There's no flip flops in Hip-hop

As you've probably noticed I've made a few references to hip-hop in my posts. Seems as though the sneakerhead community and the hip-hop community have become almost one in the same. Not to say that sneakerheads only listen to hip-hop or that hip-hop artists only wear sneakers by any means. But everywhere u look in hip-hop you do hear references to "sneakers", "kicks", "shoe -game" etc. You can even go as far as to say that arguably hip-hop determines what is "hot" and what is not when it comes to sneakers. Think about it. Every shoe that you see in a hip-hop video, sells out in stores.The free promotion has become the best way to market a shoe. Companies have even started giving artists shoe deals. Take Reebok and 50 Cent for example, A writer from a-1sneakers.com writes,

"Back in 2003, the group G-Unit led by rapper 50 Cent released its debut album called “Beg for mercy”. It had an astonishing success, selling more than two million copies, which led Reebok to release a new line, G Unit Sneakers.G Unit sneakers are not only the most successful products in Reebok’s history but they’re also the most popular hip-hop items ever created.50 Cent endorsed and helped Reebok promote G Unit Sneakers ever since by wearing them almost everywhere. His fans also started wearing G Unit Sneakers because they wanted to be just like their idol, in every aspect.The line evolved and now it includes G Unit boots, t-shirts, and even sunglasses which have also proven to be a huge success for the company.Hopefully, following G-Unit Sneaker’s success, Reebok will release even more great products that will rock the market."

Other artists that have been able to acquire a contract: Eminem, Missy Elliot, Pharell Williams, Daddy Yankee (Reggaeton Artist), & Masta P.

Sneakers and hip-hop go hand in hand..or even better sock in shoe

Look What I Found!

Ok technically I didn't really find it, but i came across this website when I was doing research on my topic:

http://www.sneakerhead.com/

Yup. Somebody has beaten me to the punch...well kind of. Really it's a site that has information on new releases of the hottest shoes on the market. However, it doesn't really give information on what makes or doesn't make someone a sneakerhead. I just thought it'd be a good resource for any other shoe buyers who might need a site to buy shoes.

I like to use http://www.karmaloop.com to buy clothes and sneakers.
http://www.hypebeast.com is a good site to get some inside information on shoes, clothes, accessories, etc. that may be being released as well.

Just thought I'd share.

Welcome to My Blog: History of an "Obsession"

So, I was forced to create a blog for Prof. Hart's Advanced Composition class and i thought to myself , "what on earth do i want to blog about?. Nothing. If i wanted to blog about something i would have already." Terrible train of thought to have for an all-semester assignment. Negative attitudes get you nowhere in life, right? So on second thought I decided to choose something that has intreseted me for years-shoes. An intrest thats origins came from none other than my beautiful mother, not because she's obsessed with them or anything, but because of a statement she made to me when I was fairly new to the world, "Erik, you can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he has on his feet." From that point on I payed more attention to the shoes on my feet and in my closet than the race for presidency or even the cost of gasoline. A shoe fettish almost. Now, I've never claimed to be a "sneakerhead" but I do know some. Or do I? What constitutes a "sneakerhead" really? That is what I intend to clarify with this blog. Today marks a long journey, on foot, to find out.