A History Of Sneakers On Old School Hip-Hop Albums

Image via Complex Original

The formula for an old school hip-hop single or album cover used to be pretty straightforward — rock your freshest garb, slip on your dopest sneakers, and stand there looking really cool. Recently, J. Cole employed this strategy for the cover of his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, by donning the Air Jordan VII. However, now it's only few and far in between that we get to discuss who wore what in their album art.

Hip-hop encompasses many facets of one's being which, as a whole, elicits vibes and stuff that we have come to know and love. Sneakers, just like music, are an essential part of the culture — their ubiquity on the covers of vinyl throughout the '80s and '90s speak to that very notion. Needless to say, this is a topic that needed some serious delving into. So we perused the internets and, in large part, Nick Santora's (@classickicksnyc) nostalgic stockpiles (classickicks.com and classickicksnyc.tumblr.com) to help prove our point. What we found were all of the Nikes, Jordans and adidas that we love to wear today, on the covers of music that have pioneered contemporary sound. So, travel with us down memory lane as we check out A History Of Sneakers On Old School Hip Hop Albums...

LL Cool J — Air Jordan I

Album/Single: Radio

Release: 1985

What if "I Can't Live Without My Radio" was "I Can't Live Without My J's"? It obviously would've made sense, right?

P.S. Imagine being an unassuming NYU student and "reducing" one of the most classic hip-hop albums of all-time. When Rick Rubin met Russell Simmons he definitely said "fuck school."

Doug E. Fresh — Bally Competition

Album/Single: Oh, My God!

Release: 1986

Before we were being taught how to Dougie, Doug E. was crushing all competition in his Bally's — which literally killed the adidas Superstar.

Beastie Boys — Nike Air Force I, Puma Clyde

Album/Single: Solid Gold Hits

Release: 1986

If you ever wondered how the Beastie Boys attained their "license to ill," here are some of their credentials.

Grandmaster Flash — Pony Slam Dunk

Album/Single: The Source

Release: 1986

As Grandmaster Flash is a pioneer in hip-hop, the Pony Slam Dunk is iconic in its own right — with respect to basketball sneakers. If you were going to take over the courts or the DJ scene in the 80s, Pony's were a must.

Run-DMC — adidas Superstar

Album/Single: Walk This Way

Release: 1986

Run-DMC showed us all which way to walk in shell tops — then they told adidas to cut the check! RIP, JMJ.

Salt-N-Pepa — Nike Delta Force

Album/Single: Push It

Release: 1986

In the Delta Force, newcomers Salt-N-Pepa definitely brought some seasoned flavor to the game. It's no wonder "Push It" helped them to become the first female rap act to go gold and/or platinum.

The Fat Boys — Nike Air Assault

Album/Single: The Twist

Release: 1987

First The Fat Boys break-up, now everyday we wake up, to memories of them wearing Assaults.

Grandmaster Flash — Nike Dunk

Album/Single: Ba-Dop-Boom-Bang

Release: 1987

Long before they were known as the "Wu-Tang" Dunks, this black and yellow colorway was a part of hip-hop. Everything comes full circle.

Heavy D & The Boyz — Air Jordan II

Album/Single: Chunky But Funky

Release: 1987

When it came to footwear, the overweight lover was definitely in the house. RIP, Heavy!

MC Shan — Puma Clyde

Album/Single: Down By Law

Release: 1987

Imagine there's a sneaker so legendary that you can put it in the corner of your album cover and make a statement. If KRS-One was going to challenge "The Bridge," his kicks had to be correct, too — especially since he stated that MC Shan was "better off talkin' 'bout [his] wack Puma sneaker" on "The Bridge is Over."

The Fat Boys — Saucony Jazz Original, adidas Conductor

Album/Single: Falling In Love

Release: 1987

"The lyrics for 'My Nuts' could be misunderstood by your parents!" Best disclaimer ever?

MC Shy D — Reebok Phase I

Album/Single: I Wanna Dance

Release: 1988

We're making it a goal of ours to drip with as much swagu as MC Shy D for the year 2012. Guess we'll start with phase one: a strong kick game.

Biz Markie — Nike Air Safari

Album/Single: Goin' Off

Release: 1988

Biz was one of the few people that had an early appreciation for the Air Safari, which is even more proof that "nobody beatz the Biz."

Three Times Dope — Air Jordan III

Album/Single: Original Stylin'

Release: 1988

Three Times Dope. See what they did there?

