Complex Original
Image via Complex Original
Few individuals can say that they have had the opportunity to release their own Air Jordan collaboration. Even fewer can say that they have their own original Nike silhouette hit the market. And even fewer people than that can say they have jet skied in Lake Nike on the brand’s campus in Beaverton, Oregon. Drake is in a unique class all to himself as a man who can say he has accomplished all three of these things.
The superstar rapper’s collaborative relationship with the brand, aside from a small hiccup, has been going strong for nearly 10 years. In that span, we have seen plenty of memorable projects. There are numerous Air Jordans dressed in OVO’s signature black, white, and gold color palette. Some of the most notable pairs, like Air Jordan 11s with a pink snakeskin mudguard or a pair of Air Jordan 8s honoring former NBA great Charles Oakley, haven’t even been released to the public. Instead, the pairs that have been sporadically popped up on the aftermarket resell for thousands. Perhaps cooler than all of this is his music video for “Laugh Now, Cry Later” where he got to treat the Nike campus like his own personal playground. Today, the Drake x Nike partnership has entered its latest chapter with the release of an original sneaker design, the Hot Step.
To celebrate Drake’s new sneaker making its retail debut today in two colorways, we decided to take a look back at all of Drake’s Nike and Jordan Brand collaborations up to this point. Get a closer look at each below.
Air Jordan 3 “Anaconda”
Image via Nice Kicks
Release Date: Unreleased (2014)
Retail Price: N/A
Longtime Nike designer Mark Smith concocted this Air Jordan 3 using an eye-catching lenticular film to layer the upper in classic elephant print. “I didn’t think anyone would notice the shoes, because I didn’t,” Smith told us in a 2014 interview, “but it was cool to make them for him.” And he was right—most people probably didn’t recall seeing the kicks. The shoes were so easily overlooked because Drake wore them as he received a BET Uncut-worthy lap dance from Nicki Minaj in her “Anaconda” video. MJ made memories flying through the air on the court; Drake did it more effortlessly just by sitting down.
Air Jordan 3 “Drake vs Lil Wayne”
This set of unreleased gems was made specifically for Drake as he co-headlined a tour with his mentor Lil Wayne back in 2014. Two very straightforward takes were created—one predominately white, the other draped in black—with tumbled leather, custom insoles, and matching laces to execute the Street Fighter vibes of the tour branding. Locating either of the two won’t come easy or cheap as they’re arguably one of the most scarce sets seen here.
Air Jordan 3 “Gold”
Image via English Sole
Release Date: Unreleased (2014)
Retail Price: N/A
One thing established early in the relationship between Drake and Jordan Brand is the usage of gold for his sneakers. This one-of-one Air Jordan 3 crafted exclusively for him drives the point home. It’s dipped in gold, adorned with “6IX” on the tongue—a nod to his Toronto hometown’s adopted nickname—plus a tiny amount of pink on the outsole. First seen at 2014 OVO Fest, these shoes never released to retail, making them another unicorn pair.
Air Jordan 10 “White OVO’
Image via StockX
