Each year, Nike rolls out a new LeBron model, and each year it tells a slightly different story about where he is as a player and what the brand thinks about performance basketball. Some have been generational. Some have been forgettable. Here is every signature shoe LeBron has worn as a Laker, ranked from worst to best.

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9. Nike LeBron 19

The LeBron 19 is probably the most overlooked shoe in his entire Lakers catalog, and there is a reason for that. It arrived during a forgettable season where LeBron dealt with injuries and the team underperformed. The shoe itself also struggled to make a visual impact.

It featured 360-degree Max Air cushioning and a thick, high-collared silhouette that felt bulky compared to what came before and after it. The design leaned heavily on geometric paneling and a chunky sole that divided sneaker fans.

It performed well on court, and the cushioning technology was genuinely impressive, but as a statement shoe it never quite landed the way the LeBron line typically does. It is the rare LeBron model that came and went without much conversation.

8. Nike Ambassador 13

The Nike Ambassador 13 was the surprise of the 2021-22 season. LeBron made a quiet switch to his takedown model mid-season, which caught a lot of sneakerheads off guard. The Ambassador line is typically considered a budget alternative to his main signature shoes.

The shoe features a simpler, cleaner aesthetic than his flagship models, with a streamlined silhouette and more understated branding. It was a practical, no-frills choice that said more about LeBron prioritizing comfort and fit than about any design statement.

That kind of honesty about what works for him is admirable, but as a ranked entry in his Lakers catalog, it sits near the bottom simply because it was never designed to be the main event.

7. Nike LeBron 18

The LeBron 18 arrived during a challenging post-championship season where the Lakers were navigating injuries and roster uncertainty. The shoe itself was one of the more technically ambitious in the line. It combined Max Air and Zoom Air cushioning systems into a dual setup that split the midsole into two functional halves, one tuned for speed and one for power.

The Knitposite 2.0 upper locked the foot in well and the shoe had a premium feel on court. A number of strong Lakers colorways dropped during this cycle including several purple and gold options honoring the 2020 title run.

It is a good shoe that gets a bit lost sandwiched between the championship-winning 17 and the critically well-received 19, but it absolutely holds its own.

6. Nike LeBron 21

The LeBron 21 was a return to form for the signature line after the divisive 19 and 20 cycles. Nike went with a lower-profile silhouette and a cleaner overall aesthetic. They used Knitposite 3.0 for the upper alongside dual Zoom Air units underneath for a responsive, cushioned ride.

The result was one of the better-looking LeBron models in years, and colorways like the “Abalone” and “Champion Mindset” generated real heat on social media. LeBron wore the 21 for a season where he continued to defy age and put up All-Star numbers, and the shoe matched his energy well.

It is a confident, mature sneaker that signals Nike and LeBron have found a design language they are comfortable with heading into the final chapter of his career.

5. Nike LeBron 22

The LeBron 22 is the most recent completed signature cycle of his Lakers era, and it ranks as one of the better entries in the line. Nike gave this model a sleek, streamlined look with lightweight materials and a low-to-the-ground feel. LeBron seems to prefer that as his game has evolved toward being more deliberate and less reliant on pure athleticism.

Several standout colorways dropped during the season including the “Tai Lung” Kung Fu Panda inspired pair that he wore on New Year’s Eve 2024 and the “Captain Planet” All-Star Game edition.

The shoe handled the demands of LeBron’s 22nd NBA season without missing a beat. Its visual identity is clean and confident in a way that not every LeBron model manages to pull off.

4. Nike LeBron 16

LeBron’s first season as a Laker was also the debut of the LeBron 16, and that shoe made one of the strongest first impressions of any model in his Lakers catalog. The 16 introduced Battleknit 2.0 technology, a woven upper that provided a secure lockdown fit without adding bulk. It also featured a full-length Air unit and Zoom Air at the forefoot.

It also came in a remarkable range of colorways during that first Lakers season. The iconic “I’m King” purple and gold edition was exclusive to Los Angeles and dropped at the home opener at Staples Center.

That shoe in particular captured the excitement of LeBron arriving in LA and gave the sneaker world something memorable right from the jump. A strong debut all around.

3. Nike LeBron 20

The LeBron 20 is widely regarded as one of the best-performing and best-looking shoes in LeBron’s entire signature catalog, not just his Lakers era. Nike stripped back the design considerably compared to the chunky 19. They went with a lighter, more breathable build and a silhouette that looked genuinely sleek on foot.

