Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 first released in 2009.
The Air Yeezy 1 was Kanye West’s first official sneaker collaboration with Nike. It combined basketball-inspired proportions, a high-top shape, visible design details and a glow-in-the-dark outsole, creating a distinctive bridge between celebrity footwear and limited-edition streetwear.
Nike released several colorways in 2009, including the “Net,” “Zen Grey” and “Blink” versions. The model generated major attention because it was not simply a performance reissue: it was a highly limited signature sneaker linked to a prominent recording artist.
The Air Yeezy 1 should not be confused with the later adidas Yeezy line. West moved from Nike to adidas, where the partnership produced a much larger family of Yeezy footwear. The 2009 date specifically identifies the first Nike Air Yeezy release, not the beginning of the adidas collaboration.