The simmering feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has boiled over recently, with both artists battling it out in a war of the words highlighted through their series of ever-intensifying diss tracks. While we hold our breath for what’s next in this lyrical warfare, let’s focus on the sneaker collaboration journeys of these artistic giants and see whose lineup has the heavier punch.
Regarding sneaker collabs, Kendrick Lamar—or, as he is more endearingly known, Kungfu Kenny—has been a consistent player, churning out coveted collaborations with a range of influential brands. But on the opposing side, you have heavyweight sneakerhead Drake, a.k.a. Drizzy, who has carved a niche for himself in the sneaker world through his well-known association with Jordan Brand and Nike. Both musicians have asserted their dominance in the sneaker sphere, but who ultimately wears the crown of Sneaker King? It’s time for Drake and Kendrick Lamar to battle it out.
Round 1 (2015)
Drake:
In 2015, Drake and the Jordan Brand came together for a sneaker collaboration that took the sneaker world by storm. They created the Air Jordan 10 Retro OVO in white and black colourways, and this updated design quickly increased the sneaker’s popularity. These sneakers include a special type of faux-stingray leather and flashy gold branding details for extra appeal. It was a solid example of how a celebrity endorsement can completely transform the perception of a shoe model.
Kendrick Lamar:
Kendrick Lamar is well-known for using socially relevant themes in his music, and he applied the same approach to his 2015 Ventilator sneaker collab with Reebok. Inspired by two rival gangs in his hometown, the design used blue and red colours to represent the Piru Bloods, and Compton Crips set against a neutral tan upper. The shoes also featured hand-drawn illustrations and “Neutral” written on the tongue tags to highlight the shoe’s theme of unity further.
The Winner: In this round, Drake’s Jordan collaboration triumphs based on hype and resale value. However, we still need to appreciate the depth of meaning in Lamar’s designs. He truly is a master storyteller.
Round 2 (2016)
Drake:
In 2016, Drake developed several exclusive sneaker designs with Jordan Brand. However, the one sneakerheads did get a chance to bag is his luxury reflective Air Jordan 12 Retro “OVO White,” featuring a tonal white tumbled leather and faux-stingray leather pairing, essentially mirroring the gold-touched style of his AJ 10 model from the previous year. Alongside the sneakers came the chic OVO Hydro Slides. These products featured Drake’s signature OVO branding and various upscale details, contributing to their high demand and value.
In the same year, Jordan gifted Drake several unique sneaker designs. This included a gleaming white Jordan 6 Low, he referred to as the “Hot 100s”, and a completely gold pair of OVO 11s. This distinctive gold pair of 11s appeared at Sotheby’s auction in 2021, fetching a remarkable $20,160 USD.
Kendrick Lamar:
Continuing his partnership with Reebok, Lamar released a range of Classic Leather designs echoing the previous year’s message of peace and unity. First up was a sneaker design that honoured the ‘RED/BLUE’ theme of their very first Ventilator collab. Of course, Kendrick himself caused a stir with these beauties when he wore them for his unforgettable Grammy performance that same year.
The same year, Reebok and Lamar created another take on the Classic Leather. This version, through its split design, mirrored the dichotomies of rival gangs. The shoe’s midfoot window also showcases the letter ‘K’, representing Kendrick’s initials and further personalising the shoe.
Reebok and Kenny changed things up a little with the release of the ‘Perfect Split’ range. This set presented five colour options of the Classic Leather, showing a symbolic nod to Lamar’s dual personalities. The men’s ‘White/Black’ and ‘Black/Grey’, along with ‘White/Grey’ for women, reflected this theme beautifully, while the navy and red pairs showcase the balance between different external forces.
At the close of 2016, Lamar and Reebok delivered another Classic Leather creation- The Classic Leather Lux. What made this version distinct was a consistent shade of murky olive green formed by mixing the two different colours of the Bloods and Crips gang. It was a powerful statement on unity and solidarity, showcasing Kenny’s dedication to promoting peace and harmony through his art and collaborations.
The Winner: Even though Kendrick’s collaborative pieces always have an intriguing narrative woven into them, he is ultimately competing against the legacy of Air Jordans. That’s a tough matchup, but his ‘Perfect Split’ collab in the red colourway does call out to me.
Round 3 (2017)
Drake:
Drake unfolded another chapter in his sneaker game back in 2017. First, he launched the all-black version of the Air Jordan 12 Retro OVO, which was still quite a hit even though it didn’t quite match up to the same allure as its white predecessor from 2016. It featured a smooth black nubuck, elegant stingray overlays, and the famous OVO branding.
