A Tribe Called Quest Are Releasing Their Own Line Of Sneakers For Kickin’ It (Video)

A Tribe Called Quest is a legendary Hip-Hop group which has had a major impact on fashion. In their earliest days, the group helped usher in a new era of afrocentrism and, in later years, as they moved, so did their listeners. A year later, Phife Dawg he had legions of Hip-Hop Heads “wearing New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path,” with the ultimate shout out on Low End Theory’sBuggin’ Out.”

Approaching one year since the release of #1 sixth LP, We got it from Here…Thank You 4 Your service, A.T.C.Q. has announced a new sneaker partnership. Working with Vans, the collective formed by Q-Tip, Phife, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White has previewed the shoe named “Bonita” (after Tribe’s female silhouette logo/character and 1990 hit). While “Bonita” typically appeared in red, black, and green on famed Quest artwork, the first shoe launches in all-white leather. “Bonita Applebum” appears embroidered on the side of the hi-top.

The Vans x A Tribe Called collaboration debuted at this past weekend’s ComplexCon.

At the same Long Beach, California event, there was a Threads Shop pop-up store for A Tribe Called Quest. Ali and longtime crew affiliate Consequence were on hand.

Another legendary 1990s New York Rap collective is back in the fashion game too. Last week, Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu-Wear issued some of its first designs since the relaunch. Ahead of a full 2018 collection, the initial run features call-backs to the collective’s 1990s run. Created by RZA and Oliver “Power” Grant in 1995, Wu-Wear had international retail stores (beginning in the group’s Shaolin home of Staten Island), with distribution at department stores including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Wu-Wear was discontinued in 2008.

According to Billboard, the relaunch is a partnership between RZA, Power, and Live Nation. “Wu-Wear was the first Hip-Hop brand to be in the windows on Macy’s 34th St.,” RZA said when the news broke in August. “Now that we are aware and re-energized for our legacy, we felt it was the proper time to re-enter the market. Not in a boutique way, but to go big, once again.”

While Wu just released The Saga Continues, A Tribe Called Quest retired from performing this September. The move came in the wake of Phife’s 2016 passing.