Adidas and in particular their Superstar shoe have had a tight relationship with rap and specifically Def Jam since the early 80s. With a long line of collaborations over the years their latest joint effort sees Redman, Method Man and Ghostface each serve a superstar as well as a Forum Mid and a Stan Smith. Personal favourites are Red’s “Funk Doc” Red Superstar and Meth’s Dark Blue and Turquoise Superstar which without a crazy amount of colours or something like horsehair and diamonds are both eye catching. With the line also including efforts by Young Jeezy the Def Jam collection is widely available now in places like Size? and Crooked Tongues.

Having served up uninspired, readily available dunks most of the year Nike SB have released the Brain Wreck, a joint effort with regular collaborator Todd Bratrud. An interesting effort which includes detailed stitching on the inside to resemble a human brain. These Dunks are likely to stay US only and your best bet to get hold of a pair is eBay for around $200 US. One dunk that will be hitting these shores is the now infamous Gucci Dunk High. Having been cancelled in 2005 these should now be with us next month. Also worth keeping an eye out for from Nike SB is the Stefan Janoski which is of the boating shoe style that is becoming increasingly popular. Samples with a possible release for next year include a Black Corduroy and a Peacock design.

On a psychedelic arty tip the legendary cartoonist Robert Crumb has got together with Vans on a line of sneakers which include a Fritz the Cat slip on and a Mr Natural Sk8 High. Along with two other models this line should be in the UK shortly and is a welcome addition to Crumb’s contribution to fashion having previously worked with Supreme.

Speaking of Supreme to wrap things up the chaps at Sneakernews have posted a nice gallery of their joint efforts with Nike and Vans. Covering everything from the infamous and very expensive Dunk Low’s from 2002 to this months Micro Check old school Vans available at Hideout it’s a nice tribute to Supreme’s understated but always very prestigious and exclusive designs. O F

Filed under: Fashion, Rap, Sneakers by D.K.