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock — Nike Air Force I

Album/Single: It Takes Two

Release: 1988

It takes two? As in, two pairs of Air Forces? As in, "give me two pair, I need two pair." As in, Rob Base is Nelly's estranged uncle? Not that we're jumping to conclusions or anything.

The Boys — Air Jordan III, Nike Air Assault

Album/Single: Dial My Heart

Release: 1988

The Boys or Mindless Behavior — whose style is better? We miss the old days :-/

MC Lyte — Nike Court Force

Album/Single: Lyte As A Rock

Release: 1988

The Court Force is often overlooked by its buddies from the 80s — the Dunk and the Air Force I. MC Lyte, however, stood toe-to-toe with her rap comrades and put out a debut album that is widely regarded as a classic hip-hop album. Slyte work.

Kid 'n Play — Nike Air Windrunner

Album/Single: 2 Hype

Release: 1988

Originally released in 1986, the Windrunner is just as classic as the Kid 'n Play "kick step." Go figure.

Marley Marl — Nike Sky Force '88 Low

Album/Single: In Control, Volume I

Release: 1988

Before Kanye was on a PJ — in his PJ's, Marley Marl and his boys (Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane included) were teaching us how to stunt at the clear port. Going forward, if we're by chance wearing low-tops with shorts, jazzercise socks are a necessity.

Boogie Down Productions — Nike Air Max I

Album/Single: By All Means Necessary

Release: 1988

If looks and sneakers could talk, they'd be saying "the bridge is over, the bridge is over — b-d-d-bye-bye!"

P.S. Look at that baby's rope chain!

Kid 'n Play — Air Jordan III

Album/Single: 2 Hype

Release: 1988

Kid 'n Play were critical to the early 90s — just think, how lost would we be without House Party and Class Act? But, more importantly, where would we be without the Jordan III?

Cash Money and Marvelous — Nike Air Trainer I

Album/Single: Ugly People Be Quiet!

Release: 1988

Ugly sneakers, we don't buy it! Can't rhyme as well as DJ Cash Money DJ'd, but you get the picture.

Geto Boys — Air Jordan III "Fire Red"

Album/Single: Grip It! On That Other Level

Release: 1989

"Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta." It also feels good to lace up a pair of Jordan IIIs. The Geto Boys were certainly onto something.

New Edition — Air Jordan III, adidas Conductor

Album/Single: N.E. Heart Break

Release: 1989

If you thought Johhny Gill was cool because he made Laura's heart melt on Family Matters, peep him here rocking Jordan IIIs and black acid wash jeans. That is all.

EPMD — Nike Air Flight '89

Album/Single: Unfinished Business

Release: 1989

Every EPMD album included the word "business" in the title. What do you think their footwear game meant?

The Fat Boys — Nike Air Tech Challenge

Album/Single: On And On

Release: 1989

For a trio of "disorderlies," The Fat Boys sure had their footwear straight.

Eazy-E — Air Jordan III "Cement"

Album/Single: Eazy-Duz-It

Release: 1989

Eazy-did-it in IIIs — we can only hope to do it so well. RIP.

Chunky A — Reebok Commitment

Album/Single: Owww!

Release: 1989

Chunky A may not have been a real person, but Arsenio Hall was committed to good footwear, nonetheless.

Ice-T — Air Jordan IV, Nike Air Trainer III

Album/Single: What Ya Wanna Do?

Release: 1989

One thing's for sure, Ice-T has had some of the most epic album covers (see: "Rhyme Pays", "Power" and "Gangsta Rap". This one's simple, but the kicks make it very noteworthy.

Main Source — Nike Air Tech Challenge II

Album/Single: Looking At The Front Door

Release: 1990

Jay-Z claims that he showed Nas his first Tech on tour with Large Professor. But, clearly, it was Large Professor and Main Source that put Nas onto Agassi's "Hot Lava." Right?

Audio Two — Nike Air Pressure

Album/Single: I Don't Care: The Album

Release: 1990

Compared to the success of the Reebok Pump, the Air Pressure definitely wasn't "top billin'." Audio Two obviously didn't care.

Run-DMC — Ewing 33 Hi

Album/Single: Faces/Back From Hell (Remix)

Release: 1990

Run-DMC — like Pat Ewing himself — were known for their domination in adidas, but also laced-up a killer signature Ewing shoe. Who said it wasn't cool to be a Knick fan?

LL Cool J — Nike Air Quantum Force

Album/Single: The Boomin' System

Release: 1990

"Mama said knock you out," so LL threw on the NBA-ready Quantum Force.

