5 Shocking Facts About Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Shoes That Caused A 413% Resale Spike

The choice of footwear for a Super Bowl Halftime Show is never accidental; it’s a calculated cultural statement. On February 13, 2022, when Kendrick Lamar took the stage for the Super Bowl LVI performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, his entire ensemble was a masterclass in high-fashion streetwear and nostalgic athletic wear. While his custom Martine Rose jacket drew immediate attention, the real sneakerhead shocker was on his feet: a pair of nearly forgotten, mid-90s Nike cross-trainers. As of late 2025, the legacy of that single performance continues to resonate, proving that K-Dot's influence extends far beyond music, capable of turning an underrated retro into a must-have commodity.

Kendrick Lamar’s decision to bypass his own past collaborations and major hype releases in favor of a deep-cut Nike classic instantly created one of the most memorable sneaker moments in Super Bowl history. The specific model, the Nike Air DT Max '96, exploded in demand overnight, confirming the rapper's status as a generational tastemaker whose every move is scrutinized by fans and the fashion industry alike.

Kendrick Lamar: Biography and Super Bowl LVI Performance Profile

• Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
• Born: June 17, 1987 (Age 38, as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Compton, California
• Career Highlights: Pulitzer Prize for Music (2018), 17-time Grammy Award winner, critically acclaimed albums including good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN.
• Super Bowl Performance: Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (February 13, 2022)
• Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
• Co-Performers: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent
• Iconic Outfit: Custom "GLORIA" leather varsity jacket by Martine Rose, Celine flared jeans, and the Nike Air DT Max '96 sneakers.

1. The Forgotten '90s Classic: The Nike Air DT Max '96

The sneakers Kendrick Lamar wore were not a new release, nor were they a special edition collaboration. They were the Nike Air DT Max '96 in a classic white and black colorway. This model is a deep dive into the vault of 1990s athletic footwear, a period known for its bold, maximalist designs. The shoe is instantly recognizable by its jagged, shark-tooth-like midsole and the prominent midfoot strap featuring the Nike Swoosh.

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The Air DT Max '96 was originally the signature shoe of Hall of Fame athlete Deion Sanders, famously known as "Prime Time." Sanders was a dual-sport legend, playing both professional football and baseball, and his footwear line reflected his flashy, unapologetic persona. Lamar's choice was a nod to this golden era of sports culture and the aggressive, confident style of the '90s, perfectly matching the energy of the hip-hop legends sharing the stage.

By selecting this specific retro model, Lamar made a powerful statement. He bypassed more obvious choices, such as his own previous Nike Cortez collaborations or a highly limited Air Jordan, to spotlight an undervalued piece of sneaker history. This move cemented the idea that true style often lies in recognizing and resurrecting the classics, rather than chasing the latest trend. The shoe's chunky, yet dynamic, aesthetic also perfectly complemented the Y2K-inspired bootcut of his Celine denim.

2. The Resale Shockwave: A 413% Surge in Demand

The immediate and measurable impact of Lamar’s footwear choice was staggering. According to the secondary market platform StockX, demand for the Nike Air DT Max '96 exploded by a massive 413% in the hours following the Halftime Show. This single data point highlights the immense cultural and commercial power of a major artist's endorsement, especially on a global stage like the Super Bowl.

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The sudden spike in searches and sales meant that a sneaker that had been quietly available or sitting on shelves was instantly thrust into the spotlight. Fans and collectors rushed to acquire the exact model, pushing its resale value and market visibility to unprecedented levels. This phenomenon is a textbook example of the "Kendrick Effect"—the ability of the artist, also known as K-Dot, to drive massive consumer interest in items he chooses to wear, turning a simple outfit detail into a viral trend. The demand surge proved that the sneaker community was paying just as much attention to the performance as the music critics.

3. The Outfit's Full Cultural Context: Martine Rose and Celine

Lamar's Super Bowl outfit was a carefully curated blend of British high-fashion and West Coast street culture, with the Nike Air DT Max '96 serving as the grounding element. The sneakers provided the necessary athletic-wear foundation for his custom leather varsity jacket, designed by British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose.

The jacket, emblazoned with the word "GLORIA" across the back, was a bespoke piece that referenced the classic, oversized silhouettes of the 1990s. Paired with sleek, dark-wash flared jeans from the luxury house Celine, the entire look was a sophisticated tribute to his Compton roots and the history of hip-hop fashion. The chunky, aggressive design of the Air DT Max '96 perfectly balanced the volume of the jacket and the cut of the jeans, preventing the look from becoming too formal or too retro. It was a calculated fashion risk that paid off, solidifying the rapper’s reputation as a style icon who understands the power of juxtaposition.

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4. A Nod to West Coast Heritage and Hip-Hop Legends

The choice of a throwback Nike model also subtly reinforced the themes of the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show itself, which was a celebration of West Coast hip-hop. The performance brought together legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige, all of whom rose to prominence during the 1990s and early 2000s—the exact era the Air DT Max '96 represents.

By wearing a shoe from that period, Lamar was not just making a fashion statement; he was honoring the cultural lineage of the performance. The aesthetic of the Air DT Max '96—bold, aggressive, and highly visible—aligns perfectly with the "gangsta rap" and "G-Funk" visuals that defined the era of his co-performers. It was a visual cue that connected his generation of artists back to the foundational figures of West Coast rap, all while performing anthems like "Alright" and "m.A.A.d city" in his hometown region.

5. The DT Max '96: An Underrated Tinker Hatfield Design

While many of the most famous Nike sneakers are associated with the Air Jordan line, the Air DT Max '96 holds a special place in design history as a product of the legendary Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield, the mastermind behind countless iconic Nike and Jordan silhouettes, created the DT Max '96 to be a versatile, high-performance cross-trainer.

The shoe's design is a technical marvel of its time, featuring a visible Max Air unit in the heel for cushioning and the distinctive midfoot strap for lockdown. This technical pedigree, combined with its association with a multi-sport superstar like Deion Sanders, makes it a significant piece of Nike's history. By wearing it, Kendrick Lamar elevated the shoe from an underrated retro to a piece of celebrated pop culture, ensuring its place in the modern sneaker conversation for years to come. The enduring appeal of the DT Max '96, now recognized by a new generation thanks to Lamar, confirms the timeless quality of great design.