Ever since Run DMC released the 1986 track My Adidas, the world of rap, in all its myriad forms and subgenres, has been inextricably linked with footwear. Today, these particular collaborations serve as one of the most influential sectors in the sneaker market—landing on par with investment watch pieces and collectable cars—and selling out in minutes at hefty resale prices.
Over the years, a diverse list of hip hop artists, from Pharrell Williams to Lil Wayne to Tyler the Creator, have taken time outside the studio to add their stamp to a whole host of silhouettes. However, when it comes to these collabs, there are only a few names that hit as hard in the footwear game as they do in music. Most of these projects are also characterised by a few things: they must remain memorable, wearable and timeless for years to come, but there’s also a few that are quickly swept under the carpet.
Keeping the sneaker and rap scene 100% legit is eBay who, back in 2020, launched their Authenticity Guarantee with Sneaker Con – a free service which sees the colour, stitching, logos, and fabric, vetted by team of industry experts. Measurements of the model are compared with other sneakers on eBay, while laces, accessories, and the shoe box are also checked, too.
Below, we’ve picked out recent highlight sneakers from our favourite Complex music artists, all of which can still be shopped online at eBay*.
