These Nike ads ran from 1988 through the early 2000s, creating catchphrases that entered the cultural lexicon and moments that still get referenced decades later. The chemistry between Lee’s energy and Jordan’s cool demeanor made every commercial feel authentic rather than scripted.

From the original that launched the partnership to the emotional farewell that closed it, these five commercials showcase why Mars and MJ became advertising legends. Here’s our ranking of the top five Mars Blackmon commercials:

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Toro Bravo” 2026 Retro First Look

5. “Retirement”

Coming in at number five is the “Retirement” commercial that serves as a touching farewell between Mars and MJ. Mars calls Michael Jordan on the phone to confirm if the retirement rumors are actually true this time.

The desperation in Mars’s voice as he grills Jordan with rapid-fire questions perfectly captures fan emotions during Jordan’s final exit. “Is this really it? You going to retire? Wanna quit? Is it true?” Mars asks with increasing panic in his delivery.

He even makes Jordan swear by saying, “Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye?” to which MJ calmly replies “Yes, Mars.” The callback humor comes when Mars asks what Jordan will do next, mentioning golf then quickly adding “no baseball though?” referencing MJ’s mid-90s hiatus.

This 2003 spot marked the first time Spike Lee reprised Mars Blackmon in years, bringing the relationship full circle. The commercial promoted the Air Jordan 18, the final signature shoe Jordan wore during his playing career.

It ends with the heartfelt tagline “Goodbye and thanks, Michael” as the screen fades to black. This spot successfully transitioned the Jordan Brand from active player to legacy brand.

4. “Bad Dream”

The “Bad Dream” commercial lands at number four with its brilliant meta-commentary on Jordan’s baseball retirement. Mars wakes up in a panic after experiencing what he calls a nightmare. In his dream, Michael Jordan had actually retired from basketball to play baseball for the Birmingham Barons.

The horror on Mars’s face as he recounts the surreal details is genuinely hilarious and relatable to fans. He describes Jordan struggling with “vicious Double-A curveballs” and his own room being filled with Barons gear instead of Bulls memorabilia.

What makes this commercial genius is how it addresses the elephant in the room during Jordan’s real 18-month hiatus. Nike cleverly framed MJ’s baseball career as a bad dream for his biggest fan, acknowledging how weird the situation was.

The spot promoted the Air Jordan 10 while Jordan was actually away from basketball, which added another layer of surrealism. This aired right before Jordan’s legendary “I’m Back” fax in March 1995, making it perfectly timed.

3. “It’s Easy to Cover Mars Blackmon”

Taking 3rd is “It’s Easy to Cover Mars Blackmon,” which features one of the most memorable exchanges in the series. Mars repeatedly chants “Nobody, nobody, nobody can guard Michael Jordan” with increasing intensity and enthusiasm throughout the spot.

His repetition perfectly captures the devotion Mars has for MJ’s untouchable skills on the court. Just when you think Mars might never stop, Jordan calmly places his hand over Mars’s mouth to silence him. MJ’s deadpan delivery of “But it’s easy to cover Mars Blackmon” is the perfect comedic payoff to Mars’s hype-man routine.

The contrast between Mars’s energy and Jordan’s cool and collected response makes the joke land even harder. This commercial brilliantly establishes the power dynamic between the two characters, with Jordan always having the last word.

Mars’s willingness to talk himself into the punchline shows why these commercials worked so well together for years. The simplicity of the setup and execution proves you don’t need elaborate concepts when the chemistry is this good.

2. “Hang Time”

The 2nd place goes to “Hang Time,” which is actually the very first Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan commercial that started it all. This February 1988 ad introduced the Air Jordan 3 and established the comedic formula that would define the partnership for years.

Mars hangs from the basketball rim, bragging about his own “serious hang time” and athletic abilities with his usual confidence. He claims he’s “way above the rim,” showing off what he thinks are his incredible skills on display.

The camera then zooms out to reveal the perfect punchline: Michael Jordan is simply holding Mars up by his waist the entire time. After Mars repeatedly credits his abilities to the shoes, yelling “Air Jordan, Air Jordan, Air Jordan,” MJ casually walks away to go play.

