Are Jay-Z & Nike Up to Something?
Jay-Z and Nike have been crossing paths quite a lot lately. First, the longtime PUMA gawd started wearing Nike sneakers again. Now, Jay-Z is out here hanging out with some of Nike's buzziest collaborators.
This past week, Japan received two sprinkles of stardust: Jay-Z and Beyoncé came to town. While in Tokyo, Beyoncé hosted a meet-and-greet to celebrate the release of her long-awaited Cowboy Carter album. Can I get a "bey-haw?"
As for Jay-Z's plans, the musician attended some events, took a couple of pics, and hung out with some Nike partners. Nothing too crazy.
Specifically, Jay-Z grabbed flicks with AMBUSH's Yoon Ahn and Girls Don't Cry's Verdy, both Nike family members who have dished out a solid Nike Dunk or two in the past.
I couldn't quite make out Jay-Z's footwear choice for the evening (most pics of him from that night ironically stopped at his knees).
But it wasn't hard to ID the designer of Jay-Z's buttery leather jacket: UNDERCOVER (thanks to the sizable chest tag). I'd also like to remind you of UNDERCOVER's Nike ISPA OverReact sneakers as well as its hand in the Air Moc's comeback.
Is this a bit of a stretch in the speculation department? Perhaps. But it's also just a simple fact: Jay-Z is wearing UNDERCOVER, which has also worked with the Beaverton sportswear giant.
Jay-Z's footwear has been PUMA-strong for the past few years. He was named creative director of PUMA basketball in 2018 and has been rocking the brand's footwear heavily ever since. Most Jay-Z sightings weren't without an appearance from the leaping feline on his feet — that is, until last year.
Jay-Z surprised us all in 2023 when he appeared in a photo with Beyoncé wearing Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers. Aside from a super quiet Union x Nike moment in 2021, I couldn't remember the last time we'd seen Jay-Z in Nike sneakers.
Other sneaker brands have crept into Jay-Z's rotation again recently. But Nike's presence with Jay-Z is beginning to extend beyond the feet. It's reaching selfie levels with some of Nike's most sought-after partners. Jay-Z's own kid seems to prefer that unmistakable checks on her shoes.
So, what's going on? Are Jay-Z and Nike planning to join forces? A source claimed Jay-Z is no longer "affiliated" with PUMA, which would make the musician a free agent in sneaker brand ties.
However, the mystery remains whether Jay-Z and Nike have a collaboration in the works or are even working together at all. One thing is for sure: the two can't stay away from each other.
