words // Brandon Richard
images // Nick DePaula
Ten years ago today, a confident kid from the Windy City changed the way we view hip hop and the landscape of music in general.
Kanye West realized his life's dream when his debut album The College Dropout officially hit shelves across the world on February 10, 2004. Lauded by critics for its innovation and honesty, the album would go on to sell more than 4 million copies worldwide and win West his first two Grammy Awards. Some would say that it also influenced all the music that would follow.
Before adding his touch to Louis Vuitton sneakers or flipping the sneaker culture upside down with his Air Yeezy series, Kanye received an exclusive 'College Dropout' colorway of the Nike Air Max 180. Created in 2005 to celebrate the album's success, the shoe was black-based with vibrant color pops, leopard heel overlays and College Dropout bears on the tongues. The shoe was produced in Kanye's size 12, with additional sizes hitting the auction circuit over the years.
Check out a few shots of Kanye wearing his 'College Dropout' 180s, as featured in Issue 8 and The 60 Best Photos Featured In Sole Collector Magazine.
