The 50 Greatest Rap Sneaker Co-Signs of All Time

Did Run DMC have any idea what they set into motion when they dropped "My Adidas?" It was a dope song, but when one adidas representive shed a tear as he saw thousands of fans hold up their kicks while the trio performed the song, it became iconic. The representative told his executives about the experience and soon Run DMC became the first hip-hop act to sign an endorsement deal with a major company—which seemed ludicrous at the time because many saw hip-hop as just a fad in 1986. Decades later, hip-hop still exists and the adidas Superstar is embedded into hip-hop lore.

This legend was grew from a simple co-sign. With that co-sign, hip-hop and sneaker culture became almost inseparable and grew into a huge part of the American ethos. The co-sign also became symbolic of hip-hop's growing voice and influence. Shouting out brands like Nike and your own sneaker collection was not only a claim to some sort of rap credibility, it influenced others to look into these kicks. Big-upping sick Js and rejecting FILA were a part of the culture, and being part of that culture meant more revenue for the companies—unintentionally or not. It was a win-win situation.

Whether it was for the sake of lyricism or to promote their own brand, Gucci ripoffs, or what-have-you, co-signs have always been a mainstay in hip-hop culture—unlike the Master P sneakers. Here's the 50 Greatest Rap Sneaker Co-Signs of All Time.

RELATED: The 50 Greatest Sneaker References in Rap History
RELATED: 25 Outdated Sneaker References in Rap

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Whole time, see that fly shit I've been on/All the girlfriends fall in line from my spin off/That's game bitch ain't shit/Nudies and some J Six"
Artist: Wale
Track Title: "Pandemonium"

Are the Air Jordan VI "Infrareds" one of the best ever? Of course. So it'd make sense for sneakerhead Wale to give it a shouout.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Fuck lookin cute, I'm strictly Timb boots and Army-certified suits"
Artist: Havoc
Track Title: "Survival of the Fittest"

That sense of ruggedness is a huge part of Timberland's image. Straight-up not giving a fuck may not be though, but that just comes with the territory of hanging with Mobb Deep. Although Havoc loves his Timberlands, Prodigy wouldn't mind robbing a few people for some Guess apparel according to the album-closing "Party Over."

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Reebok on I just do it"
Artist: Rick Ross
Track Title: "F*ckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt"

As the amazing outro of "Hold Me Back" showed, Rick Ross is capable of some serious intrigue. Yes, he's shouting out Reebok after the company publicly dropped him after the "U.O.E.N.O" controversy, and yes, he's also referencing the famed Nike motto. As confusing it may be for some, at least we can take solace in Rick Ross (and maybe the Reebok executives) doing the money dance.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Six in the morning, police at my door/Fresh adidas squeak across my bathroom floor/Out my back window I make my escape/Didn't even get a chance to grab my old-school tape."
Artist: Ice T
Track Title: "6 N' The Morning"

This is precisely why being fresh 24/7 is of the most utmost importance. The police bust into Ice T's cream at the most inconvienient time for anybody, but thankfully those trustful adidas aren't too far away from him. It's also important to note just how high of a pedestal he's putting the brand here. He doesn't get his music, but he's fresh and free and that's all that matters for the time being.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Who wear it all I'm an adidas freak/Multi-thousand pair of sneak freak"
Artist: Raekwon
Track Title: "Sneakers"

If the title of the song didn't give you a hint, Raekwon playfully fits as many sneaker references as he possibly can. He names the usual suspects (Jordans) and some tragically outdated ones (K-Swiss), but adidas is the first brand he namedrops. Strangely, Raekwon doesn't even mention Reebok despite his "Stand on the block, Reebok, gun cocked" line off Only Built 4 Cuban Linx's "Glaciers of Ice."

Snippet:
Lyrics: "The Bentley is rented but I got many chauffeurs/Foamposites if you ain't got em then you penny-loafing"
Artist: Wale
Track Title: "Double M Genius"

It's a bit of a background lesson and co-sign mixed into one line from the Foamposite connoisseur. "Penny Loafing" is a reference to Penny Hardaway, the former NBA player who the shoe is made for. Either way, you ought to have some Foamposites in your rotation if you're trying to impress Wale. But would a modern-day Henry Hill really be wearing Foamposites? We figure he'd have a lot more on his plate than a maintaining a solid Nike collection.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Fresh dressed like a million bucks/Threw on the Bally shoes and the fly green socks"
Artist: Slick Rick The Ruler
Track Title: "La-Di-Da-Di"