This leaves Mars literally hanging from the rim by himself, desperately yelling, “Mike, why you wanna do that to me? Why you leave me hanging?” The visual gag is simple but absolutely perfect, capturing their entire dynamic in one moment.

1. “It’s Gotta Be the Shoes”

Taking the top spot is the original and still the best: “It’s Gotta Be the Shoes.” This is the commercial that started it all and created an iconic catchphrase that still gets referenced today.

Mars’s desperate insistence that Jordan’s abilities must come from his sneakers is the perfect encapsulation of the character. The back-and-forth between Mars and MJ feels genuine, with Jordan’s exasperation at Mars’s logic coming through perfectly.

This commercial works because it acknowledges what everyone secretly wondered while making fun of that magical thinking simultaneously. The phrase “It’s gotta be the shoes” entered the cultural lexicon and stayed there for decades after.

Spike Lee’s delivery of the line with increasing desperation as Jordan denies it is comedic gold every time. The simplicity of the concept is what makes it so effective compared to more elaborate commercials later.

This spot launched one of the most successful advertising partnerships in sports marketing history, period. The “It’s Gotta Be the Shoes” commercial remains the gold standard for athlete endorsements to this day.

Read More: Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” Receives Release Date

The post Ranking The Best Mars Blackmon Air Jordan Commercials appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

@Ovrnundr reports that the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Sesame” is releasing in the spring of 2026.

Sesame leather covers the entire upper in a warm neutral tone. It’s a departure from the bold colors Off-White usually goes with. The monochromatic approach lets the signature details shine through instead.

That metallic silver Swoosh with black stitching remains the focal point. The zipper-like stitching pattern wraps around the logo as always. It’s become one of the most recognizable elements in sneaker culture.

Text branding appears throughout the shoe in Off-White’s typical style. “AIR” is printed on the midsole in black quotation marks. “VIRGIL ABLOH” and “Beaverton” text runs across the lateral side. The year “c. 1982” references the Air Force 1’s original release date.

An orange tab sits on the lateral collar as a signature accent. Matching sesame laces and midsole keep the tonal aesthetic consistent. Exposed foam on the tongue adds that deconstructed Off-White touch.

Virgil’s collaborations with Nike remain some of the most sought-after releases. Each drop sells out instantly regardless of colorway. The “Sesame” will likely be no different when it hits retailers.

Read More: Zach Rumbaugh Signs Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” At Nike Store

Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Sesame” Price

The Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Sesame” goes full tonal with warm sesame leather covering the entire upper and overlays. That signature metallic silver Swoosh with black zigzag stitching stands out against the neutral base as the main visual element.

Text branding appears in black across the lateral side reading “VIRGIL ABLOH” and “Beaverton” with “c. 1982” marking the AF1’s birth year. The orange tab on the lateral collar adds the only real pop of color.

Matching sesame laces run through the eyelets, while the midsole stays in the same shade with “AIR” printed in quotation marks. Exposed foam peeks through the tongue area in that classic deconstructed Off-White style.

Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $150 when they drop.

Read More: Air Jordan 6 “Salesman” Infrared Unboxing Video Surfaces Online

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Zach designed this shoe after surviving sudden cardiac arrest caused by CPVT. He spent 38 days recovering at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. That number 38 shows up throughout the entire design as a tribute.

This marks the first Doernbecher Air Jordan 17 in the program’s history. Zach took a completely different approach than past designers. Instead of nostalgia, he went with mechanical luxury and automotive-inspired elements.

Carbon fiber and metallic finishes dominate the construction. Structured paneling makes it look more like a concept car than basketball footwear. The design also nods to Michael Jordan’s well-known love for motorsports.

Seeing Zach at the Nike Employee Store signing his creation feels full circle. He’s gone from hospital patient to sneaker designer in a remarkable journey. His story adds weight to every pair that goes out the door.

The shoe officially released on January 17th, 2026, yesterday. Proceeds benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and their pediatric care programs. This might be one of the most meaningful Doernbecher releases yet.

