After releasing shoes for Cormega, Big Pun, Rick Ross, and the Outlawz, Ewing Athletics has collaborated with historic rap group EPMD for a new 33 Hi.
Before this begins, if you don’t know EPMD (Erick and Parrish Making Dollars), open another window, step away from WearTesters.com (the only time I will tell you that), and go listen to Strictly Business. Or Unfinished Business and Business Never Personal (see a theme?) — classics, every single one.
Now that you are on track, we step to another classic: Ewing Athletics’ 33 Hi. Nothing says late-80’s and early-90’s NYC attitude like a pair of Ewings — big, bulky, and ready for the work, just like the namesake. Paired with pioneers of that era’s New York hip-hop sound — loud, brash, in your face, and daring you to do something different — the EPMD x Ewing 33 Hi collaboration makes perfect sense. The real question is: what took so long?
In order to properly celebrate the 30th anniversary of EPMD’s debut album Strictly Business, Ewing dressed the classic 33 Hi in a perforated black suede/nubuck upper with neon hits that mirror the colors on the album cover. The usual Ewing tongue logo, which bears Patrick Ewing’s signature, has been swapped for an EPMD logo. The shoe is heavily padded around the ankle and tongue to for old school construction at its best.
The EPMD x Ewing 33 Hi ‘Strictly Business 30th Anniversary’ releases in limited numbers on July 28 for $140. Fans will be able to meet Erick Sermon and Parrish at 2 PM ET at Street Gear (245 Fulton Ave) in Hempstead. Fans will be able to meet Erick Sermon and Parrish, hear tunes spun by DJ Trase, and see more special guests. The shoes will also be available online at ewingathletics.com in size 5-16.
If you pick up this celebrator sneaker you may have to rock it with the tongue out, laced loose. The boom box is optional, but at least have “Crossover” on your playlist.
Images courtesy of Ewing Athletics
These are dope. Ewing should’ve done some early 2000s Jordan ish and bundled these with a hoodie and fisherman hat.