Jared Ebanks As one of the most widely recognized and popularized genres, Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary has effortlessly bled into the sneaker ecosystem. Sprouting a cultural avenue in the 70s and 80s with the PUMA Clyde alongside B-boy crews of decades past, the sportswear brand has recently teamed up with Tokyo’s Emission banner to unveil a collaborative collection of footwear aimed at celebrating the genre’s five decades of dominance.
Inspired by the break dancers that would get down to DJ Kool Herc’s breakbeats, the upcoming roster of footwear and apparel follows a pitch-dark aesthetic with regal gold accents illuminating a monochrome backdrop. Utilizing the PUMA Speedcat – initially tooled for Formula 1 drivers – the two brands have reimagined the circa 1998 silhouette with fashionable aesthetics that mirror its b-boying roots. Constructed using a luxurious jet-black suede, the duo of colorways in the upcoming collection are cured almost exclusively in jet-black hues. While one casts its tiger stripe logo in a vibrant cream hue, the second indulges in a clad-black treatment while both pairs receive either golden or silver metallic PUMA and Emission Crew logos at the heel and upper quarter. Complemented by stale gum outsoles and bright blue tongue tabs, each pair comes outfitted with a boombox hang tag matching the tint of its surrounding branded embellishments.
The Emission x PUMA Speedcat “Sparco B-Boy” is slated to release on December 2nd at 11 pm at Emission’s online storefront. In the meantime, both pair’s can be seen ahead in detailed imagery.
In other news, the Kobe Grinches arrive on December 16th.
