On June 30th, Nike Sportswear set the sneaker and hip-hop communities ablaze with an Instagram reel that teases the return of an iconic classic: the Nike Dunk High Wu-Tang. This ultra-rare sneaker is deeply rooted in both sneaker culture and the legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential groups.
The teaser hints that Nike is bringing back the Nike Dunk High Wu-Tang, a pair that mirrors the colorblocking of the original Nike Dunk High Iowa. The Iowa colorway was part of the Be True to Your School collection, first introduced in 1985, which featured team colors of various colleges across the United States. In 1998 and 1999, Nike retroed this entire collection, catching the eye of the Wu-Tang Clan, who found the black and yellow Dunk to match their aesthetic perfectly.
Drew Greer, who was the Global Footwear Product Director for Nike Sportswear at the time, spearheaded the creation of an ultra-limited run of Wu-Tang Dunks, featuring the same color scheme as the Dunk High Iowa but with the addition of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan logo on the lateral heel. These sneakers were produced in extremely limited quantities, with rumors initially suggesting that only 36 pairs were made. However, Greer clarified on the Complex Sneakers Podcast that 100 pairs were produced, with 50 pairs allocated to him and the other 50 to Comb Contrel. These pairs were distributed among Wu-Tang Clan members and key figures at Loud Records, the group’s record label.
Since then, the Wu-Tang Dunk Highs have ascended to legendary status in the sneaker world. Collectors consider them a holy grail, with some pairs fetching upwards of $50,000 on the secondary market. Their rarity and the cultural cachet of the Wu-Tang Clan have made these sneakers a coveted piece of hip-hop and sneaker history.
An inverse pair of the upcoming Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High Retro Premium has recently surfaced. This iteration sees the black and yellow colors reversed. It uses different materials, such as perforated leather on the overlays. There is no word on whether this second version will be released at this time.
Fans and collectors will have an opportunity to secure the Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High this year. You can sign up for alerts on the release via this sign-up form from Wu Tang’s Instagram Story. The Wu-Tang Dunk High will retail for $150 and will release sometime this September. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the potential re-release of the Nike Dunk High Wu-Tang.
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