The West Coast gang culture
is something that Kendrick has
explored through his music,
and now he's extending it to
his trainer collab. His Reebok
Ventilators are off-white
suede with BLUE on the left
shoe and RED on the right,
the colours of Crips and the
Bloods respectively. The tag in
the tongue of each shoe reads
NEUTRAL as well as featuring
K. Dot's signature. These are no
ordinary kicks; they're about
peace, respect and unity.
With the release of the trainers,
Kendrick shared a video of
two gang members, G Weed
and Jigga, a Blood and a Crip
respectively, discussing the
shoes and what they represent.
Jigga had this to say, "his
message is about a whole lotta
peace and unity, and Kendrick
is really giving us a reason and
giving us an understanding of
why we should have unity or
why we should really wanna do
this…we taking steps together."
Kendrick also featured red and
blue imagery in the cover art
for his single 'i'. Speaking in
September last year, this is what
he had to say about it, "Where
I'm from, there's a lot of gang
culture and things like that, so
instead of throwing on up gang
signs, which we used to, I put a
Blood and I put a Crip together
and we're throwing up hearts…
Sparking the idea of some type
of change through music or
through me because I go back
to the city now and people give
me the honor and respect that,
you know, this kid can change
a little bit something different
that's been going on in the
community."
As always, Kendrick is using his
power and influence for good.
Long may he continue.
7
13
Issue 78 / 2015
FASHION
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Kendrick Lamar tries to unite gangs through
trainers
Reebok ClassiC x
kendRiCk lamaR