Slick Rick tells a story that spans from throwing on some baby powder to a weird altercation that involves an ex and her mother. He's detailed, and the little things like throwing on Bally sneakers are what makes the journey all worthwhile. Rick's slyness throughout the situation recalls his pose on The Great Adventures of Slick Rick's album cover. It's a cool one, too, and ithe fans' pursuit of a similar coolness helped Bally shoes become one of the '80s biggest fads.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "I require, what I desire/I got stripes: Adidas
Aritst: Lil Wayne
Track Title: "Swagga Like Us"

Here's another Adidas mention in an event. This was far less in scale than Run DMC's mention, but in terms of immediate thrill, it was huge to see four of the decade's defining artist on one track. It's a sort of event that reaches multiple hip-hop demographics, which is usually a good thing if your sneaker brand ends up getting mentioned in the process.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "And these niggas talking like hoes, they mad they not in my shoes/It's the red bottom boss, came to buy the bar"
Artist: Rick Ross
Track Title: "Lord Knows"

There's usually something epic about to go down when Rick Ross mentions his Louboutins (peep his "I'm On One" verse for instance). The thing here is Drake already just took total control of the song with his massive verse on "Lord Knows." Rick Ross is working with a handicap here, but here the Louboutins is to Rick Ross as the hammer is to Thor. The beat temporarily cuts as he delivers his line before continuing along its apex. Ross powers through his verse to send the song off on a high note.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Spillin Ace on my sick Js"
Artist: Jay Z
Track Title: "Niggas In Paris"

This song was one of the biggest songs off one of the biggest albums of that year. It was played hundreds of times on the radio, times a few more on countless car sound systems. Then there's the Watch the Throne tour where the duo played the song multiple times in a row on multiple occassions. Companies envy this level of free advertising.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Not even Mike's seen Jordans in the colors I have"
Artist: Fabolous
Track Title: "We Don't Give A"

It can also mean they're a fake pair, which of course is never a good look (What's up, Big Boi?). We'd have to assume that isn't the case, since Fabolous is boldly putting that information out there. We're also gonna assume that Jordan's too busy counting his money to even notice what color Fabolous may be copping.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Blue Yankee fitted, G-Unit sneakers"
Artist: Lloyd Banks
Track Title: "Stunt 101"

These lines feel like more of a blueprint than a simple co-sign. The clarity and terseness gave the G-Unit line a "This is This" type of feel to it. As if you can go to Roca Wear and Akademics if you'd like, but the real people who were down were supposed to swing with G-Unit. It's a statement that feels all too temporary in retrospect.

It's weird to think G-Unit was actually a backup priority for Reebok given how self-assured the line was. The company decided to focus on the G-Unit brand (as well as Jay Z's S. Carter shoe) because of how the deal with LeBron James fell through. Regardless, 50 Cent apparently came out a winner in the deal as he's claimed he made about $80 million off it.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "A pair of bright phat yellow Air Max/Hit the racks, snatch 'em up, son, twenty dollars off no tax"
Artist: Ghostface Killah
Track Title: "Apollo Kids"

Common wisdom says you probably shouldn't make hasty purchases, but come on. Ghostface would've been wrong not to take that $20-off offer from the connect. It's a shame that the moment of victory gets cut short when a puddle messes up his sneakers later in the verse.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Now I step through the door in the flyest pair of Dunks/Quit lying, you ain't seen these at Foot Locker, chump"
Artist: Murs
Track Title: "Barbershop"

Could you imagine, though?

[Person A walks into barbershop]

Some Mars Blackmon in the face looking dude: Yo, those kicks are fire. What are those?

[Person A]: Wu-Tang Clan Hi Dunks

Fake Mars Blackmon: Word, I peeped those in Foot Locker the other day

Person A: **dead**

Snippet:
Lyrics: "If I ain't strapped that means I took 'em off my Nike Airs"
Artist: Sheek Louch
Track Title: "Reservoir Dogs"

Sheek doesn't absolutely have to have his Air Force Highs strapped when he's going about his daily business, but chances are he's definitely armed. At least, we know what to not think when he says he isn't strapped because any confusion could lead to dire consequences.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "On D Block, where everybody wants to be Pac / And you can get popped over the new G-Unit Reeboks"
Artist: Eminem
Track Title: "Welcome to D-Block"

Reebok could've probably done without the violent overtone of this co-sign. The company couldn't axe Eminem out of the deal for being controversial because, you know, he's not part of G-Unit. Reebok can take a small amount of solace in how Eminem is painting the demand the sneakers have though.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Breaking niggas off, cut their bank, then I'm off / While my Nikes match my Lo hat, beat joint is mad fat?"
Artist: Q-Tip
Track Title: "God Lives Through"

