Hip-Hop Wired » nike

Nike LeBron 9 "MVP Edition" [PHOTOS]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:37:19 +0000

Besides announcing a mixtape, this weekend LeBron James was named the NBA's MVP. Nike in turn named King James their "Employee of the Year" and dropped a new colorway of his signature shoe, the Nike LeBron 9. James wore this special "MVP Edition" colorway during yesterday's first game defeat of the Indiana Pacers.

The shoe's white upper gets surrounded by the Miami Heat's traditional colors of red, black and some yellow. Expect the Nike LeBron 9 "MVP Edition" to be at available retail sometime in June, but check them out for now in the gallery.

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Photos: Nike

LeBron James Rocks Nike Air Yeezy 2 During Press Conference [PHOTOS]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:14:11 +0000

After his Miami Heat took an L to the New York Knicks yesterday, LeBron James sat down for the requisite post-game press conference rocking a pair of Air Yeezy 2s. The Black and Solar Red colorway makes it hard to see much detail but the glow in the dark sole is a giveaway.

Peep the photo, and King James' retreating hairline, below. See some more recent Air Yeezy 2 pics in the gallery.

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Photo: Jim Ice

Air Jordan 4 "Fire Red" [PHOTOS]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:20:29 +0000

If you missed the Air Jordan XII, the Air Jordan IV (4) in the "Fire Red" colorway gets another retro release sometime in August. Last retro'd in 2006 (which you can still get at Flight Club for $350), this version doesn't have the little Mars Blackmon logo on the heel. If you missed out on the "Cement" 4s (worn by Buggin Out in Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing), here's your chance to get in the game, at a $160 entry fee, if you can navigate Nike's new Twitter RSVP system.

Myself, I'll wait on the Black & Red versions that Air Jordan sent the Cleveland Cavalier's fishing while wearing. Peep photos of the Air Jordan "Fire Red" 4s in the gallery.

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Photos: Marqueesole

Nike Intros New Twitter RSVP System To Cop Coveted Kicks

Angel Navedo — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:45:04 +0000

Following last week's ban on midnight releases, Nike introduced its new Twitter RSVP system yesterday, ramping up efforts to quell the chaos at campouts for highly anticipated sneaker launches. Pressure to improve the way sneaker enthusiasts shop intensified after the riot in Orlando this past February for the “Galaxy” Air Foamposite One during the NBA's All-Star Weekend. That was the culmination of a dilemma that was becoming more urgent with every Foamposite release and the annual Jordan XI Retro tradition.

With their foot planted firmly down, Nike's solution seems reasonable and simple enough: Follow the nearest Nike store on Twitter, monitor its feed for official #RSVP release announcements, and send along a direct message with the necessary details to reserve a pair. (No, they don't need to follow you to send a DM.)

Prospective buyers must provide Nike's official #hashtag to identify the sneakers, the last four digits on their ID, and a size. The fastest tweeters will receive confirmation to pickup their reserved pair on the release date. Everyone else will need to try his or her luck at Foot Locker.

The new system also fights back against resellers infiltrating the sneaker culture. A one-per-customer policy will be enforced. And the measures should also stagger disgruntled shoppers who secure remaining stock when their size is sold out.

With Nike taking command over its inventory and how products are distributed, it's worth monitoring any residual effects on local shops and the larger chain stores – especially if the latter fail to implement similar policies to enhance the shopping experience.

The safety-first approach is absolutely commendable, but it's not an immediate solution for sneakerheads who've missed out on popular releases. Nike.com has been unstable for online launches, and Twitter's infamous #FailWhale during times of heightened activity could make its presence felt once the #RSVP announcements come down.

Next on Nike's calendar is the “Playoff” Air Jordan XII Retro on April 21, followed by the “Elite” LeBron 9 and Kobe 7 editions on April 28.

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Photo: Nice Kicks

Air Jordan XII (12) "Playoffs" [PHOTOS]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:22:01 +0000

So fresh, so clean. The Air Jordan 12 is a favorite of many collectors and sneaker connoisseurs, and is getting a retro release, arriving at retailers on Saturday, April 21st. Last retored ins 2004, this black, varsity red and white colorway is the same model Michael Jordan rocked when he dropped, for the first time ever, a triple double in the 1997 NBA All-Star game. Light work.

