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Shoe Game Legends
Shoe Game LegendsHere are some names you see often when it comes to the "Shoe Game", and although you see the names, do you even know who they are? Well, here is some pretty brief and interesting information about some of the "Shoe Game" legends. Artist/Designers Dave White Dave is a painter from the United Kingdom, and is very well known around the world for his sneaker paintings. His paintings are done on canvas and you know Dave’s work when you see it. You can’t get his paintings confused with any other artist because his paintings have a signature look. They are usually paintings of Dunks, Jordans, and Air Force 1's, in other words the HOTTEST shoes in the "Shoe Game". Dave is also a DJ, clothing designer with his own line of T-Shirts and off course a painter. You can see some of his work in the Sneaker Pimps world tour, sneaker magazines, or go to davewhite.me.uk.
Eric Haze Eric was born in Manhattan in 1961. He started writing graffiti in 1972. Haze has done work for Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, EPMD, and MTV. He has a studio/gallery in Los Angeles and he is the founder of Hyperformance Inc. He is also very popular in Japan for his comic books graffiti. Also, he has done work for Nike and New Balance which is why you are able to recognize his name. His most popular shoe is the "Haze" dunk which was available is select stores in 2003. This one shoe alone goes down in the "Shoe Game" history making Eric Haze a true legend.
Espo Stephen Powers aka Espo was born and raised in Philadelphia and moved to New York in 1994. Espo standing for "Exterior Surface Painting Outreach". His first book was the "Art of Getting Over". He also created "On The Go Magazine". His first solo exhibition was at Deitch Projects New York in 2004. Epso is well known in the "Shoe Game" for his signature Nike Air Force II which is called "Espos". They were limited to 1,050 pairs worldwide and this was the first "See-Thru" shoe ever. Although Nike has made the Clot Air Max and the Invisible Air Force 1 the "Espos" will always be the most wanted in the "Shoe Game".
Futura Lenny McGurr aka Futura aka Futura 2000 was born in 1956 and known for his graffiti work during the 1970's and 1980's. Futura now has a wife, two kids, and has retired his paint cans. He now mainly paints with brushes only on canvas or on the computer, and many of his designs are available at Recon in New York. Agnes B and a British record company named Mo’ Wax helped him to translate his designs to fashion, toys, and the internet. Futura has collaborated with Nike, Levi making limited edition jeans for Japan, Toshiba creating wallpaper, North Face’s Japan store clothing line. He also has his own store in Fukuoka, Japan and Bangkok. He has designed many shoes for Nike; the Dunk SB, Blazer, P-Rod, and more. You’ve seen his name for years, so know for a fact that Futura is a true "Shoe Game" legend.
Gabriel Urist You’ve seen the Jordan and other popular model chains that sell for $350+. His sneaker jewelry has everyone in the "Shoe Game" looking for these chains. You can’t just go to any jewelry store and find these. They are only available at select jewelry stores and some sneaker shops. This makes them even harder to find, and his chains are a nice add to the "Shoe Game". Gabriel’s chains are available in silver or gold and you can get a Jordan, Dunk, Bape, or other models. Add something new to your outfit and go get a Gabriel Urist sneaker chain.
Methamphibian Born in 1976, he is probably the most popular customizer and he is based in Los Angeles, California. You can catch some of his authentic stuff on eBay every blue moon, and you can see some of his work in the Sneaker Pimps world tour. Meth is highly respected in the "Shoe Game" by collector’s and even by other popular customizers. He is the reason why customs are so popular and a true role model for most new customizers today. Words can’t describe how talented Meth is, so with that said keep up the great work Meth personally for TheShoeGame.com. He is a true legend in the "Shoe Game" and to the custom community.
Mister Cartoon A Los Angeles native known for his famous tattoos done for many stars like; Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Beyonce, Fat Joe and more. Cartoon was only doing tattoos but he started collecting shoes and he got hooked up with Nike. At first Nike didn’t want to work with him, but they came to an agreement. He ended up designing a total of six shoes for Nike, 3 Air Force 1's and 3 Cortez, and he also worked with Vans. This caught everyone off guard, but the people in the "Shoe Game" responded very well to the Air Force 1's, so with that said there’s no telling what’s next for Mister Cartoon.
Nigo He is the founder of "A Bathing Ape" and his shoe line "Bapesta" has taken the "Shoe Game" to another level. He also helped Pharrell design his Reebok Ice Cream line and his Billionaire Boys Club clothing line. For more info go to Shoeology
Pushead Brain Schroeder is a hardcore punk artist well known in the "Shoe Game" for the Nike Dunk SB "Pushead". Proceeds from the Pushead SB’s were donated to charity, and many people in the "Shoe Game" were highly hyped over this release in late 2005. Brain designed skateboard graphics during the 80's and early 90's characterized by detailed skulls. Brain’s favorite Nike skate shoe is the Air Jordan I red/black 1985-86. He is also famous for his artwork done for The Misfits and Metallica.
SBTG Mark Ong aka Sabotage is a custom designer from Singapore and very popular in the "Shoe Game". He won the Nike Talk competition and this put his name on the map. SBTG collaborated with Tokyo’s Chapter and Atmos and this also helped him to get this name known. His first US shoe release was at Packer Shoes in Teaneck, New Jersey releasing only 24 pairs of the SBTG x Packer Desert Mayhems. SBTG has also started a clothing line called "Royalefam" with Ambush, a Singapore boutique. Many people compare SBTG and Meth when it comes to who’s the better customizer, but in reality who cares? Meth and SBTG are both legends in the "Shoe Game". SBTG keep doing what you do best, and much love from TheShoeGame.com.
