Original Story (01/21/25): Nike SB is dropping a “Modern Cowboy” Dunk Low in celebration of Black History Month 2025.
While the inspiration behind these Dunks has yet to be officially revealed, the shoes appear to pay homage to the history of our nation’s first cowboys. Though this is rarely depicted in media, historians estimate that around 1 out of every 4 cowboys in the US were Black. The term “cowboy” itself actually originated as a pejorative, as only African American cowboys were called “cowboys” while White cowboys were referred to as “cowhands.” Black-owned brands such as Denim Tears and Dapper Dan have also explored this theme in recent releases.
Western-inspired details are found throughout these upcoming BHM SB Dunk Lows. The area around the heels features intricate embroidery, similar to embroidery typically seen on cowboy boots. The Nike branding on the heel is stylized to look like lasso ropes, and the shoes come equipped with rope-style laces. Cowboy graphics appear on the insoles, as well as on the accompanying yellow handkerchief. Hidden on the inside of the tongues is the message “Certified for the Real Riders, Crafted for the Modern Cowboy.” This message is embroidered in the Pan-African colors — red, black, and green — and is accompanied by a five-pointed star, a common symbol in both cowboy culture and Pan-Africanism (The Black Star of Africa).
The Nike SB Dunk Low BHM “Modern Cowboy” is slated to drop this February at select skate shops and possibly SNKRS. Grab an early look below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for updates.
Update (01/22/25): Kari Daniels (aka @sneakerphetish on X) has highlighted additional inspiration behind the shoe’s design.
The colorway pays homage to Bill Pickett, the first Black athlete inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame and inventor of “bulldogging,” the skill of grabbing cattle by the horns, also known as steer wrestling. The shoe’s color scheme is pulled from a promotional poster for Pickett’s 1921 film, The Bull-Dogger.
Now that I’ve mentioned that, here’s the story for the Black History Month Nike SB. Bill Pickett was one of the first Black Rodeo stars with his “Bulldogging” show. I’m pretty sure the colorway pays homage to this old promotional poster for his 1921 film, “The Bull-Dogger”. pic.twitter.com/7ym2wGKCYF
— Kari (@SneakerPhetish) January 22, 2025
Nike SB Dunk Low BHM “Modern Cowboy”
Color: Tourmaline/Baroque Brown-Monarch
Style Code: HF3058-300
Release Date: February 2025
Price: $135 USD
Photos via Yankee Kicks:
Photos via fallinlovesnkr:
