Drake’s Air Jordan 12 “OVO” In Detail

Drake unquestionably is heir apparent to the Nike entertainer-as-sneaker-maven slot vacated by Kanye West. The Toronto native, October’s Very Own, almost immediately filled the vacuum created by Yeezy’s late 2013 split from the Swoosh, so swiftly and seamlessly that the vacuum hadn’t even fully formed. It felt more like an orchestrated transfer of power, a peaceful passing of one regime into another.

But the leaving and joining was never the story; it’s always been about the sneakers. While Kanye’s adidas Yeezy 750 Boost and Boost 350 have already met and perhaps exceeded his punchiest Air Yeezy success with Nike, Drake’s Jordan Brand output has been quiet and methodical. Save for a scarce Air Jordan 10 OVO release in Los Angeles this spring, the great majority of fans have had to rely on photos from Drake’s Instagram and the mysteriously connected to satiate their OVO jones. Once in a great while an actual pair will become available, like this sample size 12.5 Air Jordan 12 OVO – part of a batch made for Drake’s circle of trust that includes former Raptors forward Amir Johnson – that’s available now at Flight Club New York and on eBay.

Decorated in plush nubuck and stingray print leather – an OVO design staple – this 12 rounds out its simple intoxicating mix with smoked translucent soles and the OVO owl logo peering out from his perch on the insoles.

While Air Jordan 10 OVO is due to re-release later this year, Jordan Brand has been mum on a potential Air Jordan 12 OVO release and where exactly they’re taking OVO (although that status appears to be changing already).

Take a closer look below, and view the complete OVO photo set at Sneaker News.