Zach’s presence at the signing shows how personal this project is. His signature on these pairs will make them even more collectible.

Read More: Air Jordan 6 “Salesman” Infrared Unboxing Video Surfaces Online

Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher”

The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” by Zach Rumbaugh goes heavy on automotive inspiration with carbon fiber overlays and metallic finishes across the upper. The structured paneling gives it that concept car aesthetic with sharp lines and mechanical details throughout.

Metallic silver and grey tones dominate the color palette, while pops of red accent specific areas of the design. The number 38 appears in multiple locations as a tribute to Zach’s 38-day hospital recovery.

The shoe features that classic Jordan 17 silhouette but reimagined with futuristic elements that feel more luxury vehicle than basketball court. Personal symbols are woven into the design, turning the sneaker into a visual story.

Read More: Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Cool Grey” Coming This Spring

The post Zach Rumbaugh Signs Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” At Nike Store appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Specifically, she was ranting about the mother of her grandson, Marissa Da’Nae, and the mother of her granddaughter, Mariah. As caught by Livebitez on Instagram, she accused him of blocking him from seeing his son with false abandonment claims just because he allegedly wouldn’t marry her.

“How the f**k he gon’ call his motherf***ing kids when y’all b***hes got him on motherf***ing block?” Potts ranted. “Y’all blocked me, y’all blocked my mama… My mama love y’all, and this is how you treat her? Really? […] I already knew what type of manipulative-a** h*es that y’all are. You want to hop on the Internet to say Chozen don’t see his dad. Why? Because you don’t allow him to see him. You don’t want him to see him… Because he didn’t want to marry you… You’re f***ing crazy. You’re a Looney Tune. That’s why.”

Read More: T.I. Previews Final Album “Kill The King” With New Pharrell-Produced Single

When Did NLE Choppa Diss NBA YoungBoy?

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In addition, Potts had praise for NLE Choppa’s rival NBA YoungBoy and said they don’t have any real problems with him. However, she dropped a bombshell allegation. NLE’s mom claimed that YB slept with one of the two mothers of his children.

“YB a good artist, we ain’t got s**t against YB,” she remarked. “He may have some issues, but he a good artist. But y’all want to play on the motherf***ing Internet… Y’all want to put YB in this… But everybody know you h*es f***ed with them folks. You did that. You think we don’t know? […] Everybody know that s**t. You know it. And you talking about, ‘I’m finna go sue you for X, Y, Z. He spend more time thinking about YB.‘ No, b***h. Everybody know what the f**k you got going on, h*e. […] Y’all b***hes done went too far. Both of y’all done went too f***ing far. This man did everything for y’all. And y’all trying to bury him and end his career on some bulls**t?”

For those unaware, NLE Choppa dissed NBA YoungBoy towards the end of last year after years of tension and comparisons. It’s unclear how Potts’ allegations tie into that situation, but it’s definitely messy.

Read More: A$AP Rocky “Don’t Be Dumb” Credits: Every Producer And Feature

The post NLE Choppa’s Mom Claims NBA YoungBoy Slept With His Child’s Mother appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Rain Drops Media caught a clip of the New Jersey artist performing his hits “Trap Queen” and “My Way” at an East Coast club, with fans in attendance singing along to his iconic choruses. He seemed quite energized and his vocals don’t sound bad at all for someone out of practice for a while.

Read More: Fetty Wap & Masika Kalysha’s Relationship Timeline

How Long Was Fetty Wap In Prison For?

As such, this has generated a lot of interest in Fetty Wap’s upcoming music, although he might not go in a direction that some fans might expect. He recently told The Breakfast Club that he doesn’t want to make music about his time in prison.

“Honestly, I don’t feel like that’s important,” Fetty remarked. “I did my time. It’s a lot of rappers that went to jail – I mean, I hate to say it like that – that came home. If they chose to talk about their jail s**t, that’s them. Me, I did my time with the guys and then, they all, ‘Leave this s**t behind you. When you walk out, leave it here. We trying to see you on TV.’ In jail, it’s three things that you don’t turn the TV [off] from: sports, news, Love & Hip Hop.”

