When Hip-Hop royalty meets sneaker company greatness, it is bound to be something great!
Rapper Raekwon has teamed up with Diadora and Foot Locker to launch a community initiative called Community Linx that’s rooted in both music and sneaker culture and encompasses city-specific Diadora N9002 sneaker capsules to be sold exclusively at Foot Locker and Champs Sports.
“Foot Locker, Inc. is continuously looking for ways to make a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said John Hochadel, Vice President, Global Concepts and Energy at Foot Locker, Inc., in an official news release shared with AfroTech. “We are excited to team with Raekwon and Diadora and collaborate on a program designed to empower and inspire. We look forward to seeing the impact this program has on everyone it touches.”
Community Linx
Community Linx is inspired by the iconic first studio album by Raekwon, “Only Built For Cuban Linx,” which first dropped in 1995. Now, more than 25 years later, the rapper’s legacy continues with one thing still at the top of mind — the culture.
“I concepted Community Linx because I wanted to bring music and sneaker culture together in a meaningful way,” said Raekwon. “I’m thankful that Diadora and Foot Locker, Inc. believed in my vision. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of music talent by providing them with tools and resources to hone their craft. I can’t wait to hear their work. Every sneaker capsule represents the hustle of each city and hopefully serves as a reminder to keep chasing your dreams.”
Additionally, the three have linked up to select 16 up-and-coming musicians from New York City for an exclusive, invite-only, four-week beat-making course to be hosted by producer and DJ Scram Jones. They’ll also have the opportunity to present those beats to Raekwon himself as well as fellow New York emcee Dave East. Here, participants will receive direct feedback and counsel from some of Hip-Hop’s heavy hitters along with a brand new pair of the N9002 NYC sneakers.
The Capsules
Kicking off with a universal Diadora N9002 along with an NYC-inspired Diadora N9002 available only in men’s sizes, the capsules will be available for purchase on Jan. 27.
“Our latest collaboration with Raekwon is built on a shared commitment to community and passion for music and sport,” said Claudio Bora, CEO of Diadora. “We’re excited to provide young musicians with an opportunity to gain experience from some of the best artists in the business and each city with a sneaker that celebrates its unique qualities.”
The N9002 NYC capsule is blue and orange and the universal N9002 capsule comes in black and grey with both sneakers featuring a nylon-sued upper and rubber outsole for increased durability and traction.
Other cities with forthcoming capsules include Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
