Yeezy’s are easily one of the most popular sneaker brands of the 21st century. They are also one of the fastest-growing brands to hit the sneaker game in decades.
Their popularity seemed to skyrocket overnight — their personality matching that of their iconic creator.
Kanye West dove head-first into the sneaker game back in 2009 with the release of the first Yeezys: The Nike Air Yeezy 1. This $250 high-top sneaker was a major hit, with the original line now worth thousands of dollars per pair.
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Did you know that Kanye West originally partnered with Nike to release his line? The partnership didn’t last long. In 2012, West released the Air Yeezy 2 with Nike as he continued fighting for creative control.
image from Nike
But by 2015, he was ready to sever his ties with the popular performance brand in favor of a $10 million Adidas deal and complete creative control over his line.
Ever since his first Adidas collab — the Yeezy Boost 350 — Yeezys have been the fastest-selling shoe on the market. Every new drop sells out in minutes. You’re lucky if you can be one of the first ones rocking a pair of new Yeezys.
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Everyone who has stayed up nights and waited in early morning lines understands the pain.
Over the years, West experimented with new styles and looks — high tops, low tops, and even an UGG-looking design.
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In addition to the Yeezy Boost 350, West next rolled out the Yeezy Boost 750 by 2016, the Yeezy Powerhouse by 2017, the Yeezy Boost 700 and the Yeezy 500 by 2018, and the Yeezy Powerphase by 2019.
Image from Adidas
2019 was a big year for West and Adidas. This year, he rolled out 3 new sneakers — the Yeezy Boost 350 V2, the Yeezy Boost 700 V2, and the Yeezy Desert Boot.
Image from Adidas
With so many versions and so many designs, it’s no wonder Yeezy sales are record-breaking. Kanye West has prided himself on creating these “shoes of the future,” and he has certainly succeeded. West successfully broke the internet with his shoe line, keeping people on their toes throughout the entire ride. And he’s not done yet.
Yeezy’s made a visceral impact on the sneaker industry. These sneakers changed the way people thought about performance shoes. And they changed the way people bought shoes. A multi-billion-dollar brand has that kind of effect.
Image from Adidas
And Yeezy’s aren’t going out of style any time soon.
We’re still here, waiting to see what fantastical creation he will think up next. And you can be sure we will be ready when he does.