HotNewHipHop https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ The Latest Hip Hop News, Songs, Rap Albums & Music, Gossip & Entertainment News, Sneaker Releases, Sports News, TV & Movies, Interviews, Culture & more Mon, 04 May 2026 12:01:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 The Air Jordan 3 “BIN 23” Just Got Official Images And A New Release Date https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993508-air-jordan-3-prm-bin-23-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 12:01:23 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993508 The Air Jordan 3 "BIN 23" has shifted to a slightly later release date, with official Nike images showing the premium leather build.

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The Air Jordan 3 “BIN 23” just got official images and the release date shifted slightly. The drop is now set for June 13th, 2026, a few days later than the June 9th date that had been circulating according to zSneakerHeadz. Mark the calendar accordingly.

The official Nike images confirm that the early mock-ups were nearly accurate. The real thing lives up to what people were hoping for and maybe even more so. The materials look exceptional in the official shots.

Jordan Brand combined leather and suede across the upper, adding metallic gold hardware and vintage pre-yellowed midsoles. Then they went further. The leather liners, waxed shoelaces, and suede treatment on the Nike Air heel tab push this well past standard retro territory.

The shoe comes in a woodgrain-printed box alongside dust bags and wooden shoe trees. The whole package feels like it belongs in a display case, not just a closet.

Only 2,300 individually numbered pairs will be made. Retail is $355 which just goes to show the premium efforts put into this sneaker.

After the Air Jordan 3, an Air Jordan 8 BIN 23 drops in July, followed by an Air Jordan 4 BIN 23 to close out the year in December. The Bin 23 revival seems to be just getting started.

Read More: Tatum Brought His Car To The Court In His Playoff Jordan Tatum 4 PE

Air Jordan 3 PRM “BIN 23”

The Air Jordan 3 “BIN 23” blends Team Red, Burgundy Crush, Coconut Milk, and Metallic Gold across a premium material mix of leather, suede, and nubuck. The elephant print appears on the toe and heel in a matching burgundy tone instead of the classic grey which is a subtle but significant change.

Also gold eyelets and a gold-painted heel clip add the luxury accents. A wax seal stamp sits on the tongue, the Bin 23 signature detail. The coconnut milk midsole gives it a vintage feel straight out the box.

The red wax seal, the woodgrain box, the shoe trees… every layer of this package communicates the same thing: overall this one is built different.

Read More: Steve Stoute Sits Down With Boardroom And Doesn’t Hold Back On Nike’s Problems

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Lil Baby Pledges His Allegiance To Drake And Gets Clowned In The Process https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993501-lil-baby-drake-iceman-pledges-allegiance Mon, 04 May 2026 11:36:51 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993501 Drake is going to be dropping "ICEMAN" next week, and Lil Baby is out here pledging his allegiance to his frequent collaborator.

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Lil Baby has had an interesting start to 2026. He is coming off the momentum from The Leaks, which some fans felt was a return to form. In the same breath, some still feel as though the artist has hit a period of stagnation in which his music has failed to evolve with the times.

However, you may feel about his music, it remains clear that Baby is one of the biggest artists in rap right now. A Lil Baby feature still goes a long way for up-and-coming artists. Furthermore, his past work is proof that he can still drop a fire verse if he really hunkers down and puts his mind to it.

With Drake’s ICEMAN on the way, there has been speculation about who would be featured on the album. After all, Drizzy lost a lot of friends during the beef with Kendrick Lamar. Former friends who likely won’t make it onto his new album.

Lil Baby, on the other hand, has stayed loyal throughout the process. In fact, over the weekend, the artist took to Instagram with a photo of himself standing in front of a door adorned with Drake’s face. Baby captioned the image: “I Already Picked My Side.”

Read More: Trap Dickey Talks Upcoming Album โ€œThe Ville,โ€ Teases TDE Compilation Project & Lil Wayne Vs. Jay-Z

Lil Baby Takes Drake’s Side

This declaration immediately went viral on social media, and for good reason. After all, the idea of Lil Baby owning a door covered with Drake’s face is pretty funny. Fans agreed with this assessment and subsequently began to clown the artist for his audaciousness.

Additionally, there was a sense that Baby might be positioning himself for some sort of collaboration or feature on ICEMAN. Drake is wrapping up the album, and there is always room for some last-minute features.

Social Media Weighs In

Below, you can find some of the funniest reactions to the post. There are quite a few Drake fans who are warning the Canadian mega star to keep Baby off the album. Clearly, they want something other than the usual cast of features.

On May 15, we will have a better idea of whether or not Baby’s declaration led to an appearance on ICEMAN.

Read More: โ€œViewsโ€ Was The Moment Drake Stopped Trying To Be The Greatest Rapper Alive

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Steve Stoute Sits Down With Boardroom And Doesn’t Hold Back On Nike’s Problems https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993502-steve-stoute-on-what-happened-to-nike-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 11:30:39 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993502 Steve Stoute joined the Boardroom Talks podcast to discuss Nike's mounting challenges and what made them so great.

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Steve Stoute sat down with Rich Kleiman on Boardroom Talks and gave a straight, unfiltered take on what’s happening with Nike right now.

His core argument is simple: Nike lost an entire generation. Not because they made bad shoes but because they made decisions that caused younger consumers to skip them entirely. A 19-year-old today never built the same emotional bond with Nike that older generations did. That window closed and once it closes, it’s hard to reopen.

Stoute pointed to the old landscape when it was basically Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, and that was it. Kids grew up with those three brands as the only real options. That built loyalty by default but today it’s different.

Adidas has dominated the top spot among young people with the Samba and Campus becoming status sneakers among teens. New brands keep entering. Options are everywhere and Nike hasn’t done enough to stay at the center of what’s cool to theyounger buyers.

