The prominent rapper and fashionista Pusha T aims to bring back one of the more iconic hip-hop fashion statements: the Run-DMC sweatshirts of the 1980s. During an appearance on the podcast “Ghetto Runways,” Pusha T was quite adamant about his continued efforts in trying to get Adidas to remake the legendary sweatshirts. His plea is deeply rooted in great respect for Run-DMC and the desire to keep the original style which once turned out to be a symbol of hip-hop culture.
“I’ve been talking to Adidas for a while now about bringing these sweatshirts back,”
Pusha T said during the podcast.
“These designs are more than just fashion; they represent a pivotal moment in our culture. I want to preserve that core of the original with just a few modern tweaks, as a sign of respect to what Run-DMC created.”
Pusha T’s relationship with Adidas has been one of longevity, as witnessed through a number of successful collaborations. In 2019, the rapper inked a multi-year deal with the company to further solidify his standing within both hip-hop and streetwear circles. His various endeavors with the brand, including limited sneaker releases and apparel collections, have merely strengthened his positioning as an important figure in the company’s continued linkage to hip-hop culture.
The original Run-DMC Adidas partnership is the stuff of fashion history. Since their first collaboration in the mid-1980s, this was one of the very early and significant link-ups between a hip-hop group and a global sportswear brand. The bold, no-laces Adidas sneakers, worn by Run-DMC together with sweatshirts to match, became some kind of uniform for the fans and a vivid reflection of what the group was all about: gritty, street-smart, energetic, and very loud. This collaboration not only raised Adidas’ credibility in the fashion world but also defined what could be called the junction of music and fashion. It opened the door for future artists and brands.
This move by Pusha T sparked conversations about what would happen if Run-DMC sweatshirts ever made a comeback. The sweatshirts will be seen by long-time hip-hop heads as pieces of nostalgia from a time long forgotten, bringing them back in memory to the golden era of hip-hop. An introduction of these sweatshirts may bring that feeling back and give a whole recent generation a taste of the timeless style that defined a movement.
“It would be huge to bring these sweatshirts back-not only for Run-DMC fans but for anybody who really knows anything about the origins of hip-hop fashion,”
Pusha T said.
“It’s about paying respect to the past while still keeping relevant with today’s culture.”
The revival in mention would also further concrete the timelessness of the Run-DMC/Adidas phenomena, a testament to how such marriage between music and fashion is just as potent today as it was almost four decades ago. Whether this actually materializes remains in the sights, but Pusha T has definitely put the topic at the forefront, reminding us of just how iconic fashion can influence culture.
