Wale revealing an unreleased Nike pattern? We’re turning the clock again to the early 2010s when the DMV-based rap artist was the go-to particular person to carry vitality to a pair of sneakers. Wale Folarin’s toes had been principally billboards for the Swoosh, and that undeniable fact that he wore the pattern dimension 9 made it simpler for this seemingly under-the-table partnership to proceed. At any time when Wale wore a pair of upcoming Foamposites, it was entrance web page information.
Rumors of a Wale x Nike collaboration had been in perpetual circulation all through the primary half of the 2010s decade, however no such undertaking ever occurred (though he could have had involvement within the short-lived I-95 Posite Max Boot). The channel of pattern merchandise regularly slowed to a full cease in addition to Nike went into the “influencer” route, selecting the likes of Bella Hadid as an alternative of partnering with individuals who, you understand, truly care concerning the model. It wasn’t till the DMV Foamposite launch in 2024 that Nike truly labored with the artist on an official degree. Higher late than by no means.
Throughout final night time’s NBA All-Star Movie star Sport, Wale was noticed carrying a never-before-seen Nike sample-a throwback to the period of Wale offering first/early appears at Nike footwear coming down the pipeline. The pictures had been shared by @higherlxng in addition to Frank Cooker on Instagram.
Not a lot is thought about this mannequin, however it seems to be some kind of Foamposite sneaker with the distinct ankle collar form of the Zoom Hyperflight. It’s obtained a little bit of that early 2000s Nike Basketball vitality championed by Eric Avar and Aaron Cooper.
Nike is an all out battle to reclaim the vitality it as soon as held onto all through the 2010s. It’ll require the precise mixture of product, partnerships, pricing, and people-pleasing, a system they’re nonetheless making an attempt to determine within the submit John Donahoe period. Handsome efficiency product just like the Pegasus Premium and teaming with precise sneaker fanatics like Wale helps.
