words // Nick DePaula:
Sure, we cover Kanye West frequently here, and of course, we love page views too. But we won’t be mixing messages or misleading people with rumors and innuendos that have no merit. We won’t be overreacting and pretending that a simple “photo op” possibly sent “shockwaves rippling through the sneaker world.”
Ideally you like reading actual good content, like our hour-long sitdown interview with adidas’ Director of Entertainment Marketing Jon Wexler, who actually signed Kanye West to adidas and told us all about it.
Wexler has confirmed to Nice Kicks on multiple occasions that things couldn’t be on better terms between adidas and Kanye, no matter the rumors and hearsay. They’re excited to launch new footwear once again this spring, and just recently had a series of day-long meetings in southern California.
On his latest track with Kendrick Lamar, “No Parties In LA,” Ye rapped, “Some days I’m in my Yeezys / Some days I’m in my Vans.”
Which is generally true, and totally fine.
Since signing on with adidas, Kanye has worn, of course, all three of his Yeezy models, along with the Ultra Boost, Stan Smith, SL Loop, Pure Boost, ZX Flux, Energy Boost ESM, Y-3 Qasa Racer and others.
“He’s really diversified his mix with us, and he does that out of the spirit of partnership,” Wex told me. “That’s all just love, that he does that.”
Kanye, who actually just recently reached agreement on a new extension with adidas, doesn’t technically exclusively have to wear adidas footwear at all times. He can wear Visvims. He can wear Bottega Venetta Chelsea boots. Yes, he can even wear Vans full or half Cabs.
That doesn’t mean he’s leaving adidas. It doesn’t mean he’s signing with Vans. It just means Kanye felt like wearing Vans while in the studio for a day. Moving on…
