1994 Was a Big Year for A$AP Rocky

The rapper just dropped the Puma Suede ‘94 collection.

Puma’s suede sneakers have been around for decades, rendered in a rainbow of colors and silhouettes. It’s also woven into the history of New York City street culture too — which is exactly why NYC native A$AP Rocky decided to bring back this special design in 2026. Aptly named A$AP Rocky x PUMA Suede ‘94, it’s the latest addition to his work as creative director of the German brand. Since he took on the role three years ago the rapper has been making a mark, given the creative freedom to dive into the archives and choose the styles that felt special to him. So it’s no surprise that a pair of nostalgic ‘90s low tops were the next to get the Rocky treatment.

Why 1994? Besides being the year this style was introduced, it was also an important moment in history for the rapper, given what was happening in New York City. Culturally speaking, it was hip hop’s golden era with the release of Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.”, a seminal song in the genre. At the same time streetwear was huge and skateboarding was all the rage. Despite being only 6 years old, it made an impact, as did a certain pair of popular sneakers. “I remember when my mom bought me my first pair of suedes,” he said. “Growing up in New York and seeing Walt Clyde Frazier, they were the shoes.” So it was only natural for Rocky to take all of these influences while also adding some personal flair. The result: a low top silhouette with a raw-edge padded tongue, a vintage woven Puma label, custom shoebox, and a retro logo on the quarter panel — the first of its kind.

To celebrate the release of the sneakers, Puma threw a pop-up at Joe’s Ginger in Chinatown and renamed it the Lucky Dragon for the evening. Rocky played host, with a bevy of customization options available for guests in takeout containers, which was an important detail he was hyped to expand on. “Everybody’s dressing up their outfits with their headphones and socks — accessories are a key component. I’m always trying to put cool lace locks [on my sneakers] and I thought it’d be a new touch to such a nostalgic piece,” he said. Throwback it might be but given the crowd outside, it’s definitely fresh and exciting.

The A$AP Rocky x PUMA Suede ‘94 are available now online and at select stores.