FOOTBALL’S VERY OWN

Drake’s OVO, aka October’s Very Own, has linked up with Major League Soccer for a limited capsule collection: Designed by graffiti and tattoo legend Mister Cartoon, the capsule features hoodies, shorts and t-shirts that artfully combine the logos of the Toronto FC, New York City FC and LAFC with OVO’s iconic owl in cartoon aesthetic.

But there’s something missing from the collection: actual football jerseys, despite the item’s growing popularity amongst North-American rappers in the past two decades, OVO head honcho Drake included. And while a general interest in football jerseys might look surprising at first in a country that is still ruled by American football, basketball and baseball, it’s not: Hip hop has always been about innovating and setting trends – and the more outlandish, the better.

And even though it’s another story if rappers wear jerseys out of an actual love for the game (or just for fashion reasons), here’s a round of hand-picked moments of rappers in football jerseys to celebrate the unlikely liaison:

Drake – Juventus Turin

Lil Durk – FC Chelsea

Pusha T – Germany

6ix9ine – FC Bayern München

Tyler The Creator – Juventus Turin

Every rapper there is – FC Arsenal

Drake – FC Barcelona (with Spotify’s ‘OVO’ sponsoring)

Snoop Dogg – Every team there is

J. Cole – Germany