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Spike Lee started it all. While his film career and entrepreneurial ventures deserve an essay themselves, today we focus on his contributions to the sneaker culture. On August 8th, 1986 Lee?s breakthrough film She?s Gotta Have It hit the big screen. The film may have launched Spike?s career in the director’s chair but it also launched one of his most memorable characters on camera. Mars Blackmon, a loudmouthed, high energy sports fanatic would steal the show and eventually catch the eye of Nike. Mars would go onto star in ad campaigns for the Air Jordan 3, 4, 5, 6, 18 and XX.
25 years later, Mars Blackmon is still a staple in pop culture and the sneaker world. His trademark look is still mimicked by fans and his ad presence has inspired many after him (Lil? Penny, Thirst, even that Melo spot with Tommy Davidson). Spike became the first icon in the basketball and sneaker realm to make a splash without making a shot. Ironically enough, Nola?s dump has inspired many pickups for years to come.
Meet Mars for the first time here.
Props to The Root