The cushioning was excellent and the shoe moved well with LeBron’s game as he continued to age gracefully into a more half-court oriented style. The LeBron 20 also had an exceptional run of colorways, several of which are among the most sought-after Lakers PEs he has ever worn.

It was a reset moment for the line after a couple of underwhelming models, and it delivered on almost every level.

2. Nike LeBron 23

The LeBron 23 is a landmark shoe in every sense of the word. It is LeBron’s 23rd signature sneaker, it matches his current jersey number, and it may well be the last signature model he ever wears as an active NBA player.

For the first time in the entire LeBron line, the 23 features a full-length ZoomX drop-in midsole paired with a carbon fiber shank, making it the most technologically advanced shoe he has ever worn on court.

Nike planned 23 unique colorways for the shoe, each tied to a specific moment from LeBron’s 23-year career. Those moments range from becoming the first player to score 40,000 career points to playing alongside his son Bronny as the NBA’s first ever father-son duo.

1. Nike LeBron 17

The LeBron 17 is the obvious number one, and it is not particularly close. This is the shoe LeBron wore when he led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 NBA Championship in the Orlando bubble, winning his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP in the process.

The shoe itself was exceptional, featuring KnitPosite technology, a full Max Air unit, and a design language that felt futuristic and purposeful at the same time. Nike dropped several outstanding colorways during the championship season. The “Media Day” purple and gold PE and the “Lakers” home and away editions were among the best.

Winning a title in any shoe elevates it to another level, but the LeBron 17 was already one of the best models in his catalog before the Finals win. Championship pedigree on top of great design makes this one the best.

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The post Every Sneaker LeBron James Has Worn As A Laker Ranked From Worst To Best appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

He said that Claressa had already told him about the Bud situation before Fif made it public, although he didn’t specify exactly what she told him about it. In any case, Pap shut down cheating allegations, pointing out how Bud denied being intimate with her as well. He also brought up the G-Unit mogul’s beef with Big Meech, as he had claimed that Meech was a snitch but seemingly never put up the paperwork he promised to expose. The freestyle veteran thinks this is another example of 50 not putting his money where his mouth is.

Also, he said he doesn’t really know Maserati Bud, so he wont’ speak on him directly. But most importantly, Papoose took aim at 50 Cent and called this scandal a fake distraction from the “Agent Provocateur” diss that Pap sent his way. He also brought up Claressa Shields’ potential legal response to the Queens MC, but he didn’t get into specifics.

Then, the two laughed about DJ Vlad’s joke that Pap may be physically afraid to break up with one of the best boxers of all time.

Read More: Why Is The Internet So Mad At Claressa Shields?

Why Are 50 Cent & Papoose Beefing?

For those unaware, 50 Cent’s beef with Papoose and Claressa Shields blew up early this year thanks to some social media trolling, A.I.-generated videos, diss tracks, and more. 50 and Pap particularly have had tension for years now, possibly because of some teasing 50 did to Remy Ma while Pap was still with her.

It seems like things might be quiet now between them, but if you know Fif, you know the potential for a re-ignition is always there. In fact, he recently included Papoose on a list of people he’s streaming better than on YouTube, which shows he’s still on his list. So maybe this online saga is not over yet.

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

The post Papoose Gives Final Word On 50 Cent’s Claressa Shields Cheating Claims appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Today (Sunday, April 5), they took to their IG Story to counter first week sales reports for Kanye West’s Bully, which had the album debuting at No. 2 on Billboard with 152K album-equivalent units in its first week. But the album emerged on streaming services on a Saturday, not a Friday.

As such, Gamma claimed the project actually moved about 201K units in its first full week of sales, and should have debuted at No. 1 on Billboard. The promotion also flaunted the LP as the number one streaming album in the United States and the number one album on Apple Music and Spotify globally. It celebrated the “FATHER” music video with Travis Scott as the number one video on YouTube, the album’s 264 million global Spotify streams at press time, and Ye having the highest-grossing concert in SoFi Stadium history. “The real deal. A big week for independent artists,” Gamma captioned their Story post.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

When Will Kanye West Drop Bully Deluxe?

In addition, they shared the “full seven-day sales and consumption through Saturday 4/4 at 3am” to prove their numbers allegations regarding full first week numbers. It accounts for sales at the SoFi show this past Friday (April 3), the late upload on Apple Music, and updated product sales and streaming performances beyond Luminate’s reported activity through that Friday for the Billboard charts.

