Chapter 1
The court classics that changed the world
Chapter 2
The beat of the street
Chapter 3
Track stars and tech marvels
Chapter 4
The modern revival and restoration boom
Ch 2 · The beat of the street
adidas Nike Air Force Ones
Fresh out the box, fresh out the box, we keep the Uptowns fresh out the box.
adidas The group's hit song My Adidas and their laceless, tongue-out Superstar sneakers sparked a massive style revolution
Quiz
What was the title of the 1986 rap song that inspired Adidas to sign a million-dollar deal with a music group?
Quiz
Which hip-hop group signed the historic, first-ever non-athlete shoe endorsement deal with Adidas in 1986?
adidas Hiroshi Fujiwara redesigned vintage Nike Dunks, sparking the global retro trainer revival.
Quiz
Which Tokyo neighborhood is widely credited with inventing modern sneaker collecting culture and limited-edition 'hype' in the 1990s?
Quiz
Which influential Japanese designer, often called the 'Godfather of Streetwear,' helped spark the retro Nike Dunk craze in Tokyo?
Fun Fact
The million-dollar concert: Adidas executives officially signed Run-DMC after attending a Madison Square Garden concert where 20,000 fans held their Adidas sneakers in the air on command.
Quiz
Why did sneakerheads in Liverpool and London nickname the Nike Air Max 95 the '110'?
Quiz
Which music genre, born in London, adopted the Nike Air Max 95 as its official unofficial uniform?
Glossary
trainer (noun)
A soft sports shoe suitable for casual wear. In 1986, the hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. famously brought these athletic shoes into mainstream street fashion.
A soft sports shoe suitable for casual wear. In 1986, the hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. famously brought these athletic shoes into mainstream street fashion.
Quiz
Which rap artist released a hit single in 2002 titled 'Air Force Ones,' dedicated entirely to buying multiple pairs of the sneaker?
Quiz
What nickname did New York sneakerheads give the Nike Air Force 1 due to its massive popularity in Harlem?