Rapper CRO and Zellerfeld Head to Mars for Space Age Shoe Drop

CRO, Germany’s trailblazing rapper and visionary artist, embarks on a bold new journey with the launch of an otherworldly shoe, the MARS MELLOW, in collaboration with Zellerfeld. This visionary product was launched in a mysterious, highly creative way by Anomaly Berlin.

CRO is celebrated for his signature 'Raop' sound (a fusion of rap and pop) and his iconic mask. Since his 2012 breakthrough with the album Raop, CRO has solidified his place in the music scene, reaching millions of streams amongst gen-z fans throughout the world. In recent years, the 34-year-old has continuously expanded his creative horizons, crossing and bridging various styles, techniques and genres. His genre-blending music, visionary fashion sense, and artistic endeavours make him the perfect collaboration partner for Zellerfeld.

Zellerfeld has disrupted traditional manufacturing with its cutting-edge 3D-printing technology, catapulting 3D-printed footwear onto the global stage. Through collaborations with industry powerhouses like LVMH, Moncler, Heron Preston, KidSuper, Rains, Pangaia, and artists like Pharrell Williams, Zellerfeld isn’t just a tech company - they are rewriting the rules of what’s possible in footwear. Their ground breaking technology has dismantled long-standing manufacturing limitations, proving that 3D printing isn’t just the future - it’s the present.

The MARS MELLOW embodies CRO’s exploration of the futuristic unknown, blending the thrill of space exploration with his signature playful and imaginative style. It's a shoe designed to evoke lightness, comfort, and intrigue. Delivering more than just footwear, it’s a wearable piece of art.

“This shoe is a journey - a trip into the unknown, where fashion, music, and technology collide,” says CRO. “I wanted to design something that feels like it belongs on Mars. The MARS MELLOW is futuristic and bold, like something you’d wear while exploring a new planet. It’s playful and otherworldly, but still grounded in my identity as an artist. It’s more than just a sneaker - it’s a space-age statement, made for those ready to leave Earth behind.”

Launched through a social first, integrated campaign rooted in the mystery and intrigue surrounding Mars, the campaign’s concept is inspired by humanity’s fascination with the red planet. Whether it's the possibility of extra-terrestrial life or the dream of colonizing Mars, the planet remains a symbol of curiosity and adventure.

The campaign began with CRO’s 'abduction' during an Instagram Live stream in which he vanished into a beam of light, sparking immediate buzz and the hashtag #whereiscro. At the same time, CRO’s face disappeared from his own IG feed. As rumours swirled, a group of playful Martian 'trolls' were unleashed on CRO’s account, who flooded his comments in an indecipherable language. The Martian profiles began interacting directly with fans, who soon decoded their encrypted language.

As the story unfolded, UFO sightings started popping up on the feeds of influential artist friends of CRO such as Malachiii and Bunt, hinting at something big – the first glimpses of the MARS MELLOW. Things escalated when CRO’s Spotify account was 'hacked' and snippets of a brand new track were released fuelling the anticipation. Coded alien text on the track’s visuals teased coordinates to a neighbourhood in Tokyo, where the shoes were set to be launched.

Fans were soon delighted to learn that CRO had been safe all along – on Mars. Photos and film of CRO partying with aliens in an extra-terrestrial landscape began to surface, and the enigmatic 'Martian Lookbook' took over his social media.

Shot by renowned photographer Geray Mena together with French production house Birth, the Martian Lookbook showcases the MARS MELLOW in a series of surreal, high-fashion images. Mena, known for his work with brands like Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld, and Hermès, brought his signature blend of luxury and humour to the campaign. The images depict the shoes in fantastical settings – from campfires on Mars to holograms on spaceships – marrying high fashion with an interplanetary twist.

The campaign culminated in a highly anticipated pop-up event in Tokyo, where CRO and his new Martian friends physically brought the 3D printed MARS MELLOW 'back to Earth'. This event marked the official release of the shoe to the public, giving fans and fashion enthusiasts their first chance to own this innovative piece of footwear.

The Zellerfeld x CRO collaboration is a seamless fusion of futuristic design and imaginative storytelling. The MARS MELLOW isn’t just a shoe – it’s an experience that captures the intrigue of outer space and the boldness of cultural exploration, by challenging the boundaries of fashion, blending playful creativity with high-end, contemporary style. And the supporting campaign from Anomaly Berlin compliments with a highly innovative, creative and playful digital approach, which has already reached over 10 million people without a single Euro being spent on media.