Sneaker Pimps Started by a group of sneaker fans in Australia, and has now become a world tour. Sneaker Pimps is the world’s largest touring sneaker street based art show. Featuring over 1000 pairs of rare, limited edition, vintage, celebrity signed, artists collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker artwork, fashion, and photography. Sneaker Pimps let’s the whole world get a taste of a large variety of sneakers making them true legends in the "Shoe Game".
Stash Josh Franklin aka Stash was born in 1967 and he started using the name Stash in 1982. He’s a Brooklyn based graffiti artist and during his teens he would spray a 60ft by 20ft subway car in 20 hours and was never arrested. He is well known and highly respected in the "Shoe Game", and he’s also very popular among other graffiti artists. Stash owns Recon/Nort and you can find them in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Berlin. If you’re reading this and still lost maybe his popular work with Nike might ring a bell. Stash has designed a Nike Air Max 95, Air Force 1, P-Rod, Air Classic BW, Dunk, and more. Ohhhh, so now you remember where you saw the name Stash, and with talent like Stash who knows what’s next. Without any second thoughts Stash is automatically a "Shoe Game" legend, and if he isn’t then who is????
Tinker Hatfield He is Nike’s #1 designer and unlike most of these new designers he’s been around for a longggg time. The Air Jordan 3 everyone’s favorite, and who might be the genius that designed that shoe? If you said Tinker Hatfield then I’m assuming you graduated from Yale with a Masters in Shoeology, because you’re absolutely correct. He also designed other popular Jordan models and designed the world’s first cross training shoe, the "Nike Air Trainer". Does anything else need to be said about him? NO, and we’ll end it like this... You can’t mention "Shoe Game" legends without saying Tinker Hatfield. Thanks soooooo much from TheShoeGame.com!!!!
Celebrities in the Shoe GameBig Boi Antwan Patton aka Big Boi also collects shoes. Big Boi is from the group OutKast, and he's been seen rocking some fresh kicks. Big Boi shops at Prestigious in Atlanta and he wears a size 9, so now you know why those samples disappear so FAST... He's also good friends with Greg Street, so you already know what time it is. Big Boi is definitely doing it big, and if you want him you can find him in da "A".
Big Tigger Darian Morgan aka Big Tigger is heavy in the "Shoe Game" with some kicks you just don’t see everyday. You know him from BET’s Rap City, 106 and Park, and a lot of other stuff.
Biz Markie Marcel Hall aka Biz Markie is a Hip-Hop legend with a large variety of vintage and exclusive sneakers in his collection. I mean he was born in New York "1964", so you know he knows all about the "Shoe Game".
Bobbito Garcia Robert "Bobbito" Garcia aka DJ Cucumberslice is well known by most people in the "Shoe Game" from the ESPN "It’s the Shoes" show. Since he was born in New York "1966", you know he knows all about the "Shoe Game" and he has a very nice collection.
Clark Kent Rodolfo Franklin aka DJ Clark Kent has a sick collection of Nike Air Force 1's and a ton of other exclusives. The question most people want to know is how many pairs does he own, and will he ever have a chance to wear them all??? It’s kinda hard to say, but without a doubt he’s deep in the "Shoe Game".
Cormega Corey McKay aka Cormega is a rapper from New York with a very large selection of sneakers. He has very nice variety, unlike most collectors that only collect Jordans or Air Force 1's. His collection includes different brands with vintage, rare, and exclusive sneakers.
DJ AM Adam Goldstein aka DJ AM has major heat in his collection. Many of you know him because he was dating Nicole Richie, and the rumor is she bought a lot of his kicks. Who knows if that's true and who cares. The point is he has one "jumbo" collection filled with rare goodies. There's no need to list what he's got, because it would take up the whole page. Just know DJ AM is wayyyy deep in the "Shoe Game".
Fat Joe Joe Cartagena aka Fat Joe has to be one of the most popular celebrities in the "Shoe Game". His collection stands out with Player Exclusives, Air Force 1's, Jordans, and more. Fat Joe has stuff that other celebrities can’t even get, now that’s what you call RARE.
Greg Street Gregory Polk aka Greg Street is the man that brought you 6 O’Clock Vol.1, Las Vegas Sole Collector Mixtape, Undefeated Mixtape, and so much more. DJ Greg Street rep’s Atlanta and has the 6 O’Clock spot on Atlanta’s V-103 radio station. You may also recognize his name from the well known Greg Street "Car and Bike" show that travels around the US. Far as the "Shoe Game" goes he threw the Sneakershow.com event in Atlanta, where sneakerheads came from all around to this show. When it comes to his collection, words can’t describe it, and you can see he’s holding up his Undefeated Jordan 4's in the picture. Greg Street is extremely deep in the "Shoe Game", you name it and he’s got it from Adidas to Nike. Let’s end it like this, if it was a sneaker comp for celebrities he would probably win. Keep up the heat work from TheShoeGame.com.
Just Blaze Justin Smith aka Just Blaze the popular music producer is also in the "Shoe Game". Don’t know too much about what his collection looks like, but you can catch him on ESPN’s "It’s the Shoes" dropping knowledge. Just Blaze and Greg Street got much love for the Undefeated Jordan 4's and since it’s only 72 pairs you already know, he knows his kicks.
Lupe Fiasco Wasalu Muhammad Jaco aka Lupe Fiasco may be new to the rap game, but is not new to the "Shoe Game". You’ve heard his skate hit "Kick Push", and he has also signed a deal with Reebok.
Mos Def Dante Terrell Smith aka Mos Def is also said to be a collector, but what is he really sitting on? He’s been known to rock some pretty hot kicks, and it’s just something about those New York collectors, kinda like they were born to collect.
Pharrell Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes is known for rocking Ice Creams and Bapes (of course). Just because he’s seen mostly in Ice Creams and Bapes, don’t think he doesn’t know his shoes.
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