White leather covers most of the upper, with the model’s signature black removable shroud sitting over the laces. Musical notes run across that shroud, a detail tied to the original jazz-inspired concept for the shoe. College Blue wraps around the midsole and outsole, while a small Jumpman logo sits on the lace lock in matching blue.

The packaging is just as big a story here as the shoe itself. This retro brings back the original metal briefcase, replacing standard cardboard entirely. It’s one of the more unusual packaging choices Jordan Brand has ever used.

This marks the first-ever retro of College Blue in its true mid-top form. Past re-releases have stuck to the low-top version, leaving this specific build untouched until now.

Given the shoe’s 25th anniversary and its tie to Michael Jordan’s Washington Wizards run, expect plenty of demand once it finally drops.

Read More: Extremely Limited Air Jordan 14 “Purple Ferrari” Surfaces Online

Air Jordan 17 “College Blue”

Michael Jordan wore “College Blue” during the 2001-02 season. It was his first year back in the league as a member of the Wizards. The white and blue color scheme pulled directly from the team’s home uniform at the time.

Wilson Smith III designed the Air Jordan 17 around Jordan’s love of jazz music, working that theme into almost every part of the shoe. Beyond the musical notes on the shroud, the original release even included a CD insert packed inside that same metal briefcase.

That approach made the Air Jordan 17 stand apart from every other model in the line. Few basketball shoes at the time treated packaging as part of the actual design story, rather than just something to hold the product.

With official images now confirmed and a firm release date locked in, “College Blue” looks set to be one of the most talked-about retros of early 2027.

Read More: Lizzo Scores Legal Win As Former Stylist’s Lawsuit Is Dismissed

The post Air Jordan 17 “College Blue” Returns With Its Original Briefcase appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The racial attacks became the sharpest part of the exchange. N.O.R.E. repeatedly baited Vlad over whether he has ever used the N-word privately and suggested that he believes the answer is yes. He offered no evidence that Vlad has used the slur, making the posts accusations rather than proof of racist behavior. The taunting nevertheless extends an argument N.O.R.E. has been making since the feud became public. He has accused Vlad of profiting from conflict involving Black artists while remaining outside the culture he covers.

Read More: DJ Vlad Accuses N.O.R.E. Of Exploiting Artists & Getting Addicts Drunk On “Drink Champs”

Vlad’s History Of Public Criticisms

Vlad has faced versions of that criticism throughout his career. During his own appearance on Drink Champs, he acknowledged that being white meant there would be experiences involving Black people that he could not completely understand. Asked about racially insensitive questions, Vlad conceded that he could be insensitive on some subjects while arguing that his perspective was also part of what attracted viewers to his interviews. That discussion did not amount to Vlad admitting racism, but it now gives N.O.R.E.’s current attacks another piece of old footage for fans to revisit.

The ridicule has also returned to one of VladTV’s oldest running reputations. N.O.R.E. joked that artists who sit with Vlad have a habit of ending up arrested or incarcerated, an accusation that has circulated around the platform for years whenever a guest discusses crimes or street activity in detail. Vlad has consistently rejected claims that he works with law enforcement or deliberately incriminates guests. Earlier this year, he pushed back after speculation connected VladTV to AllStar JR’s arrest and said he would refuse to cooperate if authorities sought information from him about a private pre-interview conversation.

Read More: N.O.R.E Takes A Defiant Stand Against DJ Vlad

Keefe D gave N.O.R.E. an especially timely target for that joke. Duane Davis was convicted this week of orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder after prosecutors leaned heavily on public accounts he gave over the years. His VladTV interviews were among the statements scrutinized during the case, and VladTV itself recently reposted one of Davis’ conversations under the description that it was being used in his trial. Still, the interviews alone did not convict Davis. Prosecutors also relied on his memoir, other recorded statements and witness testimony as they argued that Davis repeatedly placed himself inside the Cadillac used in the shooting.

Meanwhile, Vlad has taken his own swings. His recent response framed the original disagreement as a matter of professionalism and accused N.O.R.E. of pressuring him to drink during negotiations for a Drink Champs appearance. He also criticized the show for encouraging intoxication around guests who may already have complicated relationships with alcohol or substance abuse. N.O.R.E.’s newest posts do not address those concerns in any sustained way. Instead, he appears intent on attacking Vlad’s credibility inside Hip Hop itself, and neither man is showing much interest in dragging this argument back behind closed doors.

