Fresh New Kicks

From shell top Adidas to Timberland work boots Hip Hop and fresh kicks have been living side by side in its 25-year run. When Run DMC called out the name Adidas it stared a crazy over the shell top sneaker unimaginable by the shoe company world. Before this craze of urban fashion your sneaker craze came from Converse’s Chuck Taylors or Reebok sneakers from your favorite basketball player. When Nike decided to give a young man named Michael Jordan a sneaker a whole new world of advertisement and the way we see shoes in general changed dramatically. Michael Jordan took a chance on a young man named Spike Lee to direct the commercial that brought a new urban culture to mainstream TV and American. In the early 90’s Wu-Tang Clan brought the Clarks Wallabies to neighborhoods though their lyrics. Timberland work boot came in every color and became a must in the summer or 10 below.  The artist started to realize the great profit made off of them and stared there own clothing and shoe brands. In the mid 90’s you had FUBU, Wu-Wear, Rocawear and Karl Kani dominating the clothing game. These new players flooded the market with new hot ideas that made traditional brands like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger to change up their model. Even female rappers have turned Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi relevant and fresh again. Today companies like Sean John, Boss and DKNY are bringing high class suits, ties, and shoes for the young urban professional. Trends in Hip Hop have gone from urban baggy clothing to tight skinny jeans but one thing has never changed is that you better have on a fresh pair of kicks to finish off the outfit. Hip Hop has been a true pioneer and a major force across the world influencing different cultures, genders, and races.