Nike pulled inspiration from the film White Men Can’t Jump for the initial release of the Nike Hyperize. While it can be debated how much of a classic the film was, one can’t deny the serious lineup of footwear was in the movie. Nike brought their A-game when it came to product placement getting their top basketball sneakers from ‘90 and ‘91 on the feet of not only the main characters played by Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, but also on many of the extras hanging out wearing great kicks.
Maybe it was an excuse to grab some popcorn and watch the film again, but none-the-less we have assembled the top Nike sneaker shots from White Men Can’t Jump. Click here to check out what made the cut.
Sneaker Shots: White Men Can't Jump - Nike Solo Flight '90
Brooklyn-based rapper CurT@!n$ is steadily buzzing throughout the hip-hop interwebs with his latest mixtape, The Adventures of Dope Boy C: Dope For President, and collabs with a variety of artists from Mickey Factz to Gucci Mane.
We got a chance to chop it up with the man who Kanye called a “true genius of fashion”, about the music, performing at Sneaker Pimps NYC, and what else, the kicks.
Check out the interview after the jump, and go support the man by giving his mixtape a listen.
Nice Kicks: Who is CURT@!N$, and what can the readers expect from your music?
CurT@!n$: CurT@!n$ is just the modern-day Keith Haring - pop art in the flesh - Brooklyn, New York. When you pick up the music, you can just expect the unexpected. I don’t even know what to expect from my music truthfully.
What motivated you to get into music?
What interested me early on was LL, EPMD, and Ice Cube, but you know, I just got the music bug and ran with it. Kept perfecting my craft, making records, battling, and mimicking other rappers - just studying the game like it was school.
You’ve got some pretty dope videos out now. One of my favorites is “Night of the Living Dope” - how did you come up with the concept?
I just want to have fun and showcase me. That was really my bike, all my clothes on the rack. Everything in there was mine. I just went to my house, and was like, “Hmm, how could I show people how I’m livin’”. I was like, “Hey I’m gonna ride my bike in the video, and shoot a rack of all my clothes”. The director came with the after effects - like the lighting, the eyes - and everything turned out crazy.
So now to the sneakers. How was it performing at the last Sneaker Pimps in NYC?
The energy was crazy. I had this thing where I took one shoe off, and held it in the air Run DMC style. You know, the kids were real excited, ready to show off their kicks too. I would never call myself a sneakerhead, but I enjoy a good pair here and there.
What’s that one shoe that got you hooked to sneakers?
The Jordan 1s - the black and blue.
Nice. So when you were growing up, what were cats wearing in your neighborhood?
Always Jordans. New Balances were sitting pretty up there in my neighborhood, but always Jordans. Later, there were basketball sneakers, you know, the David Robinsons, the Pippens, Air Maxes.
How many pairs do you own?
Man, I go in and out, but I would say I physically probably have about 10 pairs. In storage and different people’s houses, I probably have about over 400 pairs. And that’s not like 400 regular. Like I said, I’m a snob so everything I have is something holy grail-type level. I have every Jordan, the originals, the first retros. I got all the really dope pairs like the Supremes, and stuff like that. I would say I have like 400 really good pairs. But only 10 of them are physically in my possession.
Do you wear your shoes?
I wear everything. Like when you say “sneaker head”, as the word “collecting” is synonymous with sneaker head, I don’t collect anything. I’m a “collector”, but I like to use my collection. If I’m collecting sneakers, I wear them to show them. They say its a piece of art, and it’s wearable art. Like my Jordan 1s, my favorite sneakers, they’re worn to the ground, and I still wear them. When I get my next pair, I’m gonna wear ‘em to the ground you know what I’m sayin? I wouldn’t like them sitting on the shelf somewhere.
So what are you rocking right now?
Jordan 1s - black and blue. Still.
Ha. Last pair you bought?
I haven’t bought a pair of sneakers in so long it’s not funny. I’ve just been blessed to be in a position where if I want something, I can just make a phone call or it’s offered to me. I got the Yeezys, a lot of the kicks kids have been craving for, but I didn’t buy ‘em. (laughs)
Is there an upcoming release that you would actually be interested in purchasing?
I heard those Infrared VIs are coming back, and I heard the original black VIIs are coming back - they’re ones that I’m pretty interested in. I would say those two.
Are you feeling any of these new indie brands?
Umm…I don’t know. I’m more of a snob - I’m still Jordans and Puma Clydes. Like I’m stuck in that zone. I haven’t seen a new sneaker that really put me, you know, somewhere. It’s still kind of…maybe I just gotta get used to them, but I haven’t really seen a pair that did it for me yet.
Why do you think shoes matter?
Well, growing up where I’m from, early New York, it was a status symbol to have certain sneakers. That stuck with us as we grew up. Like you know how much a pair of Jordan IIIs are worth when you see somewhere wearing them. You’re like “Damn, that guy has something expensive on his feet.”
What’s the most innovative sneaker you’ve seen as of late?
I think the Yeezys are the best “new” sneaker to come out in years. I might offend certain sneaker heads, but I think the last, original, good sneaker might have been the first LeBrons.
