ComplexCon Proves Its No One-Hit Wonder With Action-Packed Year 2 (PHOTOS/VIDEO)

ComplexCon — part music festival, part sneaker convention, part art exhibition — was held for the second time in Long Beach, CA this past weekend. The two-day event again served as paradise for music and sneaker enthusiasts, who lined up to buy the new merch from their favorite brands and see live performances from their favorite artists. Here is a recap of all the happenings at the second annual ComplexCon.

The Music

For music fans, there were plenty of dope artists to see, including M.I.A., Gucci Mane, Jaden Smith, Wiz Khalifa, Young Thug and DJ Khaled who brought out G-Eazy, who introduced a new song. There was also a surprise performances from Migos, who was brought out during Gucci Mane’s set.

Attendees at ComplexCon were also able to hear several songs from the first N.E.R.D album in seven years in what might have been the most elaborate listening session ever. The listening session for “Nothing” allowed Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley to connect with their fans, both old and new.

The Booths

Of the more than 50,000 people in attendance at the Long Beach Convention Center, were many sneaker fanatics, who flocked to many of the apparel and sneaker booths, including the Puma booth, which featured appearances by PNB Rock, Dave East and A$AP Twelvvy. Fans got a special treat when rapper Big Sean made a surprise appearance at the booth as well. The Foot Locker booth exhibit was visited by rapper Desiigner.

The Releases

Several highly coveted sneakers were released during ComplexCon, including the Pusha T x Adidas EQT “Brown Paper Bag” and the Footpatrol x Juice x Adidas Sneaker Exchange project. Extra Butter will also released its project with Ghostface Killah and ASICS. G-Star revealed the new G-Star Raw suit with Pharrell.

In another surprise release, NBA rookie Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers released his ZO2 Collection, which is a full fashion line that includes features a T-shirt with Ball in a high school “Ballers” jersey and another t-shirt that features his face on Nas’ “Illmatic” album cover.

‼️‼️ Launching my ZO2 apparel collection today at Complexcon 🔥 Swing by Booth I21 and “Getcha merch” 💯 pic.twitter.com/BlLCwRI4y2

— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) November 4, 2017

The Panels

ComplexCon attendees were also treated into an interesting panel discussion from rapper Kendrick Lamar and NBA great Kobe Bryant, who appeared together as part of the Nike Experience, discussing how basketball and music influenced their lives.

Another panel of interest was the “We In Here: Injecting Culture into Hollywood,” panel, which featured Hollywood power broker Charles D. King, CEO and Founder of MACRO; actor Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler. With King as the moderator, the panel discussed diversity in Hollywood and the potential impact of the success of recent television and film projects featuring actors of color on the industry overall.

The Appearances

At the Dim Mak booth, Steve Aoki offered screen printed T-shirts before he appeared at Vision Streetwear to make a surprise DJ set.

There was even an André 3000 appearance at this year’s ComplexCon, with the rap legend releasing 100 pairs of an exclusive sneaker he made in collaboration with Tretorn.

Designer and Founder of Off-White ‘Virgil Abloh delivered a keynote and give a master class as part of the Nike Air Force 35th Anniversary Celebration, which offered attendees a chance to customize shoes in celebration of Air Force 1’s 35th anniversary.

Other highlights include Cam’ron doing a surprise meet & greet at the Old Spice Puppy Party and DRAM performing on the Pigeons & Planes stage.

Also walking the floor at the convention center were a number of celebrities, including Usher, Travis Barker, 2 Chainz, Michael B. Jordan, Victor Cruz, Rei Kawakubo.

Lavar and Lonzo Ball, who helped judge the “Sneaker of the Year” competition, Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, Wiz Khalifa, Rich the Kid, Ty Dolla $ign and Rotimi also all made appearances at this year’s ComplexCon.

Video and more photos from the 2017 ComplexCon are below.

(Photos courtesy of ComplexCon)