from one of the most promising up-and-coming producers to arguably the biggest pop culture icon in the world. Everything he does makes headlines on every news outlet, a website is dedicated to his often imitated sense of style, and every new track or album he drops causes social media traffic spikes at ridiculous rates — he wasn't far off when he compared himself to Michael in his prime. During his run as the King he has put out a few albums that are going down in history as classics and along the way he took every chance to showcase his passion for fashion — especially sneakers. And when the first non-athlete to get a Nike signature shoe talks about kicks (our friends at Nice Kicks charted his and Jay's Michael Jordan references) we figured we should take notes. Check our Guide To Kanye West's Lyrical Sneaker References and let us know which bars were the best.
The Truth Freestyle
"Just look at my outfit, I got all the basics
Air Force, check — Rolex, check"
Song: "The Truth Freestyle"
Album: Miscellaneous Mixtapes
Year: 2002
In 2002, Air Force 1s were flying off the shelf faster than any other Nike. Kind of like now. While Kanye was trying to get his name ringing out as an emcee, he jumped on the Graham Nash "Chicago" sampled beat he did for Beanie Sigel to let the people know his closet was up to par. Was he just warming up? Check.
Heavy Hitters
"(When the album comin' out?) Man the peoples is askin'
Yamamoto adidas, ya sick with the fashion
Ya already got dough, so ya spit for the passion"
Song: "Heavy Hitters"
Album: I'm G.O.O.D.
Year: 2003
Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and adidas debuted their first collection in Paris in October of 2002. The mix of high-end fashion with classic sports silhouettes was right up Kanye's alley — and his bank account was ready.
All Falls Down 3
"Sophomore three years, aint picked a career
She like f**k it, I'll just stay down here and do hair
Cause that's enough money to buy her a few pairs of new Airs
Cause her baby daddy don't really care"
Song: All Falls Down
Album: College Dropout
Year: 2004
There are dangers in settling, and easy ways to justify skipping out on the hard work of growing up. If your definition of success is just being able to afford a few pairs of new AF1s every now and then, by all means, dropping out of college might seem like a good idea. But you should really want more.
All Falls Down 2
'Then I spent 400 bucks on this
Just to be like ni**a you ain't up on this
And I can't even go to the grocery store without some ones that's clean
and a shirt with a team'
Song: "All Falls Down"
Album: College Dropout
Year: 2004
Kanye West with an ode to the dangers of rampant materialism? Well, he would know best. And while he does conspicuous consumption with the best of them, at least he's fully aware of the reasons why. Although, even at this point of his career, fresh Air Force 1s and a matching tee wasn't gonna break the bank, even if he replaced them every day.
All Falls Down
'Cause they make us hate ourself and love they wealth
That's why shortys hollering "where the ballas' at?"
Drug dealer buy Jordans, crackhead buy crack
And a white man get paid off of all of that'
Song: "All Falls Down"
Album: College Dropout
Year: 2004
Three sneaker references in one track? Kanye had a message to deliver, and wanted to make sure the audience understood. There's a difference between being able to afford an expensive sneaker, and getting the money that all the hundreds of thousands of people spent on those expensive sneakers. This was a lesson he'd demonstrate soon enough.
Back to Basics
"Lets take it back to basics
When shit gets worse we Converse
How we need a New Balance before the lines get crossed like ASICS
Just look at what we got, if we don't shoot the Reeboks"
Song: "Back to Basics"
Album: Late Registration (Bonus Cut)
Year: 2005
'Ye kicks off the "Corners Part 3" verse with a play on words, name-dropping multiple sneaker brands just to let you know his art is an imitation of the sneaker life — and maybe it was a little subliminal shoutout to the Genius as well.
May 25th Intro
"And the Jordans is the sixes"
Song: "Friday Morning, May 25, 2007"
Album: Can't Tell Me Nothing - The Official Mixtape
Year: 2007
Kanye kicked off his last official mixtape release talking his shit to promote Graduation. Yeezy spends about 30 seconds in the booth big-uppin' his own outfit including his favorite Jordans...the sixes. Considering how many times he's been seen in them since then, this wasn't just a throwaway line.
