This Nike Air Max Plus Honors Hip Hop Mixtapes

Few industries in the world are as intertwined as the music industry and the sneaker industry. Musician and sneaker partnerships were initially popularized by the legendary hip-hop trio, Run-D.M.C. in 1986 with the release of their track, “My adidas”. After shedding light on the pace-setting silhouette, adidas Superstars became an iconic streetwear staple for a whole new demographic of consumers. Since that influential partnership, the two businesses have continued commingling to this day, as we currently have rap’s biggest names the likes of Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Drake attaching their name to a number of the year’s most talked-about sneaker releases. For months, Drake’s sneaker rift between the Three Stripes and the Swoosh was one of the most talked about and heavily speculated stories throughout sneakers. As time goes on, the cohabitation between hip-hop and kicks will only grow stronger, as music’s brightest stars continue to propel themselves to the top of the pantheon of A-list celebrities.

With all that in mind, Nike is set to release an honorary Air Max Plus creation that pays homage to the illustrious relationship between the two beloved industries. Dressed primarily in Tour Yellow, this boisterous creation ushers in a custom insole that features a graphic of a mixtape with the brand’s iconic Just Do It catchphrase written in permanent marker atop of a strip of tape, in place of an up-and-coming rapper’s monicker. Contrasted by black accents scattered throughout its upper, this colorway is reminiscent of the Jordan Brand’s Air Jordan 4 “Thunder” that has become one of the silhouette’s most revered retro color schemes. An official release date for this hip-hop inspired Air Max Plus creation has not yet been reported, but pairs are expected to arrive at retailers sometime in September. Enjoy an official look below and be sure to check out our Sneaker Release Dates page to stay up-to-date on your favorite brand’s drops while you wait for more info.