Wale Announces He’s a Sneaker Free Agent and Wants to Work with New Balance

Today, rappers, influencers, and entertainers hold just as much weight in the sneaker world as professional athletes, and in many cases, they are more important to a brand. While we can’t say the same for Wale, the DMV rapper who has long been an influential figure in sneaker culture, he recently released his first widely available Nike collaboration, a special colorway of the Foamposite-adjacent GT Future. However, his recent appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast revealed that he’s no longer in business with The Swoosh.

Speaking on his GT Future collab, Wale told the crew on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, “I would like to do some more. That was one thing, and it went over very well. But I’m a sneaker free agent right now.” After, he pointed at the camera and said: “I’m talking to you New Balance.” Earlier in the show, Carmelo Anthony, who was born in Brooklyn but raised in the DMV area, recalled just how popular NB was in the region. Don’t worry, Jordan Brand, he made sure to note that he himself is not rocking with New Balance, but that the city of Baltimore has always been team NB.

Wale’s Nike History

Over his rap career, Wale has had a close relationship with Nike and dabbled in the world of collaborations with other footwear brands. His first public connection with Nike came via an ad for LRG in 2008, in which he wore the Nike Air Foamposite Eggplant before it dropped. That same year, he dropped 95 pairs of his own Foamdome (a mashup of the Foamposite and Air Max Goadome boot) collab as a nod to I-95. It wouldn’t be until 2024 that we would see Nike tap Wale for an official project once again.

In 2024, Wale led the campaign for the DMV-inspired Nike Air Foamposite Cherry Blossom, and then in 2025 he got his own Air Max Goadome colorway in honor of his latest album, everything is a lot. Then, finally, the public had a chance at a new Wale x Nike collab when he dropped the GT Future.

Wale’s Other Sneaker Collabs

However, in between his 2008 Nike project and the 2025 release of the GT Future, Wale did work with DTLR Villa, the DMV-area sneaker retailer, on multiple collab sneakers. This includes the Asics Gel-Lyte III Bottle Rocket, an unreleased Saucony Grid 9000, a Gel-Lyte III inspired by WWE’s Intercontinental Championship belt, and a Timberland 6-Inch Premium Boot. Now with Saucony and Asics having a major moment in the footwear industry, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Wale to try and build a relationship on his own.

What the Future May Hold for Wale

It seems that New Balance is Wale’s preferred choice, as he hinted on 7PM in Brooklyn, and it’s honestly a solid combo. NB has a deep connection to the DMV area, and the brand is tapping into hip-hop and celebrity endorsements with the likes of Action Bronson and Aminé.

But we should be realistic here. As much as we may love Wale’s music and appreciate what he has done in both rap and sneakers, he’s not a figure that’s going to bring in big numbers for a footwear brand.

The current generation of consumers and the ones growing up now barely know who Wale is, outside of maybe his viral moment with Kai Cenat when the streamer didn’t recognize who he bumped into. Again, we’re not trying to trash on Wale or bring him down; we’d love to see him succeed, but his weight in the culture is not at the same level as contemporaries who have ongoing sneaker collab deals.

Hopefully New Balance answers the call and gives Wale his own colorways of hit models, but we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for the DMV native. Once we get more info, we’ll be sure to update you via the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food. For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com