Rapper IDK signed with Nike in 2021 and has since released a few collaborative models, though his latest work isn’t hitting retail shelves. While the star showcased his Air Max 97 “Free Coast” at his high school, his Coachella performance featured another pair from the collection - the Nike Air Max 95.
In an interview with Hypebeast, IDK explained his choices behind the color scheme and sneakers he selected for this impactful design as it's not only a tribute to his African roots but a way to tell a story about the Transatlantic slave trade. Picking the Air Max 95 and 97 was simple for IDK as he stated, “I have a love for the 97 and the 95. I’ve always loved the 95s because I remember The Game referenced them in a song — “Hate It or Love It” — and ever since then I always had my eye on them.”
The color scheme on the pairs comes inspired by Ghana’s and Sierra Leone’s flags as he fuses them in a gradient pattern to pay homage to the “Free Coast,” a place where enslaved individuals could escape and live a free life. IDK hopes that his fusion of these flags can “Create a conversation that educates people on the history of transatlantic slavery.”
As for the sneakers, The Air Max 95 comes in two versions: a canvas and a leather one. The canvas version features black uppers, while the leather comes in a creamy shade. Branding details on both nod to IDK's upcoming album F65 and the “Free Coast” theme. To go along with his Coachella performance, where he had a “pit crew” change his sneakers out mid-performance, one version of the 95 comes with a woven checkerboard pattern similar to a flag found on the race track. For the 97, a creamy finish is applied with the gradient pattern featured on the midfoot. Like the 95, we also see a branding nod to his F65 album and the “Free Coast.”
The IDK x Nike Free Coast Collection will remain a F&F release for IDK’s inner circle, though IDK will raffle off pairs of the Air Max 97 via his Discord. Check down below for detailed images of the collection, and keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app for the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world. Retriever mobile app.
Images via Nike
IDK x Nike Air Max 95 Free Coast "Beige Canvas"
IDK x Nike Air Max 95 Free Coast "Beige Leather"
IDK x Nike Air Max 95 Free Coast "Black Canvas"
IDK x Nike Air Max 95 Free Coast "Black Leather"
IDK x Nike Air Max 97 Free Coast "Beige"
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