“‘We want to see you on TV, we trying to hear you on the radio. In 20 days, I want to hear something new on the computer,'” he continued. “That’s the type of motivation I was having. So to come home and to talk about that s**t, it’s pointless. I did my time in there. […] [My writing] will change, I guess. It’s always going to change, especially when you’re trying to be creative. I just feel like I appreciate music more.

Fetty Wap was in prison for three years for drug trafficking before his release. He thanked artists like 50 Cent, Coi Leray, and Chief Keef for supporting him while he did his time.

Read More: A$AP Rocky “Don’t Be Dumb” Credits: Every Producer And Feature

The post Fetty Wap Performs For The First Time Since Prison Release appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“I LOVE U STEVE , U STILL CHANGING MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER A WHOLE DECADE LATER , HAPPY YAMS DAY! #LONGLIVEYAMS,” he wrote today (Sunday, January 18). Also, the Harlem creative announced a special livestream to celebrate Yams Day, accessible via Twitch, Amazon Music, and Amazon Prime at 9PM EST today.

Rocky’s social media activity also included reposts from his AWGE brand, other social media pages, and close colleagues. It’s bittersweet to see folks share the pain of Yams’ passing while also celebrating the indelible legacy he left behind.

It also comes at a busy time for A$AP Rocky, who just dropped his new album Don’t Be Dumb after nearly eight years of teasing it since his last project, 2018’s TESTING. But there is always time to honor those who are no longer by your side.

Read More: Ari Fletcher Posts Cryptic Message Amid Lil Baby & Jayda Cheaves Drama

How Did A$AP Rocky & A$AP Yams Meet?

For those unaware, A$AP Rocky and A$AP Yams met through mutual friends around 2008 in Harlem, back when the former was starting to take rapping a little more seriously. Yams’ guidance, hip-hop knowledge, direction, and industry experience as a Diplomat Records intern helped shape the early phase of Rocky’s career. Eventually, he and the rest of the A$AP Mob blew up, and the rest was history.

Sadly, A$AP Yams passed away in 2015 due to complications from an accidental overdose. In the years following, the A$AP Mob came together to celebrate his life via several “Yams Day” events and concerts.

Even with the success surrounding Don’t Be Dumb right now and everything else the A$AP Mob members have going on, it must be a difficult time for them, and especially for Yams’ family. While things are no longer the same, his spirit and presence continues to resonate today and yield bountiful results for his close circle of loved ones, and even those like fans who never met him.

Read More: Blueface Thinks His “Favorite Ex” Coi Leray Won’t Last Long With Justin Laboy

The post A$AP Rocky Pays Tribute To A$AP Yams 11 Years After His Passing appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

zsneakerheadz reports that the Air Jordan 6 “Reverse Infrared” will be released on February 14th, 2026.

It’s inspired by the iconic 2000 “Reverse Infrared” sample that few have ever seen. The design mirrors Michael Jordan’s actual game-worn pairs from 1991. That connection to MJ’s playing days makes it incredibly significant.

These aren’t just another retro colorway dreamed up in a design lab. Black nubuck covers the entire upper from toe to collar. Infrared accents hit the midsole and heel tab with that classic pop.

The color blocking flips the traditional “Infrared” 6 arrangement. Instead of white as the base, black takes over completely. The hangtag reads “TAE HAPIMA” with various details about the shoe.

It confirms the connection to Jordan’s game-worn history from the early ’90s. Sample tags like this add legitimacy to the story behind the design. Jordan Brand has been diving deep into their archives lately. Bringing back samples and PE colorways that never saw retail releases.

The “Salesman” name likely refers to its sample status back in 2000. Whether this ever releases to the public remains unclear. Sample unboxings don’t always mean a retail drop is coming. But seeing it in physical form at least proves it exists.

Read More: Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Cool Grey” Coming This Spring

Air Jordan 6 Infrared “Salesman”

The Air Jordan 6 “Salesman” goes almost entirely black with nubuck leather covering the upper and overlays throughout. Infrared red shows up on the midsole’s visible Air unit and wraps around the heel spoiler for contrast.