Moreover, Drake also introduced a new version of Jordan’s Trunner LX. This unique white/black release featured Drake’s recognisable owl in place of the iconic Jumpman logo. Fans saw it for the first time at the opening of Jordan’s retail store, 306 Yonge, in Toronto.
And there’s more. Drake gifted two dedicated Air Jordan 8 Retros to friends and family of the University of Kentucky. These sneakers were created in honour of Coach John Calipari and were limited to only 80 pairs being made.
However, one of the most hyped Drake shoes from 2016 was the ‘Splatter’ Air Jordan 4. Despite fans’ anticipation, it wasn’t released for retail, but a sample was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2020 for $32,000 USD!
Kendrick Lamar:
In 2017, Kendrick Lamar released a distinctive Club C sneaker in collaboration with Reebok. This shoe was designed to promote equality and featured a washed black and white denim base teamed with vibrant red accents. Sadly, this would be Lamar’s final collaboration with Reebok. They ended on a fitting note, though.
The Winner: While the finer details of Kendrick Lamar’s Club C’s certainly do grab our attention, we’ll take a tonal AJ12 sneaker any day—and mind you, that didn’t even top the list of Drake’s partnerships with Jordan in 2017. It was, however, one of the scant few styles that eager sneaker enthusiasts could realistically aim to add to their collection.
Round 4 (2018)
Drake:
In 2018, there were a few hiccups in Drake’s partnership with Nike. However, he still managed to introduce a solid portfolio of high-flying sneakers. The show began with the black and white pairs of the Jordan 8 Retro OVOs. The white pair made a sophisticated impression with its all-white leather upper, whereas the black Retro 8, combining black leather and suede, created a subtle cool factor. Both were highlighted with gold accents and discreet OVO owl logos. Though they launched at the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, getting your hands on a pair was challenging.
The ‘God’s Plan’ Jordan 14, another exciting creation from that year, was even more challenging to come by. This was another sneaker in Drake’s lineup that was not officially released, but you can find this rare beauty on FlightClub, retailing for over 60,000 USD.
Another memorable Drake-Jordan sneaker from 2018 was the Air Jordan 8, Charles Oakley PE. This shoe pays homage to Oakley’s time on the Raptor’s basketball team. The design aligned nicely with the team colours and sported Oakley’s jersey number and initials. It remained true to its OVO origins, with a gold OVO owl on the heel pull and a gold Jumpman.
Kendrick Lamar:
Having hopped onto the Nike train, Lamar’s first sneaker release was the iconic Cortez, a model well-loved in his hometown. The unique Kendrick Lamar x Nike Cortez Kenny 1 came in black and white but had flashy red stitch details and a ‘DAMN’ branding that took over the typical Swoosh on the side. Also, they tweaked the logo on the shoe tongue. Of course, this was the first of many Cortez collaborations that unfolded in 2018.
Not wasting any time, Lamar and Nike launched the Cortez Kenny 2 at the NBA All-Star Weekend the same year. This pair transported wearers to Chinese street style with its red and white design and Chinese scripts translating to ‘DAMN’ spread across the upper. It turned out to be a crowd-pleaser among Lamar’s Cortez releases.
The TDE x Nike merchandise collection was host to the third Cortez colab (Cortez Kenny 3), released during the 2018 tour. The vibe was similar to the Cortez Kenny 2, with a slight twist—black nylon and suede paired with white leather for a more classic look.
Nike and Lamar’s fourth collaboration on the ‘House Shoes’ Cortez is a tribute to Los Angeles’ fondness for both the Cortez shoe and indoor footwear. The shoes stand out with a laceless design in shades of white, navy, grey, and orange. A bold ‘HOUSE SHOES’ label graces the grey oversized tongue, and a heel toggle allows for a personalised fit, merging old-school style with contemporary comfort. Pretty cool.
The Winner: Based purely on collaborations released, this round of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar sneaker battle must go to Kung Fu Kenny. As a fan of Cortez, I find his distinct spin on it indisputably refreshing.
Round 5 (2019-2021: you know, because COVID happened)
Drake:
In August 2018, the market saw the debut of the Jordan 4 Retro “Raptors,” a sneaker draped in Toronto’s signature colours of black, red, and purple. However, it was June 2019 that was host to a special release of the same model, yet this time, it had Drake’s name boldly displayed on the tongue. This highly sought-after edition celebrated the Raptors’ first NBA Championship win.