Electric Relaxation ends on a high note as Q-Tip marches triumphantly into the sunset wearing his matching kicks and Polo cap. Q-Tip puffs out his chest and proclaims himself a boss. He also leaves his verse unchallenged, which is probably for the best because he may just cut somebody ("Got the cutter of the Annotatebox if a kid think he's ox"). The main point here, though, is how Q-Tip leaves the album a victor, and this image of the winner is something Nike usually tries to instill with its image.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "More lines than a million pair of adidas."
Artist: Canibus
Track Title: "How We Roll"

Adidas does have a really deep catalogue, so imagining that many pairs isn't too difficult. We do have to call BS on having more lines than that many pairs though. Do we need to bring up last year's debacle to explain why?

Snippet:
Lyrics: "White tees, fitted hats, Jordans under Dickies"
Artist: Bun B
Track Title: "You're Everything"

White tees? Definitely an essential, and any fashion blog that tells you it's somehow out of fashion is completely out of its mind. Fitted hats? The Yankees cap is more popular than the damn team. Jordans? They'll always be an essential even if Yeezys do jump over the Jumpman. Dickies? Nah, fam. Take that over to the clearance rack next to Southpole.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Ice Cream sneakers, I signed my first skater / So you can pay three and buy yourself some Bapestas"
Artist: Pharrell
Track Title: "Mr. Me Too"

Mr. Me Toos are still a prevalent problem in today's culture, but there's definitely different things to copy. Ice Creams and Bape kicks were hot back in the day, but let's just say you can't co-sign those two brands without getting a few huhs. Pharrell has been having a crazy huge year though, so he might just have the power to bring those brands back if he really wanted to.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "In a fresh pair Air Force One sneakers/Uptowns, we call em uppies, when they're on divas"
Artist: Rakim
Track Title: "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)"

In commemoration of the Air Force One's 25th anniversary, Nike paid tribute to the legendary sneaker with some legendary artists. It definitely works beyond its celebratory context because there's very few lines that are actually about the sneakers. It's a plus when one of those lines comes from the God himself.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Suede Timbs on my feet make my cipher complete"
Artist: Nas
Track Title: "The World Is Yours"

It's a signature Nas line that boils immeasurable talent down to simple luxuries. It also might be a badly missed marketing opportunity from Timberland, because that actually makes a pretty good slogan. We suppose you can use the phrase to sort of portray TImberlands as the rap game's Gatorade. Except instead of athletes sweating red (Side note: wouldn't you be slightly taken aback if you were sweating red?) and physical activity in the commercials, you get Krazy-Eyed Killa-esque facial gestures and straight bars. Then the last rapper finishes his bars, stares at the camera, and the slogan comes up against a black screen: "Suede Timbs on my feet make my cipher complete." Oh what could've been.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "And I ain't rocking no more designer shit/White tees and Nike Cortez, this is red Corvette anonymous"
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Track Title: "Control"

A big reason Kendrick Lamar's verse is so huge is because of how he names names. Ironically one of the better lines is a lowkey jab at hypebeasts and wannabe rappers-turned-fashion influencers. Lamar's skill on the mic is extraordinary, but he's just a simple man chasing dope rhymes. The Nike Cortez is a symbol of that simplicity. While Lamar's at the center of the conversation, all of these other hypebeasts could take a trip to Corvette Anonymous—a place where materialists congregate instead of searching for the truth in the verse.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "The worst-hated God who perpetrated odd favors/Demonstrated in the perforated Rod Lavers/In all quad flavors, Lord save us"
Aritst: MF DOOM
Track Title: "Meat Grinder"

The co-signer has to be the right type of artist to at least make it semi-believeable. Sure, DOOM can wear Jordans or Foamposites if he wanted to, but their flashiness is a bit of a contrast to DOOM's villianous aesthetic. The understated flavor of the Rod Lavers undoubtedly works better with the masked rapper. They're stylish enough to earn him props, but lowkey enough to allow him to disappear into whatever cave he hides in between releases.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Got more adidas than a plumbers got pliers"
Artist: Beastie Boys
Track Title: "Shadrach"

Not only is this the second adidas shoutout on one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, it's also pretty nonsensical. Because let's be honest, who looks at his adidas collection and thinks, "I'm shitting all on all these plumbers' whole means of living." Regardless, having adidas on deck like this is always a good look.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "I don't know if it's the name or the Bape gum bottoms"
Artist: King Chip
Track Title: "T.G.I.F."