Read More: DJ Vlad Proclaims Himself “Hip-Hop Journalist Of The Decade” Following Keefe D Conviction

The post N.O.R.E. Accuses DJ Vlad Of Racism As Their Feud Gets Uglier appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

PEOPLE states that the competition places Minaj alongside Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and real estate investor Grant Cardone on the judging panel, while Lois & Clark actor Dean Cain will host. According to the SBA, the five finalists were selected from thousands of applicants and will compete for awards ranging from $75,000 to $400,000. Clover Network is reportedly funding the $1 million prize rather than taxpayers. The event was previously promoted as the Patriot Pitch Competition before being folded into the administration’s broader Freedom 250 celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Read More: The MAGAfication Of Nicki Minaj

Styled After The Apprentice

There is also an unmistakable Trump-era television callback built into the presentation. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has described the event as bringing “boardroom energy” to Washington, language that immediately recalls The Apprentice, the NBC competition Trump hosted before entering presidential politics. The comparison is especially notable with Minaj now occupying the celebrity-judge seat rather than simply attending another administration event. PEOPLE reports that the administration hopes to distribute the Sept. 18 finale to a wider audience, further pushing the competition beyond a conventional small-business awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, for Minaj, the assignment extends a political relationship that has become much more visible throughout Trump’s second term. She appeared alongside him at the Trump Accounts Summit in January and returned to the White House in July, where Trump introduced her as a friend of what he called “common sense” rather than conservatism. Minaj has also publicly embraced figures and causes associated with Trump’s political movement, a shift that has drawn attention because of her earlier criticism of his immigration policies.

Read More: Nicki Minaj’s MAGA Posts Accused Of Being Amplified By Bots

The five businesses competing represent manufacturing, defense technology, and industrial services across Maine, Iowa, Wyoming, California, and Georgia. First place will receive $400,000, while the remaining finalists will divide the rest of the prize money. Minaj, Cardone, and Gebbia are scheduled to make those decisions when the Million Dollar Pitch Competition holds its live finale in Washington on Sept. 18.

The post Nicki Minaj Joins Trump Reality Show As Celebrity Judge appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Purple suede covers almost the entire upper, replacing the red associated with the model’s “Ferrari” nickname. Carbon fiber runs along the midsole and heel, while metallic gold hits show up on the plate and heel branding. A yellow shield badge near the collar keeps the design tied back to its Ferrari-inspired roots, even with the color swap.

Reports suggest as few as 50 pairs may exist, though that number hasn’t been confirmed. The card accompanying the shoe shows that scarcity, a personal gift tied directly to Michael Jordan rather than a standard release.

This isn’t the first sighting of “Purple Ferrari” either. Nigel Sylvester revealed a version of the colorway back in July, labeling it a WNBA Player Exclusive tied to Jordan Brand’s Friends and Family program. This latest reveal suggests the purple build may extend beyond that group, reaching Jordan Brand’s wider inner circle as well.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Rips Doodie Lo For Streaming With N3on Amid Lil Durk Trial

Air Jordan 14 “Purple Ferrari”

The Air Jordan 14’s Ferrari connection dates back to 1998, when designers Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith built the shoe around Michael Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello. Its sleek shape and badge on the collar both pulled directly from that car’s design language.

The original “Ferrari” colorway leaned into bold red suede, closely matching the car it was inspired by. “Purple Ferrari” flips that entirely, trading red for a deep purple that gives the shoe a completely different feel while keeping its shape intact.

Gifts like this have become part of how Jordan Brand rewards its closest athletes and collaborators. Rather than a public release, pairs like “Purple Ferrari” circulate quietly among a small group before any wider details come out.

With no public release currently expected, this remains one of the rarest versions of the Air Jordan 14 in circulation. Any additional pairs will likely surface the same way this one did, through leaks rather than official Jordan Brand announcements.

Read More: DJ Vlad Proclaims Himself “Hip-Hop Journalist Of The Decade” Following Keefe D Conviction

The post Extremely Limited Air Jordan 14 “Purple Ferrari” Surfaces Online appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Daniels sued in September 2023 after working for less than three weeks on the European portion of Lizzo’s Special Tour. Her complaint centered largely on alleged conduct inside the wardrobe department, including racist and fatphobic comments, sexual conversations, and mistreatment after she suffered injuries at work. Lizzo disputed the allegations, while her attorneys argued that Daniels never worked directly for the singer and acknowledged that the two had never met.

