Drake’s work with Jordan Brand reached a high point in 2017, when the OVO x Air Jordan 12 “Black” was released. Dropped during NBA All-Star Weekend, this elevated rework of the retro silhouette was an expert distillation of the OVO look: simple, sleek, and ready to flex in understated style.
Coming a year after the “White” version, the “Black” colorway was a darker, moodier sequel. Black nubuck and textured, stingray-style overlays adorn the shoe, with a smoky translucent outsole stamped with a golden OVO owl logo on the underside. A hint of gold on the eyelets and the insole branding gives the shoe some luxe accents without sacrificing its stealthy color scheme. It was an impeccably thought-out drop – a pair of kicks for private jets, not hype lines.
Raffled exclusively at OVO stores in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, the OVO x Air Jordan 12 “Black” instantly became a grail piece with the added collector value of knowing you could only have gotten it through Drake’s retail partner. With limited supply and a strong celebrity-driven demand for Drake’s latest Nike collab, resale numbers for the shoe flew through the roof, making it one of the most valuable and coveted OVO x Jordan drops of all time.
Nine years later, the OVO x Air Jordan 12 “Black” still reaps a lot of currency. It stands as one of the quintessential lookbooks of sneaker luxury in the early-2010s, and the perfect package of streetwear, musical influence, and Jordan legacy.
Where To Buy The OVO Jordan 12
If you’re still on the hunt for a pair, they do occasionally pop up on resale platforms like StockX, but be ready to pay collector-level prices.
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Air Jordan 12 OVO “Black”
Color: Black/Metallic Gold
Style Code: 873864-032
Release Date: February 18, 2017
Price: $225