This co-sign had a bit more personal history than the other ones on the list. Back before Kid Cudi made a name for himself, he was a worker at New York City's Bape store. Cudi had been a fan of the brand and working for them helped him out when he was struggling in the city. It's only right he reps Bape in his breakout mixtape.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "So now I'm back spittin that "he could pass a polygraph"/That Reverend Run rockin adidas out on Hollis Ave"
Artist: Jay Electronica
Track Title: "Exhibit C"

This isn't just a co-sign of the shoe or a brand. As far as hip-hop and Adidas have come over the past few decades, the two sides will always be known for making history that summer in 1986. Adidas signed Run DMC to a $1 million endorsement deal, the first deal of its kind for hip-hop. It showed a belief that hip-hop was here to stay, and it was a mating point for two cultures that would continue to cavort throughout the decades. It's encapsulated in this line.

Lyrics: "And the Jordans is the Sixes"
Aritst: Kanye West
Track Title: "Friday Morning May 25th, 2007 (Intro)"

There's not too many cosigns out there that's bigger than Kanye West. The Jordan Infared VIs is a fan favorite without question, and its stock definitely isn't decreasing anytime soon with the amount of times Kanye West has worn them. From hanging out at basketball games to stunting over Daft Punk tracks, the Infareds are versatile for outfitting and occasions.

Snippet:

Lyrics: "S dots on my feet makes my cipher complete"
Aritst: Jay Z
Track Title: "What More Can I Say

Of course, a reference of a sneaker that blatantly rips off the Gucci tennis shoe would in itself be a rip of another line. A majority of people weren't going to care since it's about one of the most hyped sneakers ever on one of the most hyped albums of all time.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Saving up for some Jordans, cause they dope"
Artist: 2Pac
Track Title: "Better Days"

It's bleak in the ghetto as the youths are exposed to crooked cops, murders, drug dealers, and many more evils. It's as 2Pac says, "Guess we was evil since birth, product of cursed semens." When 2Pac says the line in the second verse, it's more than just a fashionable pair of sneakers; it's one of the main sources of happiness, which is essentially the feeling many Jordan ads try to convey.

Snippet:

Lyrics: "All I need/Rocawear (check)/Nike Airs (check)/Mean bucket (uh huh)/Armadale in the club couple o' duckets (yeah)"

Artist: Jay Z

After laying Shawn Carter's bare soul on "Song Cry," the rapper reassumes the Jay Z persona and restarts rise to being the King of New York in "All I Need." Jay Z already showed he got the larger-than-life persona and songcraft to complete the take over, so he doesn't need much at this point in the album. Once again, the Nike Air is an essential. We can't say the same for Rocawear nowadays though. When was the last time Jay Z even wore the brand?

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Baby blue soles. These white 11, '96 / No retro card came with this"
Artist: Currensy
Track Title: "Airborne Aquarium"

Anybody who copped the baby blue sole XIs obviously wasn't doing well enough. Those people should've had the same connect that Currensy had. Either that or copped them back in 1996. And don't give us that "I was too young" nonsense. Should've come out the womb quicker.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "My Martin was a Maison rock Margielas with no laces"
Artist: A$AP Rocky
Track Title: "Goldie"

You can pay tribute to the classics like the Uptowns or the Js or you could switch things up a bit. A$AP Rocky has never been secretive about the the Southern influence in his music nor his secular choice in fashion. So why would he be in the lead single to his debut?

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Rock my adidas, never rock FILAs"
Artist: Beastie Boys
Track Title: "Sounds of Science"

One of the best moments of Paul's Boutique is the final section of "Sounds of Science." That's not just because today's hip-hop would have to go through hell and high water to get a Beatles sample either. The "The End" sample is part of a maelstrom production that sees the Beasties Boys united. United in their support of hip-hop's first official sneaker, and their distaste for FILAs. They did, however, end up collaborating with someone who endorsed FILAs—Nas on "How Many Rappers."

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Timbs for my hooligans in Brooklyn"
Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
Track Title: "Hypnotize"

Biggie saved one of his greatest shoutouts to his home borough for one of his last singles. It's not just a simple line, but an event where not only feuding artists, celebrities, and models were invited. The simple rabblerousers—whom Biggie always gave a voice to through his music—were invited as well. And for them, footwear that's become a symbol of reliability and simpliticity will do just fine. It's about the Brooklyn culture and less about the nationwide fame in this line.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "And I'm a Nike-head, I wear chains that excite the Feds"
Artist: Nas
Track Title: "Halftime"