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Read More: Lizzo’s Ex-Assistant Wants To Bring Her Hostile Work Place Lawsuit To Court

Accuser Couldn’t Prove Her Case

The judge ultimately determined that the conduct Daniels described did not establish the type of gender-based hostility required for her Title VII claims. He also found insufficient evidence that men and women were treated differently in the workplace. Some of the alleged behavior was still characterized as inappropriate or unprofessional, but Aenlle-Rocha concluded that distinction was not enough to create a viable federal discrimination case. Daniels’ disability claim failed as well, with the court finding that injuries to her ankle and foot did not meet the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Lizzo addressed the result without speaking in a video posted to Instagram, instead allowing a written statement to scroll across the screen. “Today I am relieved to announce that I have won the case against me and my touring company, Big Grrl Touring,” she wrote. She emphasized that Daniels had never met her and described the claims as “ridiculous,” before reiterating something she has said throughout the litigation. She plans to keep fighting rather than negotiate settlements simply to make the allegations disappear.

Read More: Lizzo Praised Amsterdam’s Banana Sex Show In Resurfaced Interview

Additionally, the ruling also should not be confused with the separate lawsuit brought by former dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. Their 2023 complaint accused Lizzo and members of her team of sexual harassment, discrimination, and other workplace misconduct. Lizzo has also denied those allegations. A judge dismissed one of their fat-shaming claims in December 2025, but the case remains active.

The post Lizzo Scores Legal Win As Former Stylist’s Lawsuit Is Dismissed appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Trafalgar Square installation opened Tuesday as part of Jay-Z’s ongoing 30th anniversary campaign. It’s been built largely around the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint, and the space uses televisions from the early 2000s to screen music videos and performances connected to that period of his career. Limited-edition merch is also available throughout the five-day run.

London has actually been getting the anniversary treatment in stages. A separate JAŸ-Z 30 pop-up opened at UMusic Shop in Camden on Aug. 27, stocked with London-exclusive merch and vinyl releases while local DJs handled evening sets. The Camden location runs through Sept. 2, while the Trafalgar Square installation remains open through Sept. 5.

Read More: JAŸ-Z’s Roc Nation Teases Big Announcement On September 1

Performing In London Before Moving On To France

The timing puts Jay-Z directly in front of fans before his first solo UK concerts since the Magna Carta World Tour in 2013. He last performed in Britain in 2018 alongside Beyoncé during their On the Run II Tour. His Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 Tottenham shows are the only UK dates on the current anniversary run.

Those concerts follow a three-night stretch at Yankee Stadium that leaned heavily into surprise appearances. Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem and Nas were among the artists who joined him during the New York dates, setting expectations high for what he may have planned in London. No special guests have been officially announced for the Tottenham performances.

The Trafalgar Square appearance at least gave London fans their first unscheduled Jay-Z sighting of the week. Once the two stadium shows wrap, the anniversary run moves to France for a Sept. 10 performance before returning to the United States for two Los Angeles dates in October.

The post Jay-Z Surprises Fans At London Pop-Up Ahead Of Tottenham Shows appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As it turns out, 6ix9ine has actually been a sizeable storyline throughout the trial. His interview with Wack 100 and DJ Akademiks was played in court, as 6ix9ine urged Durk to “slide for Von.” The prosecution used this to paint a picture of Durk allegedly being pressured into seeking revenge for the death of King Von.

Today, OTF Vonni was on the stand, and he furthered the narrative surrounding Durk and 6ix9ine. Vonni says 6ix9ine’s viral comments bothered him and made his alleged revenge plot that much more urgent.

When 6ix9ine saw that report today, he took to his IG story and wrote “Damn…rent free.”

Read More: How Hip-Hop Media Is Dividing Over The Lil Durk Trial

6ix9ine Continues To Get Mentioned During Lil Durk’s Trial

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This week has been a difficult one for Lil Durk in his trial. Both Flacka and Vonni have taken the stand and have directly accused Durk of orchestrating the murder-for-hire scheme at the center of this case.

At the time of writing this, Drew Findling is currently cross-examining Vonni to poke holes in his story. By the end of today or tomorrow, the prosecution will have rested its case. From there, closing arguments will take place, and the jury will deliberate.

If convicted, Durk faces life in prison. This trial remains a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates.

