Austin has long been the heartbeat of live music, a city where its music roots run deep and creativity never sleeps. Earlier this month, adidas Originals and Kicking It hosted Austin’s first “sneaker social” to join forces to celebrate that rhythm with the release of the “Live Music” Gazelle, a sneaker that fuses culture, community, and color into one bold statement of pride.
Crafted in five shades of blue, the design pays homage to the city’s blues heritage while embracing its famous “Keep Austin Weird” saying. “Each color means something,” said Naja Dorsey, Creative Director at Kicking It. “I wanted the shoe to look a little weird, too. Because until you put the shoe on and style it for yourself, you’d think it’s tough to pull off, but that’s the point. It’s about being yourself and being different.”
Every detail nods to Austin’s soul, from the red tongue and yellow Three Stripes inspired by Antone’s nightclub, to a 512 lace charm marking one of Austin’s original area codes. “We wanted to be intentional,” Dorsey added. “When someone puts the shoe on, they should feel like they’re part of the city’s story that mix of creativity, grit, and individuality.”
How Kicking It supports Austin’s HBCU
However, the sneaker’s legacy extends beyond its design. A portion of the proceeds will fund scholarships for Huston–Tillotson University, Austin’s only HBCU, supporting its jazz band and future music programming. For Dorsey, that connection is deeply personal. “If it wasn’t for Huston–Tillotson, I probably wouldn’t be here,” he said. “My mom went there, my family has roots there. So for me, this project was about giving back to the school that helped shape our story.”
Through the collaboration, Kicking It also continues its NIL partnerships with HBCU athletes, an effort Dorsey says is about representation and access. “We’re the only sneaker store in Texas doing NIL deals with HBCU athletes,” he explained. “We know how it feels to be looked over, and we want these students to know their voices matter. Hopefully, this inspires the next generation to show them this isn’t their ceiling.”
That commitment to community runs through everything Kicking It does, from sneaker drives to school programs to live music showcases.
“We’ve built a family here,” Dorsey said. “A lot of people came to Austin for school, met their wives here, and raised their kids here. We’ve grown with them, and they trust us because we show up for them the same way they show up for us.”
Why Naja Dorsey says its not just about the shoes
For Dorsey, the sneaker is more than footwear; it’s a message to every kid who walks into Kicking It’s Austin store. “I want them to see that this came from someone who looks like them, from their city, who believed in where they’re from,” he said. “We’re showing them that being different, being creative, being proud, that’s what gets you noticed. That’s what builds legacy.”
The “Live Music” Gazelle launch embodied that spirit with a full-day celebration, featuring in-store activations that included hat customizations, grill moldings, and live styling sessions, followed by a community concert at Antone’s, headlined by J. Soulja and The Keezy Experience.