Update 15/09/2023: After setting a record as the most expensive sneaker ever sold when the hammer struck at $1.8 Million back in 2021, the ‘Grammy Worn’ Nike Air Yeezy’s have sold at Goldin Auctions overnight for just $180,106. This represents a 90 per cent drop in value from the previous auction that we detailed in the full story below.
Originally, the buyer of the sneaker, RARES, planned to sell shares in the sneakers, as they’re currently doing on their website. It’s unclear if anyone bought shares in the sneakers as they’re no longer listed.
Update 21/06/2023: Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs set a new record as the most expensive sneakers ever sold with a sale price of $2,238,000 USD ($3,359,000 AUD) at Sotheby’s.
Original story: An Air Yeezy 1 prototype worn by Kanye West during his performance at the 2008 Grammy’s has sold for an earth-shattering $1.8m at Sotheby’s auctions overnight. The sale marks the highest publicly recorded price for a sneaker sale ever and is also the first pair of sneakers to sell for over $1 million. The sneakers beat the previous record, held by a pair of game-worn ‘Shattered Backboard’ Jordan 1’s that sold for $615,000.
He was already the coolest man on earth, but it might’ve been Kanye West’s most emotional and memorable performance ever when he jumped on the Grammys stage to perform Hey Mama and Stronger. The performance set a precedent for the rest of the artist’s historical career. Not only because of his unbelievable performance but because of the sneakers he wore on his feet.
Word on the street swirled for well over a year. The rumour was that Kanye had a Nike sneaker coming, but what that meant was a complete mystery. Was it going to be a mere colourway, or had the brands collided to produce something special? It didn’t take long for fans to find out.
On the evening of February 10, 2008, Nike and Kanye debuted the Air Yeezy 1. Promptly sending the sneaker culture into a frenzy with one of the biggest sneaker unveilings in history. In doing so, Kanye set the tone for a sneaker empire that can only be challenged by one, Michael Jordan.
One of the most important moments in sneaker history, the performance positioned Kanye as a titan of the fashion industry.
Kanye’s ‘Grammy-Worn’ Air Yeezy 1’s were bought by sneaker marketplace RARES, which is selling shares in the original shoes.
Kanye 2008 Grammy Wins
- Best Rap Song: Good Life
- Best Rap Album: Graduation
- Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Southside (with Common)
- Best Rap Solo Performance: Stronger
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