A Timeline of Drake's History With Nike

Image via Complex Original

Date: 2013-2018

Key Products: Air Jordan 10, Air Jordan 12, Air Jordan 8

The official Drake x Nike relationship started back in December 2013 under the Swoosh’s notable sub-label, Jordan Brand. Drake took to social media to flaunt two colorways of the Air Jordan 10. Tonal white and black versions featured shiny stingray leather overlays, semi-translucent outsoles, and gold OVO owls stamped on each insole. Initially believed to be exclusive PEs made for the 6 God, the shoes would actually drop in 2015 during NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto. The black, white, and gold OVO x Air Jordan drops would stay consistent in the following years with the most obscure being a Trunner LX that dropped in limited quantities in conjunction with the opening of Jordan Brand’s new Toronto flagship in 2017. A Jordan 12 in 2017 and 8 in February 2018 also arrived in similar colorways to the 10, just ahead of rumors that Drake would be jumping ship for one of Nike’s biggest competitors. More on that later.

Date: 2013-2018

Key Products: "Calipari" Air Jordan 8s, "Hot 100" Air Jordan 6 Low, "Snakeskin" Air Jordan 11s

While OVO x Jordan Brand’s retail releases mostly stuck to OVO’s signature black, white, and gold color palette, the exclusives cooked up for Drizzy were a bit more creative. Over the course of the roughly five-year partnership, notable PEs included a “Kentucky” pack of Air Jordan 8s gifted to UK basketball coach John Calipari, Air Jordan 3s with sunburst-colored laces worn by Drizzy throughout the Drake vs. Lil Wayne tour in 2014, and a white Air Jordan VI Low celebrating the release of Views that never saw the light of day. Some of the craziest pairs Jordan Brand created for him were the white Air Jordan 11s with pink and grey snakeskin mudguards, and a pair that answers the question, “If Charles Oakley had an Air Jordan 8 PE as a Toronto Raptor, what would it look like?”

Date: 2018

Key Products: Adidas tracksuits, Ultra Boosts, and Yeezys

There was a minor hiccup in the Drake x Nike timeline. Shortly after the OVO x Air Jordan 8 release in February 2018, talks began to surface that Drake was unhappy with his current endorsement deal with the Jumpman and going to Adidas. The rumors were fueled by the man himself as Drake began to frequently be seen rocking Adidas track pants, Ultra Boosts, and various Yeezy models over the next few months. Apparently, Drake was destined to reveal an apparel line and extensive partnership with the Three Stripes later that year until...

Date: August 2018

Key Products: Nike Air Max Plus "For Stage Use"

Let’s be honest. Drake wearing Adidas never made much sense anyway. By the end of Summer 2018, he was back supporting the Swoosh family. And they quickly rewarded him with special versions of the Air Max Plus. Dubbed by Drake as being “for stage use” on Instagram, the black runner’s were tweaked with the addition of thick rope lacing and an elongated heel pull tab. He rocked a handful of colorways on stage throughout his Aubrey and the Three Migos tour. Sadly, these remained exclusives for the Boy and never made their way to retailers. 

Date: March 2019

Key Products: Nike Zoom Vomero 5

The “For Stage Use” Air Max Plus wasn’t the only retro runner that Nike gave Drake on tour. During a stop in Paris for his European Assassination Vacation tour, he was also spotted in a special colorway of the Zoom Vomero 5. Just like the aforementioned Air Max Pluses, this all-black color scheme with subtle red detailing never received an official release.

Date: June 2019

Key Products: Air Jordan 4 "Raptors"

We all know Travis Scott’s Houston Oilers-themed Air Jordan 4 collaboration from 2018. Well, apparently Travis wasn’t the only rapper who was supposed to release his own Air Jordan 4 that year. Before the brief falling out between the two parties, a Raptors-themed Air Jordan 4 was also supposed to arrive bearing Drake’s signature on the tongue tag. Before the release was fully realized, Drake was already wearing Three Stripes apparel. His signature was stripped from the tongue and the pair was released sans Drake ties in August 2018. But as we all know, Drake and Nike rekindled their relationship. To celebrate the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Finals run, Jordan Brand would surprise drop more pairs of the “Raptors” 4, complete with Drake’s signature this time, before Game 2 of the NBA Finals in June. They don’t quite get the same level of praise as the aforementioned colorway from Travis, but it’s still cool that they eventually made their way to customers in the end.