This new announcement did not come with a release date reveal, so we’ll have to wait for Kanye West’s Bully deluxe for the foreseeable future with no signs on the horizon. Considering how many times Ye delayed the project and how Kanye releases tend to go, this doesn’t bode particularly well.

Also, many listeners believe Bully isn’t even fully finished to begin with, so there’s understandable skepticism around this drop. We will just have to wait and see what happens amid many other controversies and debates.

Read More: Ye’s “Bully” Arrives Amid Kanye West Praise & Fatigue

The post Kanye West Announces “Bully” Deluxe Via Gamma & Counters First Week Sales appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by The Neighborhood Talk on IG, the painter said he didn’t see what was wrong with the painting in a new post, but still shouted Baby out. The Charlotte MC left him an Instagram comment that made his position clear.

“You still got my daughters on yo page as a grown man after I made it clear I ain’t comfortable with that,” the “POP DAT THANG” spitter wrote. “Steady playing for this online attention. So when God put me back in front of you ima show you how serious I am about my daughters. Best advice I can give you, get my children off yo page & keep doing what you gifted at doing. Using My kids ain’t the route to go if you wanna go viral, that’s the route to go if you wanna get hurt. This a father talking not a rapper.”

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

How Many Kids Does DaBaby Have?

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“First and foremost, I’m not the type of father that’s into grown-a** men discussing my daughters, painting pictures of my daughters, taking pictures of my kids,” he said in a social media video. “I don’t play like that. If you play like that, to each his own… Number two, I’m not accepting no painting of my daughters outside of a nightclub. Number three, you feel a way about the principles I stand on with my kids and how far I go to protect them, that ain’t none of my concern.”

DaBaby reportedly has five children as of March of this year. We will see if this painter fully backs off or if there will be more social media updates.

Elsewhere, Baby is trying to bounce back after controversy, although he doesn’t want to compromise either. Still, his divisive musical moves don’t have anything to do with this situation. Rather, this is just another example of the fan/celebrity line being too blurry for a simple rejection to go by unnoticed.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review 

The post DaBaby Threatens Fan After Rejecting Their Painting Of His Daughters appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

For those unaware, Pooh, his father, Big30, and six other individuals were arrested by federal authorities this week. Prosecutors accused them of kidnapping and robbing Gucci and two others over a dispute concerning Pooh’s 1017 Records contract.

As caught by Kollege Kidd on Twitter, both Atlanta colleagues took pretty different stances on this situation. “If Gucci Mane would’ve took matters into his own hands and had Pooh Shiesty and them taken away from this world, everybody would be calling Gucci Mane so stupid right now,” Woody posited. “Whatever happened is Pooh Shiesty and them’s fault. Start with the problem. Anything else is irrelevant.”

He basically implied that Gucci hypothetically doesn’t have the blame concerning this alleged incident, and that true accountability falls on the Memphis rapper. Lil Woody already spoke on Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane, expressing disappointment and sadness for Pooh considering his recent return from prison and musical success. So this recent reflection seems to add responsibility and potential to that equation.

As for Ralo, his perspective is very different. “Well, in my opinion, if somebody would’ve did that to me, I would’ve sent them to God,” he remarked. “I would’ve waited until I got the right moment, and sent them to God. That’s just my way of doing things… I’m not going to let nobody take nothing from me.”

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

Pooh Shiesty & Gucci Mane Debate

Lil Woody argued that Gucci didn’t lose anything in this situation, suggesting that Shiesty is really the one risking a lot here. But we’ll have to see how the case actually develops before jumping to conclusions.

Meanwhile, other folks like Charleston White are reacting to the Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty allegations. He’s far from the only one. Asian Doll recently blasted 1017, 50 Cent chimed in, NLE Choppa is speaking out… There’s a lot of discussion from the hip-hop world and beyond. But it’s all debates, speculation, and unverified conclusions until more concrete and official information comes to light.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post Ralo Tells Lil Woody How He Would’ve Handled Pooh Shiesty In Alleged Conflict appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The new Ye LP debuted at No. 2 this week, marking his 14th top two album. It reportedly moved 152K album-equivalent units in its first week, led by 96K units via streaming performance and 56K pure album sales. This follows his previous albums Vultures and Vultures 2 with Ty Dolla $ign, which landed at No. 1 with 148K units and at No. 2 with 107K units, respectively.

