Jay-Z’s Favorite Shoes From His 30-Year Career

Jay-Z is set to take over Yankee Stadium this weekend for three nights of concerts celebrating both the 30th anniversary of “Reasonable Doubt” and the 25th anniversary of “The Blueprint.”

Since releasing his debut album 30 years ago, the rapper and business mogul’s style transformation has been plain to see (as has his hair in the last decade after a long commitment to a buzz cut). But throughout all the various styles, a few shoe models have had long periods of endurance — some even for the entirety of his time in the spotlight.

Some are obvious, such as models from one-time partners Reebok and Puma or core New York City silhouettes such as the Nike Air Force One Low and Timberland 6-Inch Boot. But there are also some unexpected choices over the years, including a long love affair with the Adidas Superstar.

Footwear News takes a look at the shoes that have had a most steady presence in Jay-Z’s rotation over the past three decades below and in the gallery above.

Nike Air Force One Low

Jay-Z has favored the Nike Air Force One Low throughout his entire career, most frequently in its classic “Triple White” colorway. He even continued to wear it while he had his Reebok deal, suggesting looser terms than we typically see. The silhouette is a hip-hop classic and, much like the next entry, is also a staple in his native New York City.

The most consistent footwear choice through Jay-Z’s career has been Timberland‘s 6-inch boot in its “Wheat” and all-black colorways. There was somewhat of a lull for the boots in the mid- to late-2000s, but they’ve remained a fixture from around 2010 till now.

Reebok S. Carter

Naturally, Jay-Z wore his Reebok S. Carter loads during his four-year partnership with Reebok that began in 2003 (but not exclusively). The silhouette was inspired by an early ’80s Gucci model, which also informed a colorway with green and red accents, and was even revived with a one-off pair made for the rapper and mogul to wear at the 2024 Super Bowl. Although Reebok has recently revived its shoes for Pharrell and 50 Cent from the same era, no such plan for Jay-Z has yet to be revealed.

Nike SB Dunk

Like many a sneakerhead, Jay-Z took to several Nike SB Dunks during the skateboarding line’s early years, including the famed MF Dumed and Huf SB Dunk Highs.

Nike Blazer Mid

Jay-Z had a run with the Nike Blazer Mid in the late 2000s and favored fairly simple colorways.

Adidas Superstar

Although it’s received nowhere near the same attention as other shoes on this list, the Adidas Superstar has also been a favorite model for Jay-Z throughout his career. Before him, Run-DMC made history as the first musicians to get an endorsement deal for a shoe brand after showing their love for the Adidas classic.

Radii Moonwalker

Jay-Z fell heavily for the strapped high-top from Radii, a California brand launched in 2008, during his “Blueprint three Tour” and around the same time Supra’s Skytop was at the peak of its popularity.

Air Jordan 3

After wearing Air Jordans occasionally earlier in his career, Jay-Z routinely turned to the Air Jordan three in the 2010s in its renowned “Black Cement” and “White Cement” colorways.

Nike Air Yeezy 2

With the benefit of knowing a guy, Jay-Z frequently sported Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy two in its “Solar Red” and “Pure Platinum” colorways prior to his longtime collaborator’s move to Adidas.

Jay-Z’s 2018 appointment as creative director of Puma Basketball never reached the heights expected and seemed to quietly fizzle out, but he was loyal to the Clyde while the deal was in place.