First teased in mid-November 2022, Jae Tips’ Saucony Grid Azura 2000 will begin its rollout on May 6. Attention-grabbing like the Bronx-native’s fitted caps and pins, the upcoming Saucony Originals project features an array of premium materials. Creativity, style, and culture come together on “Jae Tips First Shoe” as printed on the equally-colorful shoe box. According to the multi-hyphenate creative, the conversation for a footwear collaboration with the Massachusetts-based company began in early 2021. Over the course of almost two years, Jae Tips modified the Grid Azura 2000 to his liking, ending up with one of the most vibrant offerings to come from the brand. Disparate tones and prints cover the entirety of the retro-futuristic sneaker: pink takes over the “Grid”-branded midsoles while a semi-translucent finish appears via the outsole. Purple suede, zebra patterns, and floral prints divvy up real estate up-top, creating a busy, but harmonious ensemble on the turn-of-the-century Saucony design. Co-branding appears throughout the shoe, making the project a true collaboration. “It doesn’t always have to be about dollar…but about the ‘cool’ factor,” shared Jae Tips about his Saucony partnership during a phone call in January. Before releasing the bold Grid Azura 2000, the duo teased a second shoe, the Saucony Grid Shadow 2, in more than one color scheme. Timelines may change, but the follow-up project should see a November launch, the self-proclaimed “Uptown Savior” told Sneaker News.