YG Explains Why He Rejected a Major Sneaker Deal

Having recently discussed Bompton style with us, YG sat down with Complex to go in-depth about sneakers, revealing that he turned down a major shoe deal because he “wasn’t really feeling the sneakers.” In light of Drake’s OVO Air Jordans and Future’s recent deal with Reebok, YG’s sneaker deal rejection is a refreshing approach to consumerist traps that befall many of his counterparts. “We’re like walking billboards,” he observes, all too aware of the ways that companies capitalize on artists of the moment.

While YG’s affinity for classic West Coast street garb has been well documented, the Still Brazy rapper does not shy away from an opportunity to experiment and set trends. In June, an Instagram photo of YG’s outfit at the Golf Wang fashion show circulated as the rapper was seen rocking a bulletproof vest and a pair of bright red Toms. While the color scheme aligned perfectly with YG’s gangsta rap aesthetic, this cosigning of the Toms brand was beyond expected. In an interview with Complex, the Bompton figurehead explains this particular fashion choice as well as his thoughts on Kendrick’s Reebok collaboration and his favorite sneakers.

Read on below for the highlights and be sure to check out the interview in its entirety here.

You wore a pair of Toms, how did that come about?

I just seen them one day. You know me, I’m always trying to do some different shit: create shit, start trends. So I seen the Toms and they looked like the shoes I used to wear in the county jail. But I was like, “These are kind of fly,” so I grabbed a couple pair and started wearing them. Tyler, The Creator had his Golf Wang fashion show, and I was like, “I’m about to go stunt.” So I put the Toms on with the vest and that shit went viral.

Have brands ever talked to you about getting your own sneaker?
Yeah, I had a brand holler at me about getting my own sneaker, but I wasn’t really feeling the sneakers.

You see Drake getting his own Air Jordans and Future just signed with Reebok, do you think that’s a good lane for rappers to get into?
We’re like walking billboards. We let motherfuckers know what’s going on. We have a lot of influence. The brands are giving rappers the shoes because of those reasons, ya feel me? They gonna help the fucking brand make a lot more money. It will make the brand cool and make it look like they know what’s going on out here in the rap world and the streets. They’re buying their cred.

What did you think about Kendrick’s shoe?

That was lit. That’s what he preach, so that’s what’s up right there. He preach that up in his records, so he’s going to do what he keeps doing and bring it to life. I respect that.

You said you still love the Cortez, I’m sure you feel the same way about the Converse Chuck Taylor?

Chucks, Cortez and Vans, that’s all I wear and I collect Jordans.

What’s your favorite?

The 1s, the V, VIIs, VIIIs, the IIs a little bit. The IVs, too.