2023 is the year in which hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary. If after such information you don’t feel weighed down by the years, congratulations! You will be glad to know that Nike is relaunching the Air Force 1 Low Classic to commemorate such an important date. The first images of the model show that the classic silhouette is inspired by the design of the Nike Air Force 1 Low Classic range. The sneaker is made from the traditional white leather base, while a white and black gradient contrasts with the swoosh on the panel and the Nike Air logo on the heel. Other brand details can be found in the special label placed on the tongue with the Nike emblem and the phrase “50 Years of Hip-Hop,” as well as in the embellishment of the small symbolic gold microphone hanging on the laces. The yellow midsole gives a vintage look to the model resting on a gray sole, while the clean white laces complete the footwear line, making it extremely sober and elegant.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Classic
Together with the adidas Superstar, the Nike Air Force 1 belongs to hip-hop culture. The question remains: why has it become so popular among sneakerheads? The famous track by Nelly, titled Air Force Ones, is just the tip of the iceberg if we were to count how many times rappers have boasted about owning these shoes in their songs. Although there is no official count, it can be stated that rappers have promoted the Air Force Ones lyrically or visually from the early days of the sneaker’s existence. While hundreds of official variants and thousands of unofficial or customized versions of the Air Force One have been produced since its release, The Sole Supplier gathers a collection containing some of the original models from the early ’80s, along with the latest Nike Air Force One releases and news on upcoming releases.
Taking a closer look at some of the trends and events related to the rise of the Air Force One within hip-hop culture, we realize that there are several reasons behind rap’s appreciation of this model.
Big and Bold – First and foremost, we cannot ignore the role the aesthetics of the Air Force One played in ensuring its success. It’s no surprise that the aggressive design of the shoe became the foundation for the Jordan 1. Hip-hop fans tend to love basketball, and anyone who admired a standout moment of Jordan’s many dunks in the 1987 and 1988 games knows that the legendary shoes on his feet were the red, black, and white Jordan 1s. In a sense, the shoe’s dimensions correspond to that of its heritage, as it likely paved the way for the entire Jordan sneaker line.
Old School – New generations of rappers always look back to the ones before them who, in turn, do the same. This leads to hip-hop icons who were already wearing Air Force Ones over three decades ago. Therefore, the design of the Air Force One has become an integral part of this musical culture.
“Presidential” – Naturally, Nike made a bold move by naming the shoe Air Force One because, if you are familiar with the slang of the time, many things were referred to as “presidential.” For instance, many rap songs talked about “presidential kush,” “presidential bag,” or “presidential suites.” The Nike Air Force 1 takes its name from the airplane of the President of the United States, the dream transportation mode of the rappers in the ’80s.
Price and Release Date of Nike Air Force 1 Low Classic
The Nike Air Force 1 Low Classic will be available in the coming months. The price should be around 130 euros, on the official Nike website.