The music of New Orleans has touched the lives of locals and visitors alike. Now, Nike is paying homage to the lively scene with a line of limited edition Nola Air Force Ones.
This one-of-a-kind sneaker is dedicated to the 1990s Nola rap era that ushered in today’s hip-hop veterans, including Lil Wayne and Master P, and the Cash Money and No Limit imprints that shaped them.
Nikes took their classic white Air Force Ones and remixed them with a silver, glittered Nike check resembling the crushed diamonds that have adorned the necks of rap stars for decades with gold trim around the check. Gold 504 charms are attached to the laces with an embossed “Nola” on the rear of the shoe. Intricate gold accents are also placed in various spots on the sneaker. Nike is making these new kicks available exclusively in the Big Easy, collaborating with Sneaker Politics to carry the AF1 in the 226 Decatur Street store in the French Quarter.
The flashy pair of sneakers will go on sale Saturday, October 29th. As of now, they are only being offered in men’s sizes. No plans for women’s and kids’ measures have been announced.
New Orleans is not the only city being honored with custom AF1s. Nike will also celebrate the rap influence in other major cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Brooklyn. With the capsule collection, Nike is also celebrating the 40th anniversary of the bestselling sneaker, which has become a staple in hip-hop. This is largely thanks to St. Louis star Nelly, whose famous 2002 hit “Air Force Ones” drove sneaker sales to record-breaking heights.
