Pusha T on His Favorite Shoe of 2017, Big Baller Brand and Taking Tennis Lessons

Parley for the Oceans and Adidas invited their communities of runners, athletes, ocean ambassadors, environmentalists, artists, influencers and media to unite during their first ever Run For The Oceans event. The event's intention was to New York City blue, hoping to spread awareness of ongoing ocean conservation efforts.

One of the guests in attendance, rap legend Pusha T, sat with B/R to talk Adidas and Parley, Big Baller Brand and his love of tennis.

adidas

Bleacher Report: What is your relationship with Adidas and what do you think of Parley?

Pusha T: Adidas is family. Parley Run for the Oceans is another showing of how much they care about the community, the future, the people. Anything that Adidas has going on, everyone knows I'm all-in.

B/R: Your EQT’s came out this past fall—how do you feel the response for those were?

Pusha T: I feel like people really liked ‘em [Laughs]. I feel like that was the risk of the EQT. Of the EQT family, that was the risk, and I think it measured up well.

     

B/R: What’s next with Adidas and Pusha T?

Pusha T: Something else coming [Laughs]. There’s definitely something else coming. I’m here for Parley right now, [but] just know [there's] definitely something nice coming.

B/R: I know there’s a lot of grey tones in this shoe. How involved are you in the creative process for collabs, past and future?

Pusha T: It’s written all over. This is Pusha T. I mean, the stories get better and better each time. From the packaging to everything.

      

B/R: Do you feel like there’s any resemblance between your shoe and your music?

Pusha T: Totally. My whole thing with being partnered with a brand like Adidas and making a shoe, it just had to be synonymous with Pusha T. It had to be synonymous with my brand. Hence some of the detailing on the shoe—it coming in a plastic bag the first time, then a black bag the second time.

I never want to be a part of something and just stamp my name on it. That’s a little corny. And I feel like people see through that.

Image via adidas

B/R: Whats your favorite shoe of the year?

Pusha T: My favorite shoe this year is the Iniki, the Adidas Iniki. The most comfortable shoe, Pharrell [Williams] will kill me [Laughs], there was some great ones, but the Iniki is the one that I’ll pick.

When they came out I was like "Oh, this is my Summer; I know what my summer looks like." I started trying to find looks and everything, immediately.

       

B/R: What are your thoughts on building your own brand, like Lonzo and LaVar (ZO2). Does that identify with you or not?

Pusha T: I think it takes guts, I think the messaging might be a bit wild, a little brash, you know people are going to go crazy, but what it all boils down to [is] kids (Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo) who are great. And because they’re this great, it’s an opportunity for that type of platform or for even these things to be discussed. And regardless of how wild the dad is, let’s not lose focus, these kids are great, and let's just push them forward.

Image via adidas

B/R: Will there ever be a Pusha T tennis shoe and could you talk about your love for tennis?

Pusha T: I don't know if there will be a tennis shoe. I'm taking tennis lessons this year. So, yeah, y'all will see me on the court. I'm definitely going to be on a court this year, this summer.

Listen, man, I'm about to get nice. And I don't like to just learn s--t and be wack. Seriously.