Kendrick Lamar:
There was heated speculation in 2019 about a possible Kendrick Lamar x Nike Air Force 1 release. However, Lamar dispelled the rumours by posting a monochrome shot of him donning his React Element 55. The sneakers symbolise the yin and yang motif, featuring a split marble graphic on the upper. They embody Kung Fu Kenny—Lamar’s rap persona—and are a fitting follow-up to the Classic Leather ‘Perfect Split’ series launched in 2016.
The Winner: Although the pandemic brought the thrilling sneaker collaborations to a grinding halt from 2019–2022, judging by these releases, Drake emerges as the winner of this round. But I don’t know. I really like the look of the React Element 55, what do y’all think? Who wins this round of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar sneaker battle?
Round 6 (2022)
Drake:
In 2022, Drake unveiled his much-anticipated signature shoe with Nike, known as the ‘Hot Step’. This shoe draws inspiration from training shoes of the late ’90s, specifically citing the Jordan 14, Air Max, and Air Terra Humara. It successfully portrays Drake’s fondness for 90s nostalgia.
Additionally, an all-white version of the Air Force 1 was released that year. The distinguished pair subtly nods to Drake’s favourite childhood book, with the words “Love You Forever” delicately inscribed on the midsole. Other unique elements include customised shoe laces and a new perforation pattern on the toe box, showcasing the NOCTA logo on the left heel.
Kendrick Lamar:
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar’s brand, pgLang, joined forces with Converse in 2022 to release innovative interpretations of the Chuck 70 and Pro Leather. These revamped designs echo Kendrick’s distinctive style and art of storytelling. They feature standout metallic-silver-laced loops akin to hiking boot detailing, contrasting stitching, and unique branding elements to round out the collection’s identity.
The Winner: While Kendrick’s Converse collaboration stands out with its minimalist yet tasteful design, Drake’s move to launch his own signature shoe line with Nike gives him a slight upper hand in this round.
Round 7 (2023)
Drake:
Fresh off the back of his debut footwear release, Drake launched a subsequent Nike sneaker, thoughtfully borrowing elements from Jason Kidd’s Air Zoom Flight ’95. Enter the Nike NOCTA Glide, a harmonious blend of woven detailing on the sides and midsole inserts, nodding to the iconic carbon fibre panel of the original ’90s shoe. Add to that ensemble a mesh foundation, ‘NIKE’ lettering down the eyestay, and a see-through sole, and you have a charming fusion of old and new.
Kendrick Lamar:
Following their first Converse collaboration in 2022, pgLang fired off another minimalist version of the classic Chuck Taylor silhouette, but this time in black. You’ve got two options—one boasts navy blue pinstripes on the left shoe and an Irish Cream duo on the right. The other is a switcharoo of the pinstripe colours. It’s another refined take on a classic silhouette.
The Winner: Again, Drake inches ahead, capturing the spotlight with his own signature shoe line instead of a shared collaboration. Yet, if you ask me, both shoe ranges leave something to be desired.
Round 8 (2024)
Drake:
This year, we’re expecting a tonne of colour variations of Drake’s freshly minted NOCTA x Nike Hot Step 2 to flood the market, as well as many other releases from his NOCTA line. However, given the harsh lyrical jabs recently thrown out by Lamar, it’s unclear whether they’ll generate the same buzz as previous drops.
Kendrick Lamar:
Kendrick’ Kung Fu Kenny’ Lamar has yet to drop hints about approaching sneaker collaborations this year. However, only time will tell if he has a surprise release up his sleeve.
The Winner: We’re still holding our breath on this one. This round of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar sneaker battle still isn’t over yet.
The Verdict:
We must emphasise that this sneaker battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar revolves solely around sneaker collaborations, not musical talent (or current likeability). With that said, Drizzy takes home the trophy for his many hyped and sought-after sneaker releases with Nike and Jordan Brand. While Lamar has presented consistently elegant themes and narratives for his collabs, the models he’s chosen to dress up don’t draw the same attention as Drake’s choice of the coveted Jordan silhouettes. On that point alone, we have to give the edge to Drake over Kendrick in this ongoing battle of sneaker collaborations. However, when it comes to diss tracks, well, that’s a whole different story.
Who gets your vote in the battle of Drake and Kendrick Lamar sneaker collaborations? Do you reckon Drizzy or Kenny wears the crown?
Source: Sneaker Freaker, Complex