Read More: The 10 Most Iconic Nike Signature Shoes Of All Time

The post 6ix9ine Taunts Lil Durk After Being Mentioned In Court Yet Again appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As Vonni describes, Durk was allegedly frustrated with the lack of action following the death of King Von. In the group chat, Durk would allegedly demand why no one had retaliated. Previously, OTF Jam stated that he barely knew Von and felt as though he was being coerced into a bad situation. Based on Vonni’s testimony, it is clear that he felt similarly about the situation.

This lack of familiarity with Von and, by extension, Quando Rondo, led to some trepidation amongst OTF members. In a text shown in court, Durk was allegedly upset with his crew and pointed out that if the target was NBA YoungBoy, they wouldn’t have been so hesitant.

Read More: The 10 Most Iconic Nike Signature Shoes Of All Time

Lil Durk Allegedly Frustrated With OTF Members

“Let it be YB and nem,” Durk allegedly wrote. “Shorty be out every night. We got the lo on a MF and guess he at club like he ain’t got be worried about. Set said Chicago only, but in the A, they think we sweet.”

Durk and YoungBoy’s beef has gone on for many years, and these alleged text messages suggest that there was a lot of animosity towards YB within OTF. Durk allegedly feels as though that animosity was not shown towards King Von’s alleged killers.

Vonni remains on the stand this afternoon as Drew Findling carries out his cross-examination. It is expected that the prosecution will rest its case either today or on Wednesday.

Read More: How Hip-Hop Media Is Dividing Over The Lil Durk Trial

The post NBA YoungBoy Mentioned In Alleged Lil Durk Texts As OTF Vonni Takes The Stand appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

On Monday, Cedric Bradley, a friend of White, took the stand as a state witness when he testified that Kewon confessed to the shooting. Bradley recalled White telling him that he told him that he’s “the one that did that work on the rap n***a on the freeway.”

“I was like, how do you do that on the freeway? And that’s when he broke down and told me that he had pulled up on the side of him or whatever, rolled down the window, shot the gun at the car. Sh*t, that’s when the car stopped, and then buddy hopped out. Said when he hopped out, he had already figured that he had him, so he jumped out, fired a couple shots at him,” he said. 

Read More: How Hip-Hop Media Is Dividing Over The Lil Durk Trial

State Witness Testifies In Mo3 Murder Trial

Bradley recalled how White explained how he continued to chase down Mo3 and shoot him until he saw that he fell. 

“After that, I tell him like, ‘damn, you did all that on the freeway or whatever and you ain’t got no money? He was like, ‘shit.’ He wasn’t trippin,’” Bradley continued. “After that, I tell him like that ain’t how it’s supposed to go, n***a. If you gonna get out and do some work, you need to get paid at least some of it.”

Check the clip above. We will keep you posted on any further updates surrounding the case. 

Read More: The 10 Most Iconic Nike Signature Shoes Of All Time

The post Friend Of Mo3’s Alleged Killer Claims He Bragged About Murdering Rapper On Highway appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Just a couple of years ago, she wore a Sam Hyde shirt, which didn’t exactly slow those narratives down. Meanwhile, there is the infamous N.O.R.E. tweet in which he is exasperated at Doja Cat hanging out in “racial chatrooms” while “showing feet.”

Recently, Doja Cat took to her TikTok page, where she issued an eight-minute video, responding to some of these narratives. It was here that she revealed how back in the day, she was ashamed of who she was and suffered from self-hate. She even recalls admitting to it out loud.

“It was very obvious that I did. I would even verbalize that out loud when I was maybe 16,” Doja Cat said.

Read More: How Hip-Hop Media Is Dividing Over The Lil Durk Trial

Doja Cat Speaks To Her Fans

Subsequently, Doja Cat spoke about her struggles for acceptance and not being around other black kids. However, she stated that she is doing much better now and has learned to love herself. For instance, she spoke about how she loves how her hair looks and feels, which was a huge step in breaking the cycle of self-hate.

“I have learned as I’m getting older, I’m really enjoying the way my hair looks and feels,” she revealed.

Elsewhere in the video, Doja Cat expresses her issues with cocaine use, which only exacerbated some of what she was going through.

She ends the video by letting her fans know that she is not a racist, and that she is most definitely not a Nazi.

Read More: Who Is Trim? Charleston’s New Rap Wild Card

The post Doja Cat Admits To Cocaine Use And Addresses Self-Hatred Allegations appeared first on HotNewHipHop.