Of course, these numbers are causing a lot of discussion from hardcore fans and haters alike, questioning the longevity and sustainability of Kanye in the 2020s. Even though Bully missed the top spot, at least sales numbers indicate a boost from the last few records. Also, it’s rocky and chaotic release on digital streaming platforms last week might have affected these numbers a lot. It officially came out on Saturday, March 28 on official digital platforms, excluding a YouTube livestream.

Read More: Ye’s “Bully” Arrives Amid Kanye West Praise & Fatigue

Pepsi Takes Stance On Kanye West

This news emerged as folks are debating about Ye’s past controversies and bigotries regarding antisemitism, alleged sexual harassment, and much more. Pepsi recently withdrew their longtime sponsorship of the Wireless Festival in London after the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister condemned Kanye West’s three-day booking at the festival.

As such, there’s a lot of discussion floating around already, and the commercial performance of Bully will serve to prove haters’ points or vindicate die-hards’ support. Musically, the album is just as divisive, with many praising the atmosphere as many others decry a meager and unsatisfying tracklist. No matter where folks fall, they are not finding very positive or graceful responses to their takes.

Critically, Kanye West’s Bully got panned by many, but fans continue to sing its praises. This disconnect between many different groups is clearer than ever. But when it comes to first week sales, all these opposing sides led to results that aren’t great, aren’t terrible either, and feel more transitionary than anything else.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post Kanye West’s “Bully” First Week Sales Are Officially In, And They Are Divisive appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by No Jumper on Instagram, Paul recently appeared on Von’s podcast, where they discussed the comedian’s viral skit. “I’ve been, over the last couple of days, calling makeup artists,” he said. “I was going to do a response to this and do the full-on…”

“Darker?” the podcast host asked. “Yeah,” the boxer replied. “And just do it back, because why not? Are we on the same playing field?”

Theo acknowledged the massive backlash that blackface would cause, positing that Jake would need to collaborate with a significant Black entertainer to mitigate the controversy. But the former Vine star wants to double down, not seek approval.

“That’s p***ying out,” Paul argued. “Doesn’t that make us more prejudiced if we have to partner with someone? Druski just dropped this. I f***ing love it. This is great. This is how humans should be. We should f***ing make fun of each other. And I don’t see in color. I see in truth and comedy. So what are we talking about? What era are we living in?”

The two then discussed how former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced a big blackface controversy years ago, as well as Jimmy Kimmel. In fact, Paul thought (or possibly joked) that the image Von showed of Kimmel in blackface was of Shaquille O’Neal.

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

Trump Reacts To Druski Skit

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Many folks did not like Druski’s Erika Kirk skit, particularly those from the conservative world. This includes United States President Donald Trump, who encouraged Erika to sue him. Of course, the backlash Jake would get for blackface would be even more significant for obvious reasons, so presenting it as a one-to-one comparison is inaccurate.

Considering Jake Paul’s Trump support, his idea to respond to the sketch is unsurprising. Hopefully someone in his corner steers him away from the possibility. Elsewhere, Druski might be dealing with more drama, as Charleston White accused Young Thug of threatening him at a “Coulda Been Love” reunion.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post Jake Paul Wants To Respond To Druski’s Erika Kirk Skit With A Blackface Sketch appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by DJ Akademiks TV on Instagram, the streamer called White to ask him what allegedly happened between Shiesty and Gucci. Charleston pointed to Pooh’s mother’s alleged claims about Guwop making $24 million from the Memphis MC while he was in prison, which Shiesty allegedly didn’t see a cent from during his time or after his release.

Then, White spoke on federal authorities’ allegations regarding Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane. They claim Pooh, his father, Big30, and six other individuals kidnapped and robbed Gucci and two colleagues at a Dallas recording studio. This was allegedly to get Shiesty out of his 1017 Records contract, as there were alleged discrepancies over money left on the table.

While some of these alleged details appear in the federal indictment, none of the narratives Charleston White spoke to have been confirmed at press time. Many folks are sharing and alleging similar stories and explanations, but no one is closer to definitive answers just yet.

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

Pooh Shiesty’s Mom Reacts

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Pooh Shiesty’s mother recently seemed to react to his arrest on Facebook. She shared some messages about blocking haters and trusting her faith, which indicates full support of her son. There have also been reports and rumors floating around that she addressed these theories more directly, but nothing official has confirmed them. As such, White’s claims about Pooh’s mother making those allegations are not true at press time. But we’ll see if she does speak out soon.