Date: February 2020

Key Products: N/A

By 2020, Drake was comfortably settled in as a member of the Swoosh family once again. Nike sweatsuits and running caps were part of his daily uniform—he often wore Air Maxes. There was no questioning where his sportswear allegiance lied. So, it came as no surprise that Drake was one of the many All-Star caliber attendants at Nike’s 2020 Forum during New York Fashion Week back in February. He sat beside Rosalia and Virgil Abloh throughout the presentation. He and Abloh, who have become frequent collaborators as of late on everything from private jets to watches, also shared a memorable photo op later that night with each of them wearing matching camouflage Arc’Teryx jackets. Drake wasn’t just an avid rocker of the Swoosh, he was officially part of the team. If there was still anything questioning that, this appearance among the brand’s most important collaborators cemented it. 

Date: October 2020-August 2021

Key Products: “CLB” hoodie, “CLB” hat, and “CLB” socks

On Oct. 26, 2020, Drake’s highly-anticipated Certified Lover Boy merch collection with Nike finally released to the world. They offered the capsule via a newly-launched website titled DrakeRelated. Along with the “CLB” hoodies everyone was after, the drop also included white caps with red lipstick kiss stains on the brim, socks, and a series of graphic T-shirts that included a ski mask wearing Cupid. The memorable bomber jackets were also listed on the site, but were designated as a friends and family exclusive to the chagrin of many. More CLB merch just days ahead of the album’s release in September 2021. The collection of black T-shirts featured small Nike Swooshes intertwined with pink roses on the center of the chest with album-related phrases like “I Don’t Miss…Let Alone Miss You” across the back. One of the funnier options saw Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Nike Freak logo repurposed to read “I Need a Freak.” These shirts didn’t see as wide of a release as the initial collection, but some lucky fans in Toronto did get blessed by OVO Mark.

Date: December 2020-Present

Key Products: puffer jacket, hoodie, and fleece pants

Drake and Nike’s apparel drops in 2020 weren’t limited to just Certified Lover Boy promo merch. On Nov. 22, Drake posted a teaser video on his Instagram that pegged Dec. 18, 2020 as a date of interest. The post announced the release date for Drake’s official apparel line with Nike, NOCTA. The name is said to be a nod to his “nocturnal creative process.” The cozy-centric line aligns perfectly with Drake’s wardrobe with its bubble coats, sweatsuits, and socks in both black and yellow color schemes. In an official press release from Nike announcing the project, Drake says, “I mean, growing up Nike was everything. It felt like every shoe I wanted, every athlete I liked, everything I owned was Nike. It didn’t mean anything unless it had a Swoosh.” Since its initial capsule, a handful of other NOCTA collections have hit retailers. Some have simply been the minimally-branded hoodies and sweatpants in new colorways. The most intriguing was the NOCTA Golf line that released in September 2021 that was inspired by Drake’s uncle. The 10-piece assortment included items like polos, mock neck T-shirts, visors, and tan nylon tracksuits. Select items were even worn on the course by pros like Brooks Koepka.

Date: March 2022

Key Products: Nike NOCTA Hot Step

The NOCTA apparel line has been a great introductory offering, but, as you may expect, people have been clamoring for some footwear. On March 3, fans finally got their wish with the launch of the first two colorways for the Hot Step. The original silhouette complete with details like 3M piping and colorful Air units is meant to nod to trainers from late ‘90s. It even borrows the sole from 1999’s Air Terra Humara, albeit with slight modifications. It debuted in monochromatic black or white color schemes, but other photos of Drake wearing the silhouettes indicate that more extravagant options like black and yellow or a pair covered in tan python print will be coming down. And a Certified Lover Boy-themed Air Force 1 complete with a heart-shaped tread pattern and “Love you forever” written on the midsole are reportedly arriving in 2022. Until those get confirmed though, the Hot Step will have to suffice.