Peep detailed photos of the Air Jordan 12 in the gallery. This version will cost you $160. Inflation is a beeyotch, but will you be copping?

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Photos: Jordan Brand, Sneaker News

Nike Air Force 1 Max Air VT "Camo" [PHOTOS]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:45:03 +0000

There is such a thing as too much camo, but consider these kicks an exception. The Nike Air Force 1 Max Air VT is the fourth shoe in the AF1 X-X Pearl collection, and easily the illest. The low top basketball sneaker features a full length Vis Air Sole unit and the camo patterned upper consists of canvas Vac-Tech construction. Other details on this premium shoe include waxed laces and embossed leather tongue and heel tabs.

Rock these with some fatigues or cargo shorts (avoid OD'ing green/brown jungle camo, though) on the and you are winning the game, period. Act fast, these are quickstrikes, drop April 20th and are a hefty $200. Peep close ups of the Nike Air Force 1 Max Air VT in the gallery.

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Photos: Nike

NFL Stars Unveil New Nike Elite 51 Uniforms [PHOTOS]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:51:08 +0000

The NFL sure knows how to give you something to talk about during the offseason. While not on the same scale as Peyton Manning's drama, the Tebow trade and Bounty-gate, Nike's unveiling of their new NFL jerseys were met with with quite a bit of fanfare for such minimal visual changes. Outside of the Seattle Seahawks' new uniforms, the real changes come within the product and not so much on it's exterior. The Nike Elite 51 Uniform is the next generation in superior lightweight performance delivering a fully integrated system of dress for athletes at the highest level. To check out NFL stars like Michael Vick, Clay Matthews, Marshawn Lynch and more checking out the new threads, begin the slideshow.

Track Star Perri Shakes-Drayton Models Nike Women's Summer 2012 Collection [PHOTOS]

Hip-Hop Wired — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:30:44 +0000

Perri Shakes-Drayton is a world class track star, from across the pond, who specializes in the 400 meter hurdles. Brothers, peep the photos and understand why having an affinity for track star is nothing to be ashamed about. Shakes-Drayton is showcasing Nike's Women's Summer 2012 collection. If you care.

Worth noting, "Shakes" rhymes with "cakes." Peep all the photos in the gallery.

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Photo: Nike Blog

The Top 10 Hip-Hop Sneakers Of All-Time

Dallas Penn — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:07 +0000

From the beginning of Hip-Hop culture a necessary part of the uniform was your sneakers. Hip-Hop was created by disenfranchised urban center youth, but despite their humble origins these kids still had piles of style. The most defining component of your Hip-Hop style back then, as it is today, is your footwear.

Just like Hip-Hop has gone from the vacant lots in the Bronx to the most hallowed of all music halls named after Andrew Carnegie, kicks have also gained in prestige. No one (with any sense) still wears fat laces in their sneakers. They have been replaced with mother of pearl dubraes and golden aglets.

Despite all the fancy components and accoutrements that accompany sneakers nowadays there is still the overriding principle of aspiration which your shoes have to convey. The aspiration to be fresh is the key to the shoes on this list. They all define freshness and they all represent Hip-Hop. These are the most Hip-Hop sneakers of all time.

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Photos: Kicks Addict, Classic Kicks

Jeremy Lin's Nike Sneakers [Photos]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:44:42 +0000

Nike hit the lotto when Jeremy Lin got called off bench, helped the Knicks win a bunch of games and kicked off #Linsanity. The Swoosh had previously inked Lin to an endorsement contract (since extended) off the strength of his Taiwanese heritage since it made him an ideal representative for Nike's inroads in Asia. But now that Lin has become a phenomenon, his earning potential has risen exponentially, just ask MSG. So course the Harvard grad has been blessed with a couple of Nike PE's to rock on the court.

Peep photos of J. Lin's Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low ID and Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 in the gallery.

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Photos: Nike