He did famously say one song ago "Timbs on my feet make my cipher complete." But as prohetic as that line was, Nas would still end up spitting bars about the Nike/Jordan brand throughout his career. Two major examples are in his sharp "The street raised me up giving a fuck/I thought Jordan's and a gold chain was living it up" quip on "Street Dreams" and a feature on 2007's "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)." More on that later. Let's not forget he changed from Timbs to Nikes to keep the cipher complete in "The World Is Yours" remix.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "You couldn't Converse if you have fucking React Juice"
Artist: Phife Dawg
Track Title: "Motivators"

Sadly, this is one of the too few rap co-signs to Converse's React Juice technology. In case you need a memory refreshment, React Juice was basically was Nike's Air Max Support system except with this green fluid instead of air. It sounds like a cool concept, but React Juice had to be discontinued because of how it kept leaking, which would be dangerous in an on-court situation. It didn't last but come on people. There's plenty of material to be found in that Larry Johnson commercial.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Before he knew he had a crew that wasn't no punk/In they Spitfire shirts and SB dunks"
Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Track Title: "Kick, Push"

Before the braids, the controversy, the erratic behavior, and all the negativity surrounding Lupe Fiasco, he was genuinely a joy to listen to. He was a young, buzzed-about emcee who could come up with great concepts, like the skateboard rebel love story of "Kick, Push." It was a fresh emcee namedropping a fresh sneaker line. All was well back then.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "In L.A. we wear Chucks, no Ballys"
Artist: 2Pac
Track Title: "California Love"

Chuck Taylors are symbolic of a lot of things: the grunge culture, an all-time classic, and Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang movement are just a few. Here it's a part of the West Coast Movement, and it's given triple the credibility because 2Pac said so. Not to refer to Steve Austin, but it's true.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "I represent my DJ Scott LaRock/D-Nice, the beat box/I only wear Nikes, not adidas or Reeboks"
Artist: KRS-One
Track Title: "Word From Our Sponsor"

You got to love when rappers go out of their way to clarify which brands they DON'T wear, as if it would ruin their street cred if the listener somehow got it twisted. KRS-One's loyalty to Nike would make him a solid addition to "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)"—which premiered as part of a celebration of the Air Force's 25th anniversary almost two decades later.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Sport New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path"
Artist: Phife Dawg
Track Title: "Buggin Out"

New Balance is the runner's sneaker, but it's also known for being available in lots of widths. Very clever. New Balance sneakers do look really good, and if the author's sophomore year introduction taught him anything it's he hates psychology and people are more receptive to others who look good. If Phife is up on stage performing looking fresh, you naturally would listen. Rather him than Q-TIp wearing it though; he did tell us what he would do with his kicks early on The Low End Theory on "Excursions." Having your brand up someone's ass isn't really good PR.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "I'll kill you if you try me for my Air Max 95s"
Artist: The Game
Track Title: "Hate It or Love It"

As is the case with many others, there's multiple ways to look at this line. A clear one includes putting the Air Maxes as a symbol of sneaker violence, which links directly to his brother getting killed for his Barkleys a few lines prior. The Air Max 95s are also the Bloods' official sneaker, so there's that. For marketing purposes, Nike would probably like to think the Air Max 95s are some sort of trophy for surviving the struggle. Probably something like "You better not lay a finger on my Butterfinger" minus the kiddie undertones.

Snippet:
Lyrics: "Hold up I'm not trying to stunt, man / But the Yeezys jumped over the Jumpman"
Artist: Kanye West
Track Title: "New God Flow

When West premiered this verse at the year's BET Awards, you had to be thinking either two things: that's a pretty good verse and is he being serious? Well, it's true. The Yeezy IIs had way more attention that the Military Blue Jordan IVs that dropped the same day. It's an impressive feat that West comments on as if to say, "I ain't trying to brag here or nothing, but I did surpass one of the biggest sneaker lines of all time. Oh wells." Also, "stunt man?" "Stuntman?" "Jumping over?" Oh how you slay us, Yeezus.

Lyrics: Entire Song
Artist: Run DMC
Track Title: "My Adidas"

The S. Carter kicks, that adidas originals campaign with Nicki Minaj and Big Sean, and those god-awful Master P sneakers all owe credit to Run DMC, the first hip-hop act to score a sneaker endorsement. Then-road manager and music industry legend Lyor Cohen invited adidas executive Angelo Anastasio to a Run DMC show in Madison Square Garden. The group performed "My adidas" at the the concert, when Run asked the audience to hold their adidas in the air. The thousands in attendance obliged and Anastasio was moved to tears, prompting him to convince the higher-ups at adidas to give the group a huge $1 million endorsement deal. How many other rap sneaker co-signs managed to break that big of a barrier?