NIKE, NIKE AIR FORCE 1, SIZE 12

Rubber, Leather, Cotton

2004

Joseph Cartagena, also known as Fat Joe, is a 5 time Grammy-nominated recording artist, hailing from the South Bronx of New York. As the CEO of Terror Squad, in partnership with Atlantic Records, Fat Joe’s impact on Hip Hop began in 1990.

An avid sneaker collector, Fat Joe is also arguably one of the most influential figures in sneaker culture. With a collection rumored to be in the thousands, and numerous ‘Terror Squad’ & Nike collaborations under his belt, Fat Joe’s impact, bringing the gap between hip hop and sneakers, is immense.

A key moment came in 2004, on an episode of ‘MTV Cribs’, when Fat Joe, touring his sneaker room, picked up a pair of ‘Air Jordan VII Olympic’ sneakers and licked the outsole of the sneaker. A representation that the sneakers have never been worn, the infamous move sparked a trend that continues nearly 20 years later.

Seen here is a pink and white rendition of the Nike Air Force 1 Terror Squad. The colorway, famously worn by Fat Joe in Terror Squad’s ‘Lean Back’ video, features a predominantly pink leather upper. The pair is complemented by a white Swoosh and midsole, a pink outsole, and white TS branding at the heel. The white interior lining is accompanied by an embroidered pink ‘Don Cartagena’, a moniker given to Terror Squad founder, Fat Joe.