Twenty-five years after its original, limited release, a sneaker legend is returning.
Nike and the Wu-Tang Clan are teaming up to officially release one of the most treasured sneaker collaborations of all time: the Nike x Wu-Tang Clan Dunk.
The Black and Pollen colorway of the modern Dunk Hi mirrors the original, featuring “Killa Beez” color blocking, premium leather and the hip-hop group’s distinctive W logo embroidered on the tongue label and outer heel.
“These Dunks are important to me and the Wu-Tang legacy because of the cultural impact they’ve had since their original release,” says Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. “For many years, the sneaker world was reserved for athletes and some entertainers, and Nike recognizing us in this way is a testament to hip-hop and our contribution to culture.”
Born from the streets of Staten Island, New York, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged in the early 1990s not only as a hip-hop group but as a cultural phenomenon. Their unique blend of gritty lyricism, kung-fu references and innovative production created a powerful sonic tapestry that transcended the genre, reaching far beyond music to influence fashion, film and art.
That influence resonates today, both in the hip-hop and basketball mecca of New York and in communities across the world that continue to draw inspiration from the Wu-Tang Clan and their collaborators.
The Nike Dunk, meanwhile, was born as a basketball shoe, reprised by the skateboarding community and adopted as a versatile streetwear style with widespread influence across contemporary sneaker culture.
The Nike x Wu-Tang Clan Dunk honors the history of the trendsetting hip-hop group and streetwear silhouette, adding a new chapter to their lore that will resonate across genres and generations.
“The shoe has already carved out a legacy as a silhouette people were striving to possess, and now thousands of people will have a chance to own a pair,” RZA says. “These sneakers are a trophy.”
The Nike x Wu-Tang Clan Dunk will be available globally November 9 on SNKRS and at select retail locations.