Everything I Am
"OK fair enough, the streets is flarin' up
'cause they want gun-talk, or I don't wear enough
baggy clothes, Reeboks, or adidas
can I add that he do spaz out at his shows"
Song: "Everything I Am"
Album: Graduation
Year: 2007
Kanye self-reflects a little bit and points out the obvious fact that he isn't trying to be someone that he's not. Although there's a difference between "enough" and "none," as 'Ye showed with his willingness to don both Jeremy Scott (once they paired up in 2008) and Y-3 adis.
The Glory
"My hat, my shoes, my coat, Louis Vuitton stitch, with Donatella Versace,
That's Louis Vuitton bitch"
Song: "The Glory"
Album: Graduation
Year: 2007
Was he in the booth already gloating his work for his upcoming LV sneaker line? Either way Kanye was starting to stack more than just Nikes and Jordans, during his Graduation promotion it was nothing to see Yeezy rocking more high-end kicks to go with his ever-expanding wardrobe.
Down
"Grab your remote, for the reason they made TIVO
Snap your Nikons with the icons with Nikes on"
Song: "Down"
Album: Exclusive (Chris Brown)
Year: 2007
More money, more problems. Kanye's pop star status may have created a few paparazzi run-ins, but the results are greatly appreciated. As is Kanye's ability to point the lyrical lens at himself — he knows the deal.
We Fight We Love Remix
"When I fight you fight
We don't fight fair
So I guess I'll See You In My Nightmares
Just remember I made you like my Nike Air"
Song: "We Fight/We Love Remix"
Album: We Fight/We Love Remix (Q-Tip)
Year: 2009
We don't condemn fighting with your chick, but sometimes heated words take place — that said, comparing her to your own sneaker is a pretty crazy thing to throw in her face. That one migh be a dealbreaker.
Im The Ish
"I got them Yeezys on my feet I got them Louis in the store
And I dropped another album 'fore we finished up the tour"
Song: "I'm The Ish (Remix)"
Album: Unknown
Year: 2009
DJ Class picked the right dude to jump on the remix and after a sick year with his Yeezy and LV releases it was only appropriate that 'Ye took a moment to bask in the glory. From copping hundred-dollar sneakers to designing thousand-dollar ones, Kanye West had come an awful long way in a couple of short years.
Run This Town
"Reebok, baby, you need to try some new things
Have you ever had shoes without shoestrings?
What’s that, Ye? Baby, these heels
Is that a May-what? Baby, these wheels"
Song: "Run This Town"
Album: The Blueprint 3 (Jay-Z)
Year: 2009
There are times for a girl to wear sneakers, and times for her to wear shoes. The key is knowing when to wear which. We have to agree with Kanye, here — you should be wearing heels or pumps from time to time, and we don't mean Omni Lites. (And that's May-BACH.)
See Me Now
"Somebody need to put us on camera
The world of Rollies and everyone families
Stay Jordan fresh, suits and Ferraris
Cute, your shorty watch Barneys, we at de Bonny’s"
Song: "See Me Now"
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Year: 2010
During this time, Kanye was all about his “Rosewood” movement where him and his crew would only be seen wearing suits, but after a few months Mr.West was back to mixing high-fashion with the old reliable classic Jordans. Imagine if the paps actually caught ‘Ye wearing a suit with Jordans? Proms would never be the same.
Runaway Love
"Stuntin' in our high-top Louie's, shorts is the Coogis
Open up the door when you take her to the movies"
Song: "Runaway Love (Remix)"
Album: G.O.O.D Friday Release
Year: 2010
Having your own Louis Vuitton sneaker on when you take a girl out has to significantly up your odds of getting some on the first date. As does being a proper gentleman — Kanye might brag a lot, but he still knows that chivalry counts.
Mercy
"Now everybody is movin' they body
Don't sell me apartment, I'll move in the lobby
Niggas is loiterin' just to feel important
You gon' see lawyers and n***as in Jordans"
Song: "Mercy"
Album: Cruel Summer
Year: 2012
Kind of a neat flip here, as Kanye isn't talking about himself in Jordans anymore, but still acknowledging their presence on the street and in his circle. And while it's not like he's completely abandoned Js, it's a little harder to wear another man's logo on your feet when you've got your own.
New God Flow
"Hold up, I ain't trying to stunt, man
But the Yeezys jumped over the Jumpman"
Song: "New God Flow"
Album: Cruel Summer
Year: 2012
Kanye's latest lines have him comparing himself to the man that made the sneaker relevant. Was he talking specifically about the summer of 2012, or is he actually claiming overall sneaker supremacy? We discuss it at some length here.