The tongue features black fabric with perforations, while black laces keep everything tonal up top. A white section appears on the midsole between the black and infrared portions, creating that classic Jordan 6 layered look.

The hangtag attached reads “TAE HAPIMA” with details about the shoe’s inspiration from MJ’s 1991 game-worn pairs. The translucent grey outsole underneath finishes the look with that icy tint.

Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $215 when they release.

Read More: Air Jordan 10 “Sacramento” Release Date Set

The post Air Jordan 6 “Salesman” Infrared Unboxing Video Surfaces Online appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

We know it’s around this 2016-ish period because of both MCs, haircuts, with Durk appearing without his dreads and the Atlanta rapper rocking his red braids. There isn’t much other context to why Lil Yachty decided to post this now… That is, other than some significant developments in Lil Durk’s current murder-for-hire trial.

Most recently, authorities reportedly removed him from solitary confinement after five months. The reasoning behind this solitary confinement is that authorities reportedly caught The Voice with an Apple Watch while behind bars awaiting trial. Regardless of those circumstances, his wider case got some very important reveals as of late.

Read More: Ari Fletcher Posts Cryptic Message Amid Lil Baby & Jayda Cheaves Drama

When Is Lil Durk’s Trial?

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Namely, we now know when Lil Durk’s trial will begin. Following various delay processes that pushed the trial back from this January, it seems like the court settled on an April 21 start date this year. The judge in this case previously noted how the matter’s complexity, proposed evidence batches, and its number of codefendants made it impossible for both sides to fairly prepare for the trial in January under the United States justice system.

Some fans are happy about this confirmation, others point to other issues between prosecutors and the defense team, and most of them are just holding their breaths and waiting for the outcome.

As for the other rapper in this picture with Durk, Lil Yachty’s 2025 run was quite light. Not that it had to be gargantuan, of course. After all, his slew of steady singles and collaborations have kept fans very satisfied up to this point. We’ll see if an album hits us in 2026 or if more unexpected ventures are in the cards.

Read More: A$AP Rocky “Don’t Be Dumb” Credits: Every Producer And Feature

The post Lil Yachty Calls For Lil Durk’s Freedom Amid Recent Case Developments appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: January 18, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Kill The King

Quotable Lyrics from Let Em Know

Big dog, all we get is bread, I ain’t never scared,
Big flex on a n***a head, what I’m standing on?
Business, big check, we done did that,
Pushing whips back, better give me respect and some more

The post Let Em Know – Song by T.I. appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nice Kicks reports that the Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Cool Grey” will be released in the spring of 2026.

Cool grey covers the entire shoe from top to bottom. Snake-textured leather wraps the upper, nodding to Kobe’s “Black Mamba” nickname. The tonal execution keeps everything sleek and sophisticated. Even the laces and midsole stay in the same grey family.

Look closer and the details reveal the tribute. The number “8” appears on the left heel. The number “24” sits on the right heel. These represent Kobe’s two jersey numbers throughout his career. It’s a subtle but powerful way to honor his Lakers journey. “FOREVER” is debossed on the tongue’s metal lace dubrae.

The message speaks to Kobe’s lasting impact on basketball and culture. His influence continues long after his tragic passing in 2020.

Nike has released several Kobe tributes over the years. But collaborations between his legacy and the Air Force 1 remain rare. This makes each one feel more significant when it happens.

Read More: Air Jordan 10 “Sacramento” Release Date Set

Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Cool Grey”

The Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Cool Grey” goes full tonal with snake-textured grey leather covering the entire upper. It gives that Black Mamba feel without being too obvious about it.

The Swoosh blends into the side panels in the same grey shade. Matching grey laces and a grey midsole keep everything cohesive throughout.

The heel tabs show embossed numbers with “8” on the left shoe and “24” on the right. These represent both of Kobe’s Lakers jersey numbers throughout his career. A metal lace dubrae on the tongue reads “FOREVER” as a tribute.

Even the outsole stays grey to complete the monochromatic look from top to bottom. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $120 when released.

Read More: Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 1 “Reverse Mocha” Surfaces In New Photos

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