KSI Receives His First Sneaker Collaboration

Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (AKA KSI) is many things. YouTuber, influencer, rapper, boxer, he has seen incredible success throughout his career with countless projects and collaborations - it seems that there is little he can't achieve. Now, he can add being a sneaker collaborator to his resume. 

After posting an Instagram image of a partnership with JD Sports, there seems to have also been a hidden message suggesting a collaboration with the Three Stripes was on the way. A subsequent image was later posted following his sellout tour in which keen viewers were able to see a sneak peek at the upcoming collaboration between the artist and adidas.

April 1st saw an official video announcing the upcoming project, the KSI x adidas Forum Hi. Following the rerelease of the OG Hi 'Bright Blue' in December of 2020, adidas have retroed the Forum and brought it to a new generation. 

Designed by Jacques Chassaing, and originally released in 1984, the adidas Forum was made for basketball. After Chassaing had several conversations with coaches and players in the game, he found that they were all looking for a sneaker that would provide proper support and comfort. From that, the silhouette for the Forum was born.

Featuring a high ankle support, inspired by the wraps that players would have around their ankles to support them while on the court, as well as a shock absorption outsole with full-length EVA Foam in the midsole, the sneaker was designed to provide excellent comfort and a trampoline like feel when jumping. 

Before the Air Jordan 1 was released in 1985, and following the disappointing release of Air Jordan 2 in 1986, Michael Jordan was close to signing over to adidas with the legendary athlete wearing a pair of the 'Bright Blue' Forum Hi's during the Olympic tryouts in 1984.

Rereleased at the end of 2020 into 2021, with the OG colourways followed up with a high-key collaboration with Bad Bunny released on the 4th of April 2021 as well as the luxury Prada collaboration released this year on the 13th of January, adidas have been pushing the Forum in an attempt to give the sneaker the attention it deserves.

For the new collaboration with KSI, the Forum has been given a minimal design with key detailing throughout the upper. Keeping to the original silhouette, the sneaker features a predominantly black upper with red detailing on the Stripes, outsole and adidas logo on the ankle as well as on the subtle detailing reading ‘Underestimated’ on the tongue strap sending the message of defiance.

In addition, a subtle paisley bandana print is found along the overlays on the upper, only seen when a light is shone over it as a nod to his signature black bandana. The sneaker is ultimately designed to represent each facet of the artists' career, as described in the promo video posted on his Instagram page.

Releasing in limited numbers, the KSI x adidas Forums may be what adidas need to get the silhouette to continue on its rise in popularity. While they are in the process of releasing their retro lines, it begs the question of which archive sneaker they may rerelease next. 

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