In 2003, world-renowned Brooklyn hip hop artist Jay Z opened the first 40/40 Club. The club derives its name from one of the greatest achievements in baseball - 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one season, and has been ho🦋st to a variety of influential events, as well as being referenced by various New York art🍌ists in their music. 

In 2004, following the first anniversary of the 40/40 Club, Nike gifted Jay Z and specific friends & family this very special and rare Air Force 1; a silhouette which Jay Z has been deeply intertwined with since 1999, when he first collaborated with Nike on the iconic Air Force 1 Roꦫc-A-ꩵFella.

Consistent in their design, the pair paid homage to the white on white Air Forces which were so ever present throughout hip hop at the time. Dressed in an all white leather upper, the standout detail is the black and silver embroidered ‘40/40’ logo at the heel and the tongue. With these subtle insignias, it elevates an otherwise normal white Air Force 1 to an incredibly rare pai♌r for any collector. 

The Air Force 1, arguably Nike’s most iconic sneaker, is in many regards, the first of its kind. Previously realized in runniꦺng shoes, the introduction of Nike’s ‘Air’ technology in the midsole was a revolutionary concept for basketball sneakers. Tasked with bringing the concept to life, designer Bruce Kilgore and an aerospace engineer brought the project to fruition with a hiking boot inspired, ankle strapped, high﷽ top. Kilgore’s first basketball sneaker, the Air Force 1 was brought to market in 1982.