Elsewhere, Pooh Shiesty’s lawyer responded to this case. He claimed prosecutors are oversimplifying a complex issue. “The government tries to characterize this as a dispute over money between [Shiesty] and his record label, but in this business, things are very often not what they seem, and people’s motivations are very often not what they seem,” John Helms reportedly stated.

As for Gucci Mane, he has not publicly responded to any of this at press time.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post Charleston White Peddles Pooh Shiesty & Gucci Mane Conspiracy Theories appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

For those unaware, fans felt like James insensitively criticized the city, pointing to their majority Black population. He responded to the backlash, calling it overblown and criticizing people for inflating his personal experience. “Did I say I don’t like Black people?” the Los Angeles Laker told ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin yesterday (Saturday, April 4). “I’m 41 years old and there’s two cities I don’t like playing in right now. And that’s Milwaukee and that’s Memphis… I’m not talking about the city, the people in Memphis. I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Century. What’s wrong with that?”

Shifting gears to Pooh Shiesty’s legal trouble, he and eight other individuals were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and robbing Gucci Mane. Choppa reacted to this on Twitter earlier this week: “Ian gon lie Shiesty f***ed me up with this one.”

On Friday (April 3), he returned to the social media platform with the following message: “Yall got Memphis f***ed up WE GOT BLACK EXCELLENCE TOO!” This seems to respond to LeBron’s comments and the debate around his criticisms, as well as the scrutiny against Pooh and the city’s hip-hop scene.

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

Pooh Shiesty’s Arrest

Even Memphis Mayor Paul Young responded to LeBron James’ comments on Twitter. “@kingjames, I would welcome the chance to turn your criticism into action in one of the most important cities in the world. Come to Memphis and roll around with me for a bit and I will show you some of the culture and powerful investment opportunities in our City.”

As for the Pooh Shiesty situation, others came to his defense for different reasons after authorities apprehended the Memphis MC earlier this week in Dallas. Days later, Asian Doll blasted Gucci Mane and 1017 Records on social media. For those unaware, the alleged kidnapping supposedly occurred over a dispute concerning Shiesty’s 1017 contract with Guwop. We will see how that criminal case evolves in the future.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post NLE Choppa Defends Memphis Amid Pooh Shiesty & LeBron James Backlash appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Via Twitter, Kim thanked Cardi and their fans for all the love. “You already know I got you forever,” she wrote last night (Saturday, April 4). “Watching you step into your power is so beautiful, and I’m happy to even be a part of it. If y’all only knew… Cardi really the big sister. That outfit her and her team put together was so beautiful, I was like ‘this is HER moment…’


“I was scared, but you pushed me anyway…” the Brooklyn icon continnued.
”Cardi was like ‘girl put that on, & let’s go!!’ When I saw us on that stage 2gether… I totally got your vision.
I was looking at my twin, my love, my soul sister 4life. I love U downnn. Kollin you are EVERYTHING. If you trying to get in touch with me, call my manager Cardi (inside joke). The love you guys showed Cardi and I @TheGarden was unmatched… truly heartwarming.”

“I can’t thank you enough for joining me on stage!!!” the Bronx star responded. “You are forever and always the blue print and a queen and you need to NEVER forget that!!! F**k all that humble s**t you deserve to walk in your power everyday.”

Read More: LeBron James Is Perpetuating Racist Narratives About Memphis, And The NBA Couldn’t Be Happier

Cardi B’s “Little Miss Drama” Tour

Lil Kim and Cardi B have traded praise throughout their careers, a connection that many fans sadly only see through the lens of their Nicki Minaj beef in common. But that’s only a small part of their connection, and one that hasn’t been relevant for many years now.

Elsewhere, Cardi has a few more dates left to go on this “Little Miss Drama” trek. It will end on April 18 in Atlanta after visiting Philadelphia, Washington D.C., North Carolina, and Florida.

Throughout this trek, she showed not just why she’s a superstar of her own, but why Lil Kim is a big influence and mentor. Hopefully they have more to share on the way.

Read More: Kanye West “Bully” Album Review

The post Cardi B Honors Lil Kim As “The Blueprint” After Their NYC Show appeared first on HotNewHipHop.