What’s one thing you dislike about the shoe game?
Probably the over-saturation. It kind of takes away the fun and excitement in the purchase. Before, it wasn’t that easy to get a pair of Jordan IIIs - it’s kind of not that hard to get them anymore. It takes away the thrill of chasing, getting, and then wearing. I think the over-saturation bugs me a little bit.
Where do you usually go to pick-up?
Flight Club.
That’s it? Flight Club?
Flight Club. Well, Sportie LA also has a good archive - you can find some gems in there.
So what’s next for you? Anything else you want to speak on?
I’m working on some stuff, got some stuff in store, so stay tuned. We got the Dope 4 President Mixtape that’s out now - we’re pushin that. We got some more stuff in the pipeline, but I don’t really want to…I like the whole element of surprise thing. When it’s droppin’, and you don’t expect it, it’s more impactful.
Lance Armstrong and Nike have a long relationship, but the two stood together starting in 2004 with the launch of Livestrong to raise money and awareness to battle cancer. Wristbands and apparel was released to support the cause to “Wear Yellow”, but since there have been a number of great shoes bearing the Livestrong name.
To salute our local hometown hero we have composed a look at the best of Livestrong x Nike shoes. Click here to have view the feature.
Lance Armstrong x Futura x Nike FC
In 2005, Nike and Lance started 10//2 which was a performance line of apparel and cycling gear. This shoe did not have any call out to the Livestrong name on the shoes, but did feature the 10//2 label. Artist Futura, Nike’s Mark Smith, and Lance Armstrong worked together for the graphics on the side of the shoe that represented a number of things important to Lance’s life and story of overcoming cancer.
This Nike FC was produced to the tune of only 500 and was released in July of 2005 at colette in Paris.
This summer has seen a ton of bright colorways hitting retailers. Many of us pick up a fresh pair of white on whites annually once things start to heat up. That being said, we decided to take a look at some of the best all white sneakers we’ve seen.
The Air Force 1 is the most notorious of the white on whites, but it seems every brand has had some classics in this summer approved colorway at one point or another.
Click here to take a look at the best all white sneakers.
Nike has brought back many of the shoes the professional dual-sport athlete Bo Jackson endorsed, but the 19 year old Nike Air Trainer SC II has yet to make its return. The Trainer SC II incorporated many different technologies that were showcased in the trainer lineup. Starting at the toe box and moving back, the shoes sported a more breathable perforated leather that gave the shoe the strength and durability while allowing for some heat to escape during training. The cross strap at the bottom of the laces was bigger and beefier than ever with tough velcro that was not going to let go no matter what stresses the shoe was put under.
Like the Nike Air Trainer SC, the circa 1991 SC II features sail cloth anchoring the upper to the sole. Interestingly, Nike cut the sail cloth fabric in a way that formed diagonal lines that even matched well with the box. While the shoe had the mid top cut, the sneakers also had an interior boot that provided extra stability. Nike Air cushioning protected the impact of the heel of those training. The shoe finishes off with a large “Nike Air” logo on the heel reminding you of which brand dominated the training footwear category then and now.
With the Nike Trainer 1 releasing 20 years after the Bo Knows campaign, could we see Nike honor this shoe’s 20th birthday in 2010 with a re-release? Click here to leave your two cents whether Nike should bring back this training great.
The 4th of July is around the corner, and nothing is more American than grilling, fireworks, ODing on red, white, and blue gear, and ice cold brew.
Whether you’re of the legal age or not, there have been several successful beer-inspired colorways that had the streets going crazy. We Photoshopped (poorly) some of the colorways we wish would come true. Who knows, maybe we’ll see one of these come to life?
Happy 4th of July to all of our readers - be safe, and if you do choose to drink, please do it responsibly.
Check out the colorways after the jump and let us know what you think.
Bud Light Lime
The beer tastes like urine after eating asparagus, but the colorway is sick.
Blue Moon
Just like Ghost and Rae, blue and cream. Boom. Add an orange slice and you’ll be having crazy visions son.
The mid 90’s had some of the best basketball sneakers we have ever seen and 1997 might just have been the best. It was for several years that many of today’s classics were the new thing. One of the shoes often overlooked and left out of the conversation of classics from this era is the Nike Air MZ3.
Maybe the Nike Air MZ3 was not the prettiest thing to the eye, but the combination of the shoe’s forefoot Zoom Air and heel Air Max 2 made this a sure winner on the court. In fact, some may remember that the shoe’s name is derived from its combination of Max and Zoom Air.
Likelyhood of seeing this shoe return? Probably somewhere between slim and none, but no reason not to hunt for the originals in old sporting goods shops and auction sites.
Nike pulled inspiration from the film White Men Can’t Jump for the initial release of the Nike Hyperize. While it can be debated how much of a classic the film was, one can’t deny the serious lineup of footwear was in the movie. Nike brought their A-game when it came to product placement getting their top basketball sneakers from ‘90 and ‘91 on the feet of not only the main characters played by Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, but also on many of the extras hanging out wearing great kicks.