Nike has been facing a perceived disconnect with younger consumers for a while now. Stoute is just saying out loud what a lot of people in the industry already know.

The bigger question now is whether Nike’s new leadership can actually solve a cultural problem not just a product one. Stoute doesn’t seem convinced they have yet.

Read More: Tatum Brought His Car To The Court In His Playoff Jordan Tatum 4 PE

Steve Stoute On What Happened To Nike

Steve Stoute isn’t some outside observer guessing at what went wrong. He’s one of the sharpest brand minds in the business.

He founded Translation in 2004, a marketing agency built specifically around connecting brands with culture and he’s been doing exactly that for over two decades. He also co-founded Ill Will Records with Nas in 1999 and later built UnitedMasters in 2017, a music distribution platform that put artist independence at the center of the model.

Stoute has spent his entire career at the exact intersection where culture, music, and consumer behavior meet. So when Stoute says Nike missed a generation, it’s a statment from someone who has watched how culture moves and how brands catch it.

Read More: Aaron Judge’s New Air Jordan 1 Low PE Is Dedicated To His Two Dogs

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Heavy Burden – Song by 38 Spesh featuring Dave East https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993494-heavy-burden-38-spesh-dave-east Mon, 04 May 2026 11:09:43 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993494 38 Spesh has been consistent with his releases as of late, and on Friday, he teamed up with Dave East for "Heavy Burden."

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38 Spesh is another New York artist who has great pride for the East Coast. His gritty style has dazzled fans, and there is no doubt that he is constantly upping his game and improving his craft. It also helps that his releases have been consistent over the years. On Friday, he kept his momentum going with the song “Heavy Burden,” featuring Dave East. This is a song with some heavy-hitting production, which is receiving praise from fans on YouTube. Meanwhile, East and Spesh showcase their chemistry, and deliver some dope bars in the process.

Release Date: May 1, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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For The Gig – Song by DJ Premier & The Alchemist https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993491-for-the-gig-dj-premier-the-alchemist Mon, 04 May 2026 11:00:49 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993491 DJ Premier and The Alchemist have been on tour together, and this has led to their latest collaboration, "For The Gig."

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DJ Premier and The Alchemist are two of the most legendary producers in all of hip-hop. Overall, they have produced some of the biggest hits the genre has ever seen. Their reputations continue to thrive, and recently, they have been on tour together. Unsurprisingly, some music was made during this tour, and on Monday, the two decided to release it. Below is the new track “For The Gig,” which was performed during the tour’s later stages. It comes complete with some exciting, retro production from DJ Premier, who continues to sound fresh after all these years. Furthermore, it comes with some solid bars from The Alchemist, who offers up a mission statement on behalf of himself and Preem.

Release Date: May 4, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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Tatum Brought His Car To The Court In His Playoff Jordan Tatum 4 PE https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993486-jayson-tatum-jordan-tatum-4-pe-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 03:21:00 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993486 Jayson Tatum debuted a Jordan Tatum 4 PE inspired by his custom 1966 Ford Mustang to open the NBA Playoffs.

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Jayson Tatum has been bringing his 1966 Ford Mustang obsession to his sneakers for years. The Jordan Tatum 4 PE he wore to open the playoffs is the latest chapter in that story.

Tatum debuted the Jordan Tatum 4 PE in Game 1, pulling direct inspiration from his custom 1966 Ford Mustang. The concept is one of the most consistent personal threads in modern athlete PE culture. Every season, Jordan Brand finds a new way to bring the car into the shoe.

This version leans into glossy black patent leather across the upper. Chrome detailing runs throughout, mirroring the car’s trim. The ankle badge features a Mustang-style emblem with “Jayson Tatum” circling the outside, the same kind of steering wheel detail you’d find inside the actual ’66. It’s a locked-in design language.

In past years, Jordan Brand built Mustang-themed PEs around the Air Jordan 14, Air Jordan 36, and Air Jordan 37. Each one added something new. The Tatum 4 version is the first time the concept lives on his own signature shoe. That makes this one feel different.

The detail that stands out most is the ankle badge. A tri-color Jumpman sits inside a chrome ring, with “Jayson Tatum” stamped around the edge in the same style as a Mustang wheel cap. It’s subtle but it’s perfect.

Read More: Ranking Every Air Jordan Michael Jordan Wore During The Finals

Jayson Tatum Jordan Tatum 4 PE

The Jordan Tatum 4 Mustang PE runs almost entirely in black. Glossy patent leather covers the toe box and overlays throughout the upper, giving it the same high-shine finish that defined Tatum’s earlier Mustang-themed Jordan 14 PEs.

Chrome piping traces the edges, connecting the panels the same way chrome trim runs along the body of a ’66 Mustang fastback. The ankle badge is the centerpiece, a circular chrome medallion with a tricolor Jumpman inside and “Jayson Tatum” embossed around the ring.

Also a grey translucent outsole sits below. “Deuce,” Tatum’s son’s nickname, is stitched into the shoe as well, making it genuinely personal on multiple levels.

Read More: LeBron Laces Up One Of The Rarest Air Force 1s Ever Made For Tunnel Walk

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Aaron Judge’s New Air Jordan 1 Low PE Is Dedicated To His Two Dogs https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993482-aaron-judge-air-jordan-1-low-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 02:47:00 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993482 Aaron Judge debuted a custom Air Jordan 1 Low PE featuring fur and an embroidered logo honoring his two dogs, Penny and Gus.

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Aaron Judge just showed up to the field in a pair of Air Jordan 1 Lows that nobody saw coming. And once you find out the story behind them, it gets even better.

The shoes feature faux fur paneling and an embroidered logo of Judge’s two dachshunds Penny and Gus. That’s the whole concept, