Image via Complex Original
Drake may never be more buzzworthy than he is right now. After his new album, Nothing Was The Same, leaked last week, a simple glance at Twitter will find someone quoting lyrics from the album, which officially releases tomorrow. While there is no denying his popularity or his sneaker game, it's hard to really give the artist formerly known as Wheelchair Jimmy full credit as a tried and true sneakerhead. In fact, it seems he may be just playing the role to fit in with the cool kids. Then again, who doesn't want to pretend to be a sneakerhead right now? Shit, we do too. Fake it 'til you make it, bruh. Check out 10 Reasons Drake Is Not a Sneakerhead and let us know if you give Drizzy sneakerhead approval or the trying too hard stamp.
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He DOESN'T TRY to be one.
Let's be honest, Drake is doing his own thing and that's not bad at all. Drake's home country of Canada is still foreign to most of us as is their definition of what is accepted, and this could be completely normal to most Canucks. Truth be told, Drake just looks like he's having fun without worrying about what's acceptable in sneaker culture. Not every rapper has to spew off a list of hyperstrikes like Wale, so Drake's irreverence is endearing.
Acknowledged the "YOLO" custom Fly Wade - was okay with it.
In a revealing interview with Tim Westwood from 2011, Drake notices that Tim is in fact wearing shoes with his viral phrase "YOLO" (You Only Live Once) on them. At first he's bewildered, even kicking up his own feet to show off his True Blue Jordan III's. And then...he's completely OK with it. Nevermind the garish colorway, and the absolute corniness of the stitching-we get the feeling that Drake wanted a pair of these for himself.
Careless treatment of sneakers.
I'm all for a fun vacation but jumping in a pool with your sneakers on is a scary sight, whether I can buy 10 new pairs or not. In the video for "Started From The Bottom," Drizzy does his best impersonation of Greg Louganis into the deep end of a pool...with Jordans on. I mean look at him pour the water out of the shoe like it's a chalice! Wheelchair Jimmy never meant for shoes to be disrespected in this manner, Drake.
Cant keep his shoes out of the shot.
Bottles. Shoes. Bottles and shoes. We get it, you stay fresh and you can buy $1,000 bottles of champagne. But when was the last time you waited in line for 12 hours, huh?
The Red Wing boot obsession.
As early as 2010, Drake could be seen primarily in Red Wing boots. Nothing wrong with that of course, as the Red Wing brand is very prestigious, but Drake goes the extra mile on 2010's Thank Me Later by branding he and his OVO crew as the "Red Wing Boot Gang". He went back to Jordans and Nikes shortly after. Pick a side and stay there, Drake.
Very few sneaker references in his music.
Upon close inspection of Drake's ever-growing body of music, he doesn't really actually rap or make references to sneakers a whole lot. What gives, Aubrey? I like to shed tears on my White Cement 4s just like anyone else. Then again, maybe he just doesn't want to be seen as "the emo Wale."
Notorious for sneaker selfies.
The sneaker selfie, a trope that Drake takes part in but should really know better. Drake, It's hard to argue that your music is dope when it's so easy to find pics of you making kiss faces with general releases in your hands. Sheesh.
He makes questionable outfit decisions.
Deny it or not, the proper configuration of sneakers to outfits is essential and Drake...well he more often than not looks like he got dressed in a cave. It's cool to have the latest and greatest on feet, but when the rest looks like a closet vomited on you, well...you've missed the point.
Is often seen in trendy or hyped releases.
It's not uncommon for celebs to get hook-ups, it's a part of the game. Drake however skips his own considerable backlog (according to his collection) of heat and chooses to only perform in Jordans that are released within weeks of a major performance. Examples: Fear 4s during OVO Fest 2013 or the Jordan VI/VII Olympic Pack at last year's OVO Fest. Go deeper, bro.
He denied that he ever wore fakes, even though these were clearly fakes.
I'm sure you have all seen the picture of Drizzys uh...flamboyant Air Jordan V's from years ago. Drake went on record to say that they were custom made, but honestly NOTHING about this looks custom whatsoever. A sneakerhead learns from their mistakes, but Drake should have really known better than denying that he got some Canal Street looking J's.
