by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 28, 2021

A Pair of Kanye West Yeezy Sneakers Break World Record With $1.8 Million in Private Sale

Kanye West wasn’t lying when he rapped that his Yeezy “jumped over the Jumpman.” The rap/fashion mogul just made history after receiving the highest publicly recorded price for a sneaker sale.

A pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1’s that the billionaire rapper wore during his performance at the 2008 Grammys sold for $1.8 million at a private auction, NBC News reports. The “Grammy Worn” sneakers broke the record for the highest paying price for a pair of kicks and the first pair to go for over $1 million.

The history-making Yeezys were prototypes from a line West developed with Mark Smith for Nike. They were purchased by investment marketplace RARES and brokered by Sotheby’s.

“We are thrilled with the result, which has nearly tripled the highest price on record,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectables, said in a statement. “The sale speaks volumes of Kanye’s legacy as one of the most influential clothing and sneaker designers of our time, and of the Yeezy franchise he has built which has become an industry titan.”

The sale skyrocketed the $560,000 that Sotheby’s received in May 2020 for a pair of 1985 Air Jordan 1’s that were designed for and worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan. As for the prototype Yeezys, Kanye wore them while performing “Hey Mama” and “Stronger” at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Sneakerheads were awestruck by the kicks that went on to become leaders in the footwear industry.

West ended his partnership with Nike in 2013 and went on to secure his ongoing partnership with Adidas. Forbes listed West’s net worth at $1.8 billion thanks in large part to his Yeezy brand. Their claims came after Bloomberg listed Kanye’s net worth at $6.6 billion.


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