Clipse x adidas Samba LT "THORN": A Triumphant Return in Premium Leather
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The Thornton Brothers Mark Their Musical Reunion with Clean Minimalism
After 16 years apart, Virginia Beach's legendary hip-hop duo Clipse has returned not just with their highly anticipated album Let God Sort Em Out, but also with their first-ever collaborative sneaker under the Clipse banner. The Clipse x adidas Samba LT "THORN" represents more than just another celebrity sneaker drop—it's a deeply personal statement piece that connects the brothers' surname (Thornton) to their triumphant musical comeback.
Sneaker Details: Understated Excellence
The Samba LT "THORN" showcases premium craftsmanship through its soft off-white leather upper construction, complemented by tonal gray overlays that add subtle visual depth. The classic serrated white Three Stripes maintain the model's heritage DNA, while bold black "Clipse" branding sits prominently alongside clean adidas logos on the lateral side.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the oversized "THORN" branding stitched in black across the padded long tongue—a direct reference to the Thornton brothers' family name and a nod to their personal legacy. White laces and a matching white midsole and outsole complete the clean, minimalist aesthetic that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The collaboration carries a retail price of $140 and utilizes the style code JR5835. Early access has already begun through letgodsortemout.com for select customers, with a wider release expected to follow soon.
A Legacy Project, Not Just a Shoe
This marks the continuation of Pusha T's long-standing partnership with adidas, which stretches back to 2011, but represents the first official Clipse-branded footwear collaboration. Interestingly, the "THORN" concept was first previewed when Pusha T wore an exclusive pair to Paris Fashion Week in January 2023, though that version never saw a public release.
Rather than relying on flashy aesthetics or nostalgic callbacks, this project channels the group's core values of refinement, intentionality, and storytelling—the same qualities that made their earlier work so compelling.
The Album That Started It All
The sneaker release coincides perfectly with Clipse's musical return via Let God Sort Em Out, their fourth studio album released on July 11, 2025—their first since 2009's "Til the Casket Drops." The project is executive produced entirely by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, marking the first Clipse album without the full Neptunes production team following Williams' split from Chad Hugo.
The album features an impressive roster of guests, including Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, Nas, and John Legend, with the brothers exploring themes of mortality, faith, and family legacy in ways that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant. Critics have praised the project for carrying the duo "far beyond the finite walls" of their street-rap origins, showcasing the "contrasting weights of prayer and pain" that define their artistic evolution.
Rather than simply recreating their past glories, the album finds Pusha T and Malice "draping themselves in their mortality like never before, exposing new traumas, personal shortcomings, and grief" in what represents their most emotionally vulnerable work to date.
Cultural Impact Beyond Hip-Hop
The album rollout has been meticulously crafted, with Clipse music featured in Pharrell's Louis Vuitton fashion shows since 2023, including "Chains & Whips" at the Men's Spring-Summer 2024 show where the brothers also walked the runway. Fashion collaborations have extended beyond the adidas partnership to include pieces from Carhartt, Billionaire Boys Club, and Japanese artist Verdy.
The seamless integration of music, fashion, and personal storytelling exemplifies how Clipse continues to operate at the intersection of street culture and high art—the same space they carved out over two decades ago with classics like Lord Willin' and Hell Hath No Fury.
The Clipse x adidas Samba LT "THORN" is expected to release widely in late summer 2025 via adidas.com, letgodsortemout.com, and select retailers for $140.