Brand Nubian — Nike Air Tech Challenge II

Album/Single: Wake Up

Release: 1990

In order to deliver the type of messages Brand Nubian sought to convey, one has to have some compelling footwear. Hence, the Tech Challenge II.

Queen Latifah — Nike Huarache LE "Purple Punch"

Album/Single: Latifah's Had It Up 2 Here

Release: 1991

Latifah in a Tinker masterpiece. The Queen is KING.

3rd Bass — Nike Air Flight '89

Album/Single: Derelicts Of Dialect

Release: 1991

Serch all you want, it's difficult to find a reason not to put the Flight '89 in your list of best basketball sneakers ever made.

The UMC's — Nike Air Max 90 "Hot Lime"

Album/Single: Fruits Of Nature

Release: 1991

Yet to see a full scale retro release, the "Hot Lime" AM90s are fruits of Nike that we definitely wouldn't mind seeing again.

Marley Marl — Nike Air Force V

Album/Single: In Control, Volume II: For Your Steering Pleasure

Release: 1991

Just as the Air Force V is one of the most iconic shoes in the Force lineage, Marley Marl is one of the most legendary and influential figures in hip-hop. In retrospect, looks as though this album cover is quite fitting.

Gang Starr — Ewing 33 Hi

Album/Single: Step In The Arena

Release: 1991

"Step In The Arena" is marked by many as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time. It's too bad the Ewing 33 Hi's don't get paid their proper respect!

Chris Rock — Air Jordan V "Grape"

Album/Single: Born Suspect

Release: 1991

At this point in his career, Chris Rock would've asked you for a price check on a rib. However, he certainly knew what the Grapes were hittin' for.

Diamond D — Air Jordan VII "Bordeaux"

Album/Single: Stunts, Blunts And Hip Hop

Release: 1992

Guess it's safe to say that the Bordeaux's were the "stunts?" Either that or the Anthony Mason cameo.

Eric B. & Rakim — Nike Air Force I

Album/Single: Don't Sweat The Technique

Release: 1992

Eric B. and Rakim wanted you to "follow the leader," but they didn't want you to "sweat the technique." In other words, get your own AF1s!

Common — Nike Air Force I, Ewing 33 Hi

Album/Single: Can I Borrow A Dollar?

Release: 1992

Can you borrow a dollar? Can we borrow some sneaks?

Chi-Ali — Air Jordan VI "Infrared"

Album/Single: The Fabulous Chi-Ali

Release: 1992

Rocking famous tongues probably helped your likelihood of becoming a part of Native Tongues. It's too bad it was homicide that helped Chi-Ali become a part of America's Most Wanted.

Eric B. & Rakim — Nike Air Force I

Album/Single: Don't Sweat The Technique

Release: 1992

One of the best things about Nike's Air Force I is that you don't have to be "paid in full" to own them.

Kris Kross — Ewing 33 Hi

Album/Single: Totally Krossed Out

Release: 1992

It's painful to imagine that two supreme trendsetters from the 90s could go from selling four million copies of their debut album and touring the world with Michael Jackson to fading into complete obscurity. As we can only hope for the Ewings to be retro'd, we're sure Kris Kross would love to retro themselves.

Shabba Ranks — Air Jordan VII "Bordeaux"

Album/Single: What'cha Gonna Do

Release: 1993

Shabba! When it came to kicks, Mr. Loverman was definitely not a simp.

Kriss Kross — Air Jordan XI "Concord"

Album/Single: Tonite's Tha Night

Release: 1995

"Tonite's Tha Night" was one of Kris Kross' last hurrahs — with the Jordan XI, at least they went down swinging.

DJ Screw & The Screwed Up Click — Air Jordan XII

Album/Single: Dead End Alliance: Screwed For Life

Release: 1998

Jordan balled-out in Flu Games, too. Only difference is that MJ sweated his cough out, rather than pouring up promethazine. RIP DJ Screw!

C-Murder — Nike Air Movin' Uptempo

Album/Single: Life Or Death

Release: 1998

Let's be real, C-Murder obviously didn't make the best choices in life (see: life imprisonment). However, he did have a flash of genius in rocking the Air Movin', which was also donned by the likes of Scottie Pippen.

Mac Dre — Nike Air Max 95

Album/Single: Rapper Gone Bad

Release: 1999

Mac Dre is to The Bay as the Air Max 95 is to the world — an icon.