From Run-DMC & Adidas to Rakim & Reebok, Hip-Hop’s Biggest Sneaker Deals

It may seem like million dollar shoe deals are a product of the 21st century, but the truth is that sneakers and rappers have almost always gone together like...well...money and rappers. Remember when Rakim signed on to rep Reebok? Or Master P's line of kicks for Converse?

No? Well Complex does, and since I spent some time scrolling through their "A Complete History Of Hip-Hop Sneaker Deals" I thought I'd share with RefinedHype Nation. A few choice examples are below, along with a link to the full piece. Enjoy:

Run-DMC x Adidas

"After sporting Adidas for years, simply for the love of the brand and without remuneration, Run-DMC was looking to take things further. Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen invited adidas executive Angelo Anastasio to see Run-DMC perform their hit song "My Adidas" at Madison Square Garden. Witnessing thousands of fans holding up their adidas footwear whilst chanting the words to the song drove Anastasio to initiate the plans for a million-dollar endorsement deal. This deal was the first of its kind and certainly laid the groundwork for future marketing and business relationships in hip-hop."

Rakim x Reebok

"Before Swizz Beatz, before Rick Ross, even before Jay-Z and 50 Cent, Rakim Allah was down with the Vector. The ad proclaimed him a "Lyrical Classic," and truer words have never been printed."

Wu-Tang x FILA

"While most envision the Nike Dunk "Wu-Tang" when associating the Wu and sneakers, it's their '07 collaboration with FILA that actually put more cream into the pockets of the group out of Shaolin. Moderately priced at 120 dolla dolla bills, yall, Wu-Tang's CREAM classics may or may not have been a better exploration into fashion than their Wu Wear clothing line."

Read "A Complete History of Hip-Hop Sneaker Deals" via Complex

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