Jacques Berman Webster II, better known as Travis Scott, celebrates his birthday today. The rapper, known for songs like 'SICKO MODE,' 'MY EYES', and 'goosebumps,' has meant a lot in the world of fashion and sneakers in addition to an extensive repertoire of hits. From his first Nike collaboration in 2018 to the introduction of his own Air Jordan Jumpman Jack model - here's a rundown of Travis Scott and Nike's most successful releases.
Travis Scott
Let's go back to the very beginning. Over a decade ago, Travis Scott introduced his first mixtape, titled Owl Pharaoh. The tape consisted of 14 songs and was released on the iTunes Store. A year later, in 2014, the rapper came out with his debut album Days Before Rodeo, an album that immediately caught on with songs like 'Mamacita,' 'Drugs You Should Try It', and 'Don't Play'.
Despite not currently being available on Apple Music or Spotify, the album is still very much loved by many. A year later, Travis released his album Rodeo which came with features from names like Ye, The Weeknd, Future, and Justin Bieber. Songs like '3500' and 'Antidote' scored high and appeared in the Billboard Top 100.
In May 2017, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Grammy nominee
After the success of Rodeo, Travis' music career took off. The artist was featured on major stages such as Coachella, Openair Frauenfeld and the Dutch festival WOO HAH. His relationship with multimillionaire Kylie Jenner also received a lot of attention. The duo began dating in 2017 after meeting each other at Coachella. Kylie and Travis have two children together, Stormi and Aire.
In 2018, the artist released his biggest project; ASTROWORLD. The album includes features from Frank Ocean, Drake, Kid Kudi, The Weeknd, Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, Gunna, 21 Savage, and more. Production was provided by producers such as Mike Dean, Hit-Boy, Tame Impala, Allen Ritter, and more.
Songs such as 'SICKO MODE,' 'BUTTERFLY EFFECT,' 'YOSEMITE', and 'WAKE UP' ensured great success. The album was certified four times platinum by the RIAA.
Travis won Album of the Year at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards but missed out at the Grammys after Cardi B grabbed the Grammy for Best Rap Album for her debut album Invasion Of Privacy. A decision that many believe was wrong since this album fell short of ASTROWORLD or Swimming, Mac Miller's album that was also nominated.
The roll-out of ASTROWORLD came with the iconic (eponymous) festival that continued Travis' album cover theme. Despite the 2021 fiasco, where multiple deaths occurred during the festival, the album is still considered one of the best hip-hop albums of all time.
Utopia
After the ASTROWORLD project, except for a few smaller projects and features, things remained quiet around Travis for an extended period. The rapper pulled back after the ASTROWORLD incident and focused on his family and his mental health. He introduced the project HEAL that would help relatives and victims of the incident. The first signs of Utopia - Travis' next project - also appeared.
The post-album rollout started in 2020 when Scott announced the title of his next project on social media. In the months (and years) that followed, Scotts' Instagram posts were given cryptic titles like “see you in utopia” and “can't wait,” hinting at the upcoming album. The rapper also posted photos showing his bodyguard with a “Utopia” briefcase.
On July 28, 2023, it was finally here. Travis' fourth studio album Utopia was released on streaming platforms and immediately garnered high praise. The album has features from Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, Westside Gunn, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, James Blake, Metro Boomin, and more. The album is heavily inspired by Kanye West's old works.
Utopia was positively received and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. All 19 songs appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 and Scott was again nominated for a Grammy.
During the Grammys, he performed his song 'FE!N' with Playboi Carti, but it did not seem to work in his favor. Again this year, he missed out and Killer Mike took home the Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Travis Scott x Nike
In addition to Scott's extensive career in music, the artist has also gone a long way in the world of fashion - especially sneakers. The rapper has a recognizable style and has a sneaker collection that is second to none. For example, Scott is one of the few who owns the Nike Dunk Low 'Freddy Krueger'.
Travis' first collaboration with Nike did not come completely out of the blue, then. In 2017, the first images of a blue and pink Jordan Trunner PE appeared. Despite the Cactus Jack branding appearing on the heel, people often do not remember this release as the duo's first collaboration.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Sail'
2018 saw the release of the Travis Scott x Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Sail,' Scott's first collaboration with Nike (and not the Jordan Brand). The sneaker features an understated colorway. Unlike many Air Force 1 colorways, this sneaker has an upper of canvas. A silver Swoosh is placed on the center panel. Silver dubreas on the tongue complete the pair.
