Kendrick Lamar's 'Watch the Party Die' black Air Forces selling for thousands

Kendrick Lamar fans now have the chance to purchase the black Air Force 1s featured on the cover art of his recent song, unofficially titled "Watch the Party Die." The sneakers, which appeared beaten-up on the track’s cover, were traced back to an eBay listing by a couple from Little Rock, Arkansas, named Billy Lingo and Darla Wilson. Initially sold for $70, the shoes gained significant attention after the song's release earlier this month. According to THV11, Wilson said her phone began "blowing up" with messages about Lamar’s use of the shoes in the cover art.

Lingo admitted to being unfamiliar with the rapper’s work prior to the incident but acknowledged that his children were fans. “I knew who he was. My son had told me about him and my daughter had told me about him, but I really know about him now,” Lingo told reporters.

After the revelation, the couple canceled their original listing and relisted the shoes with a starting auction price of $5,000, along with a "buy it now" option for $75,000. They have also started selling T-shirts featuring the now-iconic image of the sneakers.

The track, released shortly before the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, marked Lamar’s return following a high-profile feud with Drake. While the song doesn't address Drake directly, it takes aim at the music industry, with Lamar calling out “killers,” “scammers,” and “corporate guys,” alongside radio personalities pushing "propaganda for salary."