Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West is breaking records without even trying. The hip-hop star’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype shoes set a new world sales sneaker record when they sold for $1.8 million at an auction.
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Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy Kicks Sell
The sale is marked as the most expensive public sale of a sneaker and the purchaser was sneaker investing platform RARES. The shoes themselves are a prototype of the pair West wore at the 2008 Grammys. What makes it even more impressive is that the shoes serve as a sort of taste of things to come for Kanye’s ambitions as a designer.
Beyond being a shoe designed and worn by Kanye West, this specific Air Yeezy 1 prototype served as a kind of unofficial launch of West’s serious sneaker ambitions. Although he’d dabbled in fashion before, even designing a shoe for Louis Vuitton, Kanye’s Air Yeezy collaboration with Nike was an unparalleled success. (Rolling Stone)
Kanye West Nike Yeezy Protocol Estimated To Sell For $1M+
Earlier this month, it was announced that a Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype from 2008 is expected to sell for over $1 million. This was Ye’s first sneaker with Nike, which he notably abandoned for bigger and better things at Adidas in 2013 and yes – he actually wore this specific pair.
“This pair is critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise, which has become one of the most important sneaker and lifestyle brands in history,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Streetwear and Modern Collectables. “Debuted on-stage at the Grammys in 2008, the sneakers set off waves in the sneaker community as people tried to identify the mysterious pair. Afterwards, we saw a series of collaborations between Kanye and Nike, and then later the birth of his line with adidas.” (Highsnobiety)
Kanye West Spotted Wearing Nike Sneakers + Not Yeezy Kicks
In December 2019, the G.O.O.D. Music boss raised eyebrows after getting spotted wearing a pair of non-Adidas kicks. Despite having massive success with his Yeezy foot apparel brand, a pic emerged showing Mr. West returning to his sneaker roots and donning Nikes.
Kanye West Has Another Hit Under His Belt W/ New Yeezys
In March 2021, the Internet was buzzing when legendary hitmaker Kanye West dropped his new Cloud White Yeezy 450 kicks from Adidas. While a lot of people had jokes and slammed the $200 shoes for their design, a lot of people also had to have them; the Yeezys reportedly sold out online in just one minute.