Posts tagged Kendrick Lamar

Even though Kendrick Lamar has made a name for himself he doesn’t forget the road he traveled to get where he is today. Believe it or not it is just 11 miles from Compton, California to the red carpet of the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Earlier this week Lamar made the journey along with a few important guests.

With help from Reebok Classics, the multi-award-winning musician hosted six students from Centennial High School in his hometown, and source of inspiration, Compton. Lamar was the most nominated hip-hop artist at the night’s ceremony, but it was his moments with the students beforehand that really set him apart.

“Seeing them out here reminds me of where you come from,” Lamar says. “They’re full of energy. The same as I was.”

As one of Compton’s most celebrated sons, Lamar often draws creativity from his hometown and doesn’t shy away from using the city as the muse for his lyrics. But it was Lamar’s once-in-a-generation work To Pimp a Butterfly that inspired Compton instead earlier that tonight.

The students’ symbolic journey from Compton to Los Angeles was capped off with several epic surprises. In addition to meeting the iconic rapper, the students were able to express their own creativity for Lamar.

With nothing more than a pair of Lamar’s favorite Classic Leather shoes and a black marker, the students created works of art on the pristine leather and gave the decorated shoes, along with their own words of congratulations, to the rapper before the ceremony.

The simple gesture spoke volumes in light of the glitz and glamour of pop music royalty that gathered in Los Angeles last night. While many were focused on award counts and performance details, Lamar practiced a raw exchange of respect and reverence with the students he inspired.

“Hopefully in the next 10 years, they’ll be even further from where I’m at,” Lamar explains.

Unpretentious and unapologetic, the Classic Leather shoe symbolizes the blank canvas offered to all of us in life. The style, the swagger and the story are what we make of it.

Today, Reebok Classic unveils an inspiring film featuring Top Dawg Entertainment artist, Kendrick Lamar. Placing Reebok’s Ventilator Day Glo at the heart of a style revolution led by Kendrick, the film’s message has one solitary objective… to “Let it Flow.” A kaleidoscope of culture is represented through the streets of LA, as the masses stand up to the stale, expected and typical fashion norms that are currently in society.

For people out there striving for something new, unexpected and yet classic, Reebok presents the Ventilator. In an era when “fitting in” means following someone else’s lead, Reebok encourages you to move in your own direction. Claim your distinction. Be bold.  Inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s definitive and powerful lyricism, Reebok is bringing a collaboration that invites you to do your thing a little differently.

The Reebok Classic “Ventilator Day-Glo” will be available at Finish Line, Urban Outfitters, Jimmy Jazz, Villa, Sheikh’s, Shoe Palace, and Reebok.com for $75 for adults and $65 for kids. #beventilated @reebokclassics

The brand committed to continuously pushing boundaries through partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, Reebok takes the fusion of music and footwear to a whole new level with Kendrick Lamar. Together, Reebok and one of the most prolific artists in music today, will inspire and empower youth to become their best selves through programs designed to provide a positive alternative to the streets. Their shared goal provides the creative foundation for a short film released to announce the partnership.

“Reebok has a history of helping kids in the community realize their potential is limitless. I saw what the brand was doing, and I wanted to be a part of it and make it even stronger. It’s as simple as that. Kids that listen to my music are looking for inspiration. It’s important that I continue that message in anything I represent,” said Lamar.

Reebok and Kendrick Lamar bring their joined vision of celebrating the limitless potential of youth through a short film created to pay homage to kids in Lamar’s hometown of Compton, CA.  The video, “Reebok Presents Kendrick Lamar,” was directed by acclaimed director Anthony Mandler and was shot at locations that hold true meaning in Lamar’s life.  A nod to his roots, the short film features today’s standouts at his alma mater, Centennial High School.  The youth featured in this film are showcased to inspire the new generation to find their voice, and not to be afraid to become their best selves. The short is narrated by Kendrick through a powerful verse called “Kendrick Lamar – I AM” — his own personal ode to Compton.

“Reebok has a long history of working with trail-blazing music artists, but we knew a partnership with a lyricist like Kendrick had to mean something bigger for our brand.  With Kendrick, Reebok truly finds a new voice, and together we look forward to launching ground-breaking projects over the coming months,” said Todd Krinsky, Global Vice President of Reebok Classics and Entertainment.

Kendrick fans will get their first glimpse of the Ventilator OG, debuting January 15th within the short film. As part of the new partnership, Kendrick will be featured in Reebok’s global campaign celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Reebok’s iconic Ventilator shoe, which will debut in March 2015.Kendrick will also create his own limited edition capsule collection for Fall/Winter 2015, which will include signature Ventilator styles inspired by the artist’s life, style, and personality and will be available as of June 2015.

A Reebok fan since he was a kid, Kendrick grew up wearing what he called “TeeBos and Rees” (white tee, Jabo jeans and Reebok Classics).  Today, his Reebok shoes of choice are the Ventilator, and the Classic Nylon. “My style is simple, but with an edge – and it’s as classic as that,” said Lamar.