We’re All In The Same Gang…When Wearing Kendrick Lamar Sneakers

Compton, California star Kendrick Lamar has spoken frequently in lyrics about gang tensions. Whether the MC Eiht-assisted “m.A.A.d city” or the recent single, “i,” the TDE/Aftermath MC aims to unify Crips, Bloods, and multiple neighborhoods in the interest of life, love, and survival.

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Lamar’s Reebok collaboration, the Ventilators, are an extension of this idea. Previews of the major sneaker suggest armistice among the neighborhoods and colors, in white shoes that feature “Red” and “Blue” embroidered on the opposing sneakers. Each foot’s shoe has a color-matching tongue label, featuring the words “neutral” in white. Kendrick Lamar’s signatures and the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) logo on on the outer-facing tongue. Reportedly priced at $142, the July 18 releases were previewed at France’s Sneakers.fr site:

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As more and more artists veer into shoes, is this the most poignant take to date?

Related: Sole Survivors: A New Documentary Explores the Cultural Obsession With Sneakers (Video)