Kendrick Lamar calls for an end to gang wars through fashion

Kendrick Lamar has used his latest stint as fashion designer to call for unity between warring gangs.

The Alright rapper is known for infusing politically charged themes within his music, and for his latest collaboration with top shoe brand Reebok, he has taken that same passion for addressing important issues and infused it into fashion.

For his third sneaker in his capsule collection, Kendrick teamed up with designer Ian Paley to reinvent Reebok's Classic Leather shoe. A split seem runs from toe to heel and separates blue on one sneaker from red on the other, symbolising unity and neutrality between warring gangs as well as referencing the crossroads and hurdles the hip-hop star has experienced throughout his life.

Damion Presson, director of entertainment marketing at Reebok, tells Billboard Kendrick wanted to create a line that wasn't just about looking good, saying, "Kendrick represents an authentic voice within today’s pop culture... He is taking a different approach with his capsule, as he’s building a purposeful product that has a message of unity which transcends the Bloods and the Crips (gangs)... This shoe reflects the sentiment of youth culture globally."

Kendrick kicked off his capsule collection with Reebok last year (15).