Not only has Mr. West been parading around fashion week with his new bald girlfriend Amber Rose, he’s also traded in his Louis Vuittons for some ambiguous NB998s. We’re guessing someone from New Balance figured it was a good idea to send Kanye some sneakers and pray that he’d get his photo taken with them on. Misson accomplished. Check close-up shots of ‘Ye’s New B’s below.

Kanye West New Balance 998s

Kanye West New Balance 998s

New BFFs-4EVA Kid Cudi and Kanye West hit BET’s 106 & Park yesterday to debut Cudi’s new “Day N’ Night” video. As seen from the screen grab, Kanye must’ve gifted Cudi with his Louis Vuitton Don sneakers as a welcome home present from the hospital after the whole Reebok x Police Taser incident. Check the video and the two exchanging freestyles after the jump.

Only 75 pairs? Maybe to the public, but you know all the big shots are laced up. Not every hip-hop heavyweight is going to take these out of the box, but don’t be surprised if Weezy pops up in a pair in the next week or so. Via UNDFTD, BBC.

Good morning. Via UES.

In Part 2 of our exclusive interview with Bronx-bred MC Mickey Factz, the rapper on the come up talks about the music he grew up on as well battling people in high school. He also breaks down the outfit he’s wearing from head-to-toe, which is capped off by what else? Supra Skytops.

Previously: Mickey Factz Episode 1.

‘Lil Penny at Santos’ Party House, via Va$htie

Nike Basketball is going hard in ‘09, re-releasing the Eggplant Foamposites, and soon a series of Penny Hardaway re-issues and hybrids to get hoops fans fired up. While everyone is nostalgic for Penny, do they really want to shell out over $100 for the kicks? That’s for the Nike marketing machine to help you figure out. First we saw them seeding these Nike 1/2 Cent (Penny)s, and now a series of ‘Lil Penny sightings has hit the net. Don’t remember the little guy? ‘Lil Penny was Anfernee Hardaway’s alter ego (voiced by Chris Rock) who appeared in several commercials, game intros, and even rap videos in the mid to late ’90s.

‘Lil Penny has been seen courtside at the Knicks vs. Boston showdown, partying his ass off at Santos’, and setting up some Bespoke Air Force 1s at 21 Mercer Street in New York. Is this enough to get you to buy the 1/2 Cents (coming in the next couple of weeks), the Penny II LE’s (third from bottom, coming soon), or the Penny IIIs (out now)? Up to you. Hit the jump to see ‘Lil Penny the mack’s great moments from this past weekend, and some of the videos that made him famous in the ’90s.

‘Lil Penny at 21 Mercer NY [Nike Sportswear]

‘Lil Penny and Q-Tip partying at Santos’ Party House [Va$htie]

Macking at the Knicks game, courtside [Media Outrage]

‘Lil Penny and Spike Lee talk business courtside (1996)

Hoop Dreamin’ in the pool

Intro to the 1996 NBA Playoffs

Sole BLVD will be teaming up with a variety of tastemakers and industry veterans over the next few weeks to give their thoughts on the game, and what’s really good. Hopefully they’ll throw a few linesheets and some free shit our way! First up is a little one man chat from Ryan Babenzien, the Director of Entertainment Marketing at Puma North America. When you see a famous person rocking Clydes, or get invited to one of those Puma dance parties, its probably because of him. Anyway, here’s his take on life as of this morning:

“I should probably take this opportunity to let you know who I am. I run all the Entertainment Marketing at Puma. And my brother, who’s also supposed to be contributing to the fine site that is SOLEblvd, is the Creative Director of Supreme. We run in the same game, although at very different ends of the spectrum.”

Hit the jump to read some thoughts on why you might want to switch your Dunks out for a pair of Puma Baskets, and why ripping on the kids is passe.

We’re calling it. Kanye West is obsessed with the Air Jordan Aqua 8s as much as he’s obsessed with auto-tune. Today photos surfaced of Mr. West walking into his car after a workout session with Jonah Hill and for the 14857 time, he’s rocking a crisp pair of the Aqua 8s.

Whether he’s in street clothes, performing, playing ball or in weightlifting mode, the mullet-man seems to prefer this specific Jordan over anything else. Dare we say, even the Yeezys? Walk with us through a brief photo history of Kanye stomping around the aquas.

UPDATE: Kicks On Fire also has a in-depth look at Kanye’s favorite Jordans. Click here.

Undated photo when Kanye was still rocking baggy jeans.

Kanye with Hov and Beyonce Courtside At The Knicks Game in early 2008

Kanye in concert in 2008

Kanye Airport Sighting in L.A

Kanye Playing Ball In Late 2008

Kanye doing press in NYC for 808s and Heartbreak

Kanye Leaving The Gym, Days Ago In 2009

Rick Ross is having a tough Friday. Not only did Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson unleash a verbal assault on the hefty cop-turned-rapper, but we’ve exclusively heard that Pony has cancelled his first signature shoe.

The sneaker was supposed to drop in three different colorways, but Pony has halted production due to Ross’s shady past, as a Correctional Officer. Sources close to the brand say that they want to steer clear of the whole cop controversy, and didn’t want to have to face the whole usual “eff the pigs” type backlash . To see (cough, cough) arresting photos of the three sneakers that were supposed to drop, hit the jump.

Last week, a Nike pack hit the web, showing off three sneakers that were inspired by White Men Can’t Jump, Hoosiers, and Teenwolf (all are regular Nikes, not SBs as some sites reported). These movies were all classics in their time, and the shout outs are well deserved. All three shoes dropped on the 22nd, and are likely still at House of Hoops locations.

But are all of these films appropriate for Nike take-offs? On a recent ANIMAL post, we were tipped off to do a little film research.

Wesley Snipes did indeed wear Nikes. Probably a Flight Lite, even. Pass. The whole Hoosiers team wore Converse. Fail. Teen Wolf was sponsored by adidas (check the photo above) big Fail Fail Fail. Ooops.

Maybe Nike gets a pass on Hoosiers because they technically own Converse, and the film is a period piece, but Teenwolf? Come on guys, you’re slipping. Hit the jump for images of the sneaker in question, and punch yourself in the head if you’re considering buying this thing (not because of the rip, but more because you shouldn’t be wearing sneakers with fur on them).

Nike Teenwolf Dunk

Nike Teenwolf Dunk

Nike Teenwolf Dunk

Nike Teenwolf Dunk

Teenwolf sneaker images via Nicekicks.