The Nike Air Max has made countless cameos in the music world. From explicit shout-outs in the lyrics to lightning-quick appearances in film clips, here are some of the world famous and more obscure nods to the Air Max in music.

Nike’s ‘Month of Max’ events are still happening at the Air Max Lab in Surry Hills, Sydney – register here – they’re all free!

PRHYME – UNDERGROUND KINGS FT. SCHOOLBOY Q & KILLER MIKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQuRsu92nSc

PRhyme – better known as the duo comprising of legends Royce Da 5’9″ and DJ Premier – connect with ScHoolBoy Q and Killer Mike for a star-studded affair on ‘Underground Kings’. It’s no surprise that Royce’s opening verse features some Air Max appreciation – after all, his longtime affiliate and fellow Detroit rapper Eminem dropped his own version of the Air Max Burst, resulting in the ‘Air Slim Shady’. In ‘Underground Kings’, Royce states “I don’t rock flannel, I rock the Air Max, Atmos and camo.” Atmos dropped the classic ‘Elephant Print’ Air Max 1s back in 2007, while the boutique’s more recent Nike collaborations feature duck and tiger camo.

CARNAGE & SECTION BOYZ – BIMMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw38q7oA4RA

With the borders between America and the UK shifting closer than ever before, it seemed like only a matter of time before a collaboration of this calibre happened. LWA photographer Jack Bennett has just jumped off an American tour with DJ Carnage, who just happened to drop this belter featuring UK clique Section Boyz. You might have seen recent footage of Section Boyz bringing out Drake for some Jordan Brand appreciation in a surprise performance of ‘Jumpman’, but the fresh video for ‘Bimma’ features some sneaky shots of Air Max 95s and Swift wearing the classic Air Max BW in Persian – one of the models to be receive the retro treatment this year, including a luxe edition with snakeskin and suede.

GUCCI MANE – BRICKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIS8twlzuMw

Gucci Mane was just one artist spearheading the Southern dominance of hip-hop throughout the 2000s, and ‘Bricks’ exemplifies everything we love about Guwop. The video not only features staple 2000s fashion items including oversized chains and tall tees with the fitted to match, but also an emerging Nicki Minaj making a notable and extensive cameo. Gucci Mane mentions the Air Max 95 in his opening verse, and while this isn’t the shoe’s most famous co-sign in rap – that comes later in this list – the 95 line became one of our favourites from ‘Bricks’.

DIZZEE RASCAL – BUBBLES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmyNveGv8Iw

When Tinker Hatfield unveiled the Air Max 1 back in 1987, one of the most striking features was the visible air bubble on the sole. Grime legend Dizzee Rascal pays homage to the groundbreaking aesthetic and technology with a song titled ‘Bubbles’, talking about his “Nike Air Bubbles and they cost 110.” The term ‘110’ was also used as UK slang for the Air Max 95, referencing the higher price tag. Of course, Dizzee Rascal would also later release his own Air Max 90, with the ‘Tongue N Cheek’ edition becoming one of the sneaker’s most coveted colourways.

SKY’HIGH – HOODIE & NIKES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESTDpWK5pyo

Sydney’s very own Elefant Traks emcee Sky’High has forever name-checked Nike in her songs, but her biggest homage to the swoosh also happens to be her most popular track. ‘Hoodie & Nikes’ are a classic combination, no matter which way you look at it – and this single used the street uniform as a starting point for some more in-depth reflection. The video also features footage of Sky’High lacing up the Air Max ST model.

THE GAME – HATE IT OR LOVE IT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuMBmK5uksg

It’s no surprise that The Game’s favourite shoes include the Jordan 1 and Jordan 4 in the favoured ‘Bred’ colourway – after all, they match the majority of his wardrobe and discography – but he’s stated that his all-time pick is the Air Max 95. The Game dropped one of the most quotable sneaker references of all time in his 2004 single ‘Hate It Or Love It’, where he famously stated “I’ll kill you if you try me for my Air Max 95s.” He’s further gone on to name check the 95 on ‘Red Nation’ and other tracks, so it seems like the sneaker will forever be affiliated with the modern West Coast legend.

SKEPTA – SHUTDOWN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQOG5BkY2Bc

‘Shutdown’ was the track largely responsible for thrusting UK grime into the mainstream last year, and Skepta’s love for Air Max has been well documented. He performed at an Air Max 95 anniversary party last year, while he’s also spoken about the sneaker line’s importance in the grime scene alongside emerging talent Novelist. In ‘Shutdown’, Skepta’s whole crew is draped in the swoosh from head to toe – and at the 1:00 minute mark, there’s a shot of some Air Max 97s, sandwiched between Air Max TNs in triple white and a bold university blue. Blink and you’ll miss it! Skepta’s love for the sneaker is set to continue, with his own blacked-out rendition of the BW dropping this year. We expect that the hype will be huge.

HAZRD – #REPONSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB_5pjfMMms

Sydney grime emcee Hazrd dropped ‘#Response’ over two years ago, but the track received a huge resurrection when it was posted by Link Up TV on Facebook last month – snatching over 1 million views and thrusting the video into unprecedented spotlight. Teamed with a white Nike dri-fit cap – a Western Sydney essential – Hazrd gives props to the Air Max line lyrically, while his newest track ‘1MilFlow‘ also states his preference for Air Force Ones and Air Max while “dressed in black, dressed in camo.” With Hazrd keeping busy in the studio as we speak, expect more material in 2016.

LILY ALLEN – SMILE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI

Lily Allen was one of the biggest British musicians to be consistently wearing Air Max – the 90 was her silhouette of choice – and although her fits weren’t always sportswear-centric, she mixed different styles and subcultures for nonchalant, laid-back looks that still turned heads. ‘Smile’ was a strong example, with Allen wearing a more formal overcoat with 90s on deck. Complex said it best when they state that Allen’s “low maintenance hair, dresses and Air Max 90s reflected the mix of urban and indie influences in her music, with Allen’s girly but outspoken and keep-it-real disposition inspiring a new generation of girls to feel that they could be tough and pretty without contradiction.”

JACKIE ONASSIS – NSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCwx8NoGKrs

Sydney rap duo Jackie Onassis released their debut album Pristine Alley earlier this year, but they preceded the release with a delectable freebie in the Sushi mixtape from late 2015. Lead single ‘NSY’ featured a DIY video filmed around Redfern and the crew’s Inner-West home turf. There’s plenty of close-ups and detailing in this one, including a pair of Nike Air Max 87s in the coveted varsity blue colourway – still deadstock in the box – and the ever popular triple white Air Max TN being cleaned in slow-motion.

Head image by Patrick Caamaño Robles via Sweet Soles