After a year-long hiatus, Summer Jam is almost here! The hottest hip hop event of the Summer returns with a bang with an all star line-up, and one of the biggest events to end the warm weather months.
Some artists not only use Summer Jam to show off their new music and create moments in hip hop that last forever, but they also wear their best exclusive drip to the show!
HOT 97 and WOODstack look back to reveal the top 7 hottest kicks worn in Summer Jam history! Need an outfit for the BIG show? Visit WOODstack.com.
Check out the top 7 below!
7. Kendrick Lamar – Nike Air 2 Strong Hi Grey/Orange-Purple (2013)
It was the 20th anniversary of Summer Jam & the next generation of hip hop was on the stage!
As the rain fell from the sky, a young Kendrick Lamar brought the energy one notch higher as he joined A$AP Rocky & 2 Chainz to perform their hit single “F***in’ Problems.” The wet weather didn’t deter him from wearing the Nike Air Max 2 Strong High w/ the Grey/Orange & Purple color way that night!
6. Cardi B – Gold Crystal Reeboks (2019)
Cardi B had a surprise in store when she performed in 2019.
Decked out in all yellow including her Gold Crystal Reeboks she gave the stadium a taste of country as she brought out Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus for a moment to remember!
Other guests that night include City Girls and her husband Offset!
5. Chris Brown – BAPE “Bapesta” Triple White (2017)
Chris Brown kept it classic yet stylish as he danced around the Summer Jam stage in 2017.
He decided to rock the triple white BAPE “Bapesta” kicks inspired by the classic Nike Air Force 1’s to match his all white outfit. His performance that year was memorable as he brought out guests such as Playboi Carti, and DMX who performed for the last time at Summer Jam that night.
4. Drake – Air Jordan 4 “Oregon” Black/Chrome (2014)
In one of the most classic performance in Summer Jam history, Nicki Minaj had the crowd going insane when she brought out her then Young Money brothers Drake and Lil’ Wayne during her set!
Donning a white & black striped shirt, black pants and the Black and Chrome “Oregon” Air Jordan 4’s, Drizzy came out to a roar from the crowd as he performed a couple of his biggest hits. The trio showed off their love and admiration for one another, the image of Drake picking Nicki Minaj up during the performance is something people are still discussing until this day as the video of this historic performance was seen over 30 million times!
3. Nas – Jordan IV Cavs (2012)
Two years before Nicki Minaj finally graced the Summer Jam stage, she had decided not to perform over some comments made on the Festival Stage. As the HOT 97 family scrambled to find a replacement, Nas was there to save the day!
Staying Summer Fresh with a tank top and his Jordan 4 Cavs, he and Lauryn Hill gave fans a once in a lifetime performance that night that included hits such as “If I Ruled The World,” and Hill’s classic “Lost Ones.”
2. Kanye West – Ato Matsumoto & Swizz Beatz – Air Force 1’s (2007)
Years before there was Verzuz, Kanye West & Swizz Beatz faced off against each other in a battle of the beats live on the Summer Jam stage in 2007.
It’s still being talked about today as one of hip hop’s greatest moments in the past 20 years as the two went blow for blow with the hottest tracks they ever produced.
The debate still continues today on not only who had the best tracks that night, but if Kanye West’s Ato Matsumoto high-tops or Swizz Beatz’s white & black Air Force 1’s were the kicks of the night!
1. Jay-Z – Nike RT1 (2009)
Last time Hova came out on the Summer Jam stage he created history!
Dressed in all black including his Nike RT1 kicks which caught plenty of eyes, that night is best known for his performance of “Death of Autotune” as T-Pain walked up to the stage beside him. The Brooklyn legend spit bars, as the “Rappa Ternt Sanga” nodded his head awkwardly. This ended up being one of the most defining moments of his career.
What were some of the best kicks you’ve seen at Summer Jam? Make sure you purchase your Summer Jam drip at WOODstack locations across New York and New Jersey!
Summer Jam 2021 goes down August 22, 2021 at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey! For Tickets visit Ticketmaster.com!