Although LeBron James doesn’t “throw up the roc'” as frequently now as he might’ve 10 years ago, he’s still within JAY-Z’s exclusive circle. Such an honor has allowed a young “kid from Akron” to pose for magazine covers with the Roc-A-Fella Records-frontman and musical acts, as well as receive a once-Player-Exclusive (P.E.) edition of the Nike LeBron 9 “Watch The Throne,” which is set to release to the public for the first time ever in 2022.
Inspired by and named after the joint-studio album released in 2011 by the aforementioned Brooklyn-born rapper and adidas Yeezy‘s Kanye West, the LeBron 9 “WTT” captured Black excellence, James’ dominance while with the Miami Heat and the blurring of the lines between hip-hop, high fashion and sports. While the basketball shoes predominantly indulged in a pitch-dark color palette, “Metallic Gold” accents all-throughout the upper directly nodded to the “Watch The Throne” album’s opulent cover, which was designed by Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy fame. A heavy, molded lace accessory arrived with the once-ultra-exclusive pair, resembling the ornate cover art faithfully. Multi-color patterns appeared on the inner lining and laces, details borrowing from the nature-reminiscent prints found on much of the hip-hop duo’s wardrobe during the album’s tour. Underfoot, the Air Max-cushioned sole unit kept much more tame, but its gold-speckled midsole and icy, semi-translucent outsole further instilled an air of luxury to the shoes that once fetched upwards of $10,000 USD on the after-market.
Enjoy detailed images of the pair here below, and anticipate a stateside Nike SNKRS launch following an overseas release on January 6th, 2022.
For more from Nike Basketball, check out all things Kyrie 8 (officially known as the “Nike Kyrie Infinity”).
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike LeBron 9 "Watch The Throne"
US 01/06/2022 Thursday
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Stadium Goods | Aftermarket | Aftermarket |
| Nike SNKRS US | Standard | Check Site |
| Bodega | Standard | Check Site |
| Feature | Raffle | Check Site |
| Social Status | Raffle | Check Site |
| A Ma Maniere | Raffle | Check Site |
Europe 01/06/2022 Thursday
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| AFEW | Standard | Check Site |
| BSTN | Standard | Check Site |
| Solebox | Standard | Check Site |
| END. | Raffle | Check Site |
- M 4.5 / W 6
- M 5 / W 6.5
- M 5.5 / W 7
- M 6 / W 7.5
- M 6.5 / W 8
- M 7 / W 8.5
- M 7.5 / W 9
- M 8 / W 9.5
- M 8.5 / W 10
- M 9 / W 10.5
- M 9.5 / W 11
- M 10 / W 11.5
- M 10.5 / W 12
- M 11 / W 12.5
- M 11.5 / W 13
- M 12 / W 13.5
