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Before conquering sportswear, Travis Scott ascended the ranks of music by uniting Young Thug and Justin Bieber on the same track, among countless other unexpected team-ups. Scott’s uncanny ability to collaborate has made him an electrifying modern artist, translating his skills in the sonic space to that of the footwear world.
That uncanny ability can be seen on the Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low launching this week. After revising Michael Jordan’s seminal model with backwards Swoosh branding, Scott upped the ante by calling in Hiroshi Fujiwara to add new layers to his storied sneaker.
Inspired by this noteworthy release, we’ve rounded up the best musician-inspired sneaker collaborations available now on GOAT.
J. Balvin x Air Jordan 1 Retro OG High 'Colores Y Vibras'
Colombian singing sensation made noise instantly when word got out that he was partnering with Jordan Brand to release his own shoe. The result? Sneakers as bright and vibrant as his chart-topping international hits.
By December of 2020, the J. Balvin x Air Jordan 1 Retro OG High “Colores Y Vibras” released to global fanfare, finding the singer’s shoe hitting a high note with fans around the world. Removable velcro patches on the heel offer DIY customization while highlighter hues on the upper bring a whole new appeal to the “Banned” breadwinner.
Kanye West x Bapesta FS-001 Low 'College Dropout'
Years before Adidas acquired the rights to work with the Yeezy name and even prior to his partnership with Nike, Kanye West worked with Nigo and A Bathing Ape on one of the Japanese brand’s most memorable silhouettes.
The Kanye West x Bapesta FS-001 Low “College Dropout” used Ye’s award-winning debut album as inspiration for the model, featuring his Dropout Bear on the ankle. Premium materials and a preppy palette continue the theme, channeling the project that started it all for the musical genius and style savant.
Bad Bunny x Forum Buckle Low 'The First Cafe'
Bad Bunny is not afraid to break boundaries. Bringing his distinct Latin trap and reggaeton sound to the world, his recent pairing with Adidas gave him the opportunity to share his eclectic style sensibilities across all hemispheres.
2021’s Bad Bunny x Forum Buckle Low “The First Cafe” delivered the performer’s pronounced flavor in unexpected fashion. Veering from his favored neon hues in favor of smooth coffee styling, the Forum Low leans into the lifestyle lane even harder. Famously, the artist added buckle strapping, bulky collar construction, and TPU tooling to the archival basketball shoe that scored high points for its unique spin.
Roc-A-Fella x Air Force 1 'AF100' 2017
Dating back to the release of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z and his crew made their affinity for the all-white Nike Air Force 1 known. As the rapper’s career rose and his Roc-A-Fella team found their footing, the good people at Nike laced them with their own AF1s.
After years of living exclusively in the rotation of rappers and execs, the release of the Roc-A-Fella x Air Force 1 “AF100” 2017 gave the general public a chance at securing a pair. Led by label co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke, the retro release stamps the staple white-on-whites with an embroidered Roc logo to the delight of Day 1 fans.
Eminem x Carhartt x Air Jordan 4 'Black Chrome'
For years, the Eminem x Air Jordan 4 “Encore” reigned as one of the most acclaimed artist collaborations ever made. After arriving in 2005, fans were more than ready for a sequel. Ten years later, they got just that.
Released in 2015 in extremely limited numbers, the Eminem x Carhartt x Air Jordan 4 “Black Chrome” may have departed from the Detroit Pistons palette but they still kept the same Motor City energy. By bringing in local workwear staple Carhartt, a new story was told with the same city of origin. Only 10 pairs were made available exclusively through eBay as part of a charity raffle, while the remaining were reserved for friends and family of Marshall Mathers.
Pharrell x N.E.R.D. x NMD Human Race Trail 'Cream'
Pharrell Williams has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Britney Spears, and Bad Bunny. His natural knack for collaboration has made him a willing partner for anyone and everyone, including a long standing partnership with Adidas.
Landing exclusively in Japan at the time of release, 2018’s Pharrell x N.E.R.D. x NMD Human Race Trail “Cream” is no different. Featuring a cream colorway beneath pastel details, the coveted pair units his Virginia Beach band with the German sportswear giant.
Skepta x Air Max 97 Ultra 17 'Skepta'
Skepta ascended globally by lending his signature UK grime sound to American artists ranging from ASAP Rocky to Drake. Since starting his career in the early 2000s, the Tottenham MC made it known that Air Max sneakers were central to both his personal style and London’s storied trainer scene.
In the fall of 2017, the artist’s story was told on foot through the Skepta x Air Max 97 Ultra 17 “Skepta.” Upgrading the iconic Air Max 97 with modern materials, this forward-thinking collaboration looks back to the London musician’s childhood travels to Morocco while referencing the cult classic Air Tuned Max 99, the very first shoe Skepta ever bought himself.
Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low
International success doesn’t happen overnight. Travis Scott’s ascent from rising rapper/producer to global icon has seen numerous creative pit-stops.
The Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low sees Scott landing in Japan, reworking his abrasive Air Jordan 1 collaboration with a palette provided by Hiroshi Fujiwara. The famed Fragment hues of blue, black, and white wear well on the low top look, aged to perfection with sail hits on the Swoosh, laces and midsole.
Shop all of these artist collaborations now on GOAT.