Travis Scott x Air Force 1 Low 'Cactus Jack'
Not much later, the Air Force 1 received another Travis makeover. Unlike the previous collaboration, this sneaker used many colors, materials, and patterns. A striking detail about the sneaker is the double tongue. Superimposed over the silhouette are the logos of Cactus Jack, Scott's own record label.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4
In 2018, the Air Jordan 4 'Cactus Jack' was released, a bright blue colorway that used red and black details. The release of the sneaker was celebrated with the Cactus Jack Festival in Houston, the rapper's hometown. The 'Purple Suede' and 'Olive' were both Friends & Family releases and thus also had limited editions.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 33
In 2019, the Air Jordan 33 appeared, a not-too-familiar silhouette from the Nike archives. The sneaker appeared in classic Travis Scott earth tones. The tongue features the Cactus Jack logo. Unlike previous releases (and those that followed), this sneaker is often overlooked.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG 'Cactus Jack'
Perhaps the most iconic sneaker of all time: the Air Jordan 1 in a 'Mocha' colorway and the reversed Swoosh on the center panel. Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine debuted the sneaker during his Super Bowl 52 Halftime show. Soon after, the first images of the sneaker appeared on Travis' Instagram.
The pair was released in May 2019. Shortly after the (successful) release of the Air Jordan 1 High, the colorway also appeared in a Low variant.
Air Jordan 6 'Medium Olive' & 'British Khaki'
The artist got a taste for it and in 2019, the Air Jordan 6 appeared in a 'Medium Olive' colorway. The sneaker made its debut during Travis' Super Bowl LIII appearance in 2019. The one arrived in Scott's signature colors and added outdoor details to the silhouette.
The Air Jordan 6 struck a chord with many and appeared two years later in the colorway 'British Khaki'.
Travis Scott x Nike SB Dunk Low
In 2020, perhaps the duo's most striking collab appeared; the Nike SB Dunk Low. A unique colorway that combines different materials, colors, and motives. From paisley print to plaid - everything passes by on the SB Dunk Low's upper. A perfect chaos, if you ask us.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 270 React
Another Travis Scott and Nike collaboration that may have eluded some is the 2020 Nike Air Max 270 React. Unlike the previous collabs, the sneaker has a more sporty and distinct design. The striking midsole combined with the overlays on the upper makes this a very special sneaker.
Fragment x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 SP 'Military Blue'
After the great success of Scott's first Air Jordan 1 release, he asked for the help of the Japanese streetwear label Fragment for the second collab. The sneaker appeared in a 'Military Blue' colorway with the well-known reversed Swoosh on the center panel.
Shortly after its release, this sneaker also received a Low variant, which used the same colors.
Air Max 1 'Wheat', 'Saturn Gold' & 'Baroque Brown'
In 2022, the iconic Air Max 1 silhouette was finally used in a collaboration with Travis Scott. The sneaker appeared in three colorways: 'Wheat,' 'Saturn Gold', and 'Baroque Brown'. Notable features of these releases were the Air units, which are not see-through like the standard Air Max 1, and the unique lacing system.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Trainer 1 'Ashen Slate' & 'Grey Haze'
After the Nike Air Max 1, the Air Trainer 1 also appeared, also designed by Tinker Hatfield, in collaboration with Travis Scott. The sneaker had been delayed for some time due to the incident during the ASTROWORLD festival but finally appeared on shelves in 2022. Unlike Travis' previous collabs, the Air Trainer 1 had a more outdoor and workwear look.
Air Jordan 1 Low
The years 2022 and 2023 were dominated by the Air Jordan 1 Low releases. Colorways like the 'Reverse Mocha,' 'Black Phantom,' 'Olive', and 'Neutral Olive' were released back-to-back and often shared the same earth tones and the reversed Swoosh.
Travis Scott x Nike Mac Attack
A collaboration hardly anyone expected: Travis Scott and John McEnroe. In 2023, the Nike Mac Attack returned, a sneaker designed specifically for tennis player McEnroe. In the campaign, it seemed as if Scott and McEnroe were arch-rivals of each other.
McEnroe lashed out at Scott several times, just as too tennis player did to his opponents during his tennis career.
Signature sneaker: Air Jordan Jumpman Jack
In 2024, the artist appeared with his own sneaker: the Air Jordan Jumpman Jack. Having used virtually every model in his collaborations with Nike, Travis Scott first appeared in 2023 in an unknown Nike silhouette. Soon, rumors swirled that Travis had designed his own sneaker, which would be inspired by previous Nike releases.
During the 2024 Grammys, where Travis performed alongside Playboi Carti, the Travis Scott x Air Jordan Jumpman Jack in the colorway 'Sail' was released via his own site.
Today, April 30, 2024, the sneaker will be released at Nike and various retailers. Also, the next coloways of Travis' own Nike silhouette have already appeared. It looks like the Air Jordan Jumpman Jack will be Nike's next flagship and we are fans!
Keep an eye on the Sneakerjagers news page for more updates surrounding these releases. We wish Travis Scott a very happy birthday!