The Nike KD 15 Celebrates 50 Years Of Hip-Hop

Jared Ebanks May 19th, 2023 (updated)

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The birth of Hip-Hop can be miraculously traced back to August of 1973 with DJ Cool Herc at the turn tables within a recreational room in the Bronx. From the Air Force 1’s synonymous connection with rap artists to the Nike Blazer Mid, The Swoosh has been calling on all of its late 70s and early 80s toolings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the most popular genre in the States.

Kevin Durant’s obsession with music has simultaneously been on full display throughout his career, most notably teaming up with three industry-breaking producers for their own colorways of the Nike KD 15; 9th Wonder, Boi-1da and Cardo. For one of its last colorways before the upcoming release of his 16th signature silhouette, Durant will be joining in on the 50-year celebration with an Off-White reminiscent take on the KD 15.

Introduced via an onslaught of pitch-dark shades, nylons enact their typical placement along the tongue and inner lining while the heel drums up a premium tumbled leather finish. Elsewhere, the model looks to a stripped-back aesthetic devoid of any KD logos at the tongue, instead marked by monochrome Hip-Hop tongue tags that have remained consistent throughout the upcoming collection of footwear.

Illuminating the latter via subtle hits of cream mixed into the stitching of the upper forefoot, a vibrant “Sail” hue mirrors the late Virgil Abloh’s distinct design flavor as it envelops the mid-foot caging system and bleeds onto the Air Zoom midsole underfoot for a lively “Off-White” inspired contrast.

Finished by way of hanging golden metallic microphone emblems and Easy Money branding placed at the heel and insoles, the Nike KD 15 “50 Years Of Hip-Hop” is scheduled to release next month in June for a retail price of $150. As we await further drop details, in the meantime enjoy official imagery of the pair below.

For more on-court offerings from the Beaverton brand, the Nike Ja 1 “Hunger” is releasing on May 25th.