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Kanye West Explains Why The Yeezy Foam Runner Is The Future Of Sneakers

Kanye West and Joe Rogan linked up on Friday for a long three-hour conversation that covers a whole plethora of topics. Throughout the conversation, Kanye began by talking about his Presidential bid and why he felt like it was so necessary for him to run for President of the United States. From there, West spoke about his artistry and what he has been able to accomplish in both music and fashion. Of course, this led to a lengthy discussion about West’s sneaker design and some of the backlash that surrounds them.

Kanye was at his most excited while talking about the Yeezy Foam Runner which became infamous on the internet thanks to its peculiar croc-like design. At the 1 hour-22 minute mark in the interview clip below, Kanye speaks on the design for the Foam Runner and how it was fully realized by another talented designer, who was recently brought into the Yeezy brand.

“I designed this thing, we call it the Foam Runner, and we built a factory for it in Cody and you can make these in 25 minutes. And what I’m saying about design, I was talking to one of the awesome designers we just got over at Yeezy. We’ve got this amazing crew. We’ve got guys that Nike sued us for, and one of these guys, I was trying to hire him for two years, he had to go surf for a year, and now he’s in,” Kanye divulged. “When he does his cad drawings, it’s like one shot one kill. Sometimes you design stuff and you have to re-do it five to eight times. His first one is so close to being ready for market because he sketches in a certain type of way.

“I’ve been saying I want to get rid of laces and we still have shoes we sell with laces because it’s a popular shoe and people love this shoe. And it hurts me. I feel like Steve Jobs trying to remove buttons off the side of the next [iPhone,]” West continued before explaining what makes the Foam Runner unique. “If you guys look at most sneakers, you have a tongue and it goes this direction. This is the reason [the Foam Runner] is one of the most important sneaker designs because it’s ergonomic. I remember putting it on and being uncomfortable because I’m so used to how a Jordan fits with my jeans. I remember talking to Kobe about making sneakers that have to fit with jeans.

Kanye West

Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company

West went on to note that this shoe was a gut-feeling for him and that he truly feels like the sneaker can revolutionize the way we look at shoes in the future. Kanye has always been one for innovation, and it’s easy to see just how important it is for him to continue pushing boundaries with the Yeezy brand. After all, it’s this philosophy that has made him into a billionaire.

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Artist Spotlight

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 makes a stand for afrobeat against corruption on latest release Na Dem feat. Tom Morello.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 deliver a powerful afrobeat statement with “Na Dem,” Featuring Tom Morello and produced by Femi Koleoso. The track has been a fan favourite even before its official release, and comes with the unmistakable spirit of protest, truth-telling, and social accountability that have long characterized Afrobeat’s most impactful moments.

The song’s heart is a direct challenge to corruption and the abuse of power. Instead of singling out one profession or institution for its critique, “Na Dem” identifies a larger culture of dishonesty, targeting bad lawyers, bad doctors, bad politicians, and anyone who would sell their integrity for personal gain. The message is sharp and uncompromising and delivered with the urgency that has become a hallmark of Seun Kuti’s artistry.

The inclusion of Tom Morello adds another level of intensity to the record. His presence adds to the song’s rebellious energy, creating a powerful intersection between the rhythmic activism of Afrobeat and the confrontational edge of rock. The result of the collaboration is a track that is both timeless and of the moment.

The song’s dedication to principle is what rings true. The moral center of the record is Seun’s statement that he would never prostitute his conscience for money. It turns “Na Dem” from a critique into a declaration of personal values, responsibility, and resistance.

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Deaf Radio returning to a place that feels familiar but has changed on “No Place Like Home”

Deaf Radio offers a deeply affecting experience with “No Place Like Home,” a haunting meditation on grief, memory, and the enduring connection between family and place. Rather than a story of loss, the song invites listeners into the emotional experience of returning to a place that feels familiar but has changed.

It’s an open letter to the people, the moments that used to make home. It captures the unsettling experience of walking into a house where everything is still there, the clothes, the scents, the light streaming through the windows, but the person who gave those details meaning is gone. There is only a lingering ache that fills every room.

It’s a complex emotional journey that runs just under eight minutes in “No Place Like Home.” Its structure does not allow for repetition, each section uncovering another layer of feeling. The song begins with a hushed looping arpeggio and the striking line “your tough mother’s love”, immediately setting a deeply personal tone. From there, it spills out into spare, humane verses before exploding into ninety seconds of crushing guitars and feedback that feel like grief breaking through emotional constraint.

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