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2 Chainz has called out Nike for what he believed was an act of the sportswear brand ripping off one of his album designs. In an Instagram post, the rapper called attention to the Swoosh’s latest collaboration with Nathan Bell, an LA-based visual artist.
Together, Nike and Bell released a Valentines Day-themed Zoom Fly SP earlier this month. The sneaker features a pink base with black doodles and scribbles drawn and designed by Bell himself.
View this post on Instagram@2chainz calls out @nike for using the album art of his 2017 "Pretty Girls Like Trap Music" album as inspiration for the recently launched Nike Zoom Fly SP x @nathanbell collaboration. Swipe left to take a look at the sneaker and let us know whether he's preaching or reaching. #hskicks
2 Chainz believed that the sneaker a little too closely resembled the album art of 2017’s Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, which also featured a pink background and doodle-like text on it.
In the caption of the post, which you can check out below, 2 Chainz wrote: “Dear @nike you guys are one of my favorite brands in the whole world. You have the best marketing I have ever seen and support some of the biggest superstars to date. With that being said I’m happy I could influence you guys to make this shoe based off my last album #prettygirlsliketrapmusic!”
View this post on Instagram?Dear @nike you guys are one of my favorite brands in the whole world. You have the best marketing I have ever seen and support some of the biggest superstars to date … I never really understand how much influence I have that’s why I made up the #blacknowstory so I could give people there #roseswhiletheycansmellthem ! With that being said I’m happy I could influence you guys to make this shoe based off my last album #prettygirlsliketrapmusic ! I met a few really good and cool @nike reps in Charlotte this past weekend and looking forward to speaking to someone soon about this ! ✌? Love Always , Negotiating Toni ?
The rapper then went on to say that he had met a lot of “really good and cool Nike reps in Charlotte this past weekend” during the NBA All-Star weekend and that he looked forward to “speaking to someone soon about this.”
Highsnobiety has reached out to both 2 Chainz and Nike for comment. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
