Pooh Shiesty is officially calling on Nike to acknowledge his massive influence on their balaclava sales. During a recent episode of Complex’s “Sneaker Shopping,” the Memphis rapper made it clear that he feels the athletic giant owes him some credit for the explosion in popularity of the Nike Hyperwarm Knit Hood, an accessory that is now almost exclusively referred to as a “shiesty.”
The conversation started when host Joe La Puma brought up the cultural impact of the mask, which has become a staple for celebrities trying to move through cities unnoticed. A$AP Rocky even recently admitted on “The Questlove Show” that the balaclava is his secret weapon for navigating the New York City subway system.
“When I take the train, I put a Pooh Shiesty on,” Rocky told Questlove. “Sometimes I’m by myself. Sometimes I’m with security. I take the train to keep myself grounded.”
While on “Sneaker Shopping,” La Puma pulled out a packaged Nike hood, leading Pooh Shiesty to comment on how the gear has become his unofficial signature.
“Come on, man. That’s supposed to be me right there, man,” Shiesty said. He went on to agree that the mask’s utility is unmatched. “For real, these junks get you through some places, you know? Like he told you, he snuck through the subway. Wouldn’t be able to do that with no regular [look.]”
When asked if he ever expected his personal style to have such a huge cultural impact, the 1017 rapper admitted he wasn’t looking to start a movement at the time.
“Nah, I ain’t think that,” he answered. “But you know a lot of stuff a man do, a lot of people gravitate to.”
The “shiesty” has moved past being just sports gear, becoming a permanent fixture in both hip-hop culture and high-end streetwear. With everyone using the rapper’s name as a synonym for the mask itself, it’s clear Shiesty’s influence on the brand’s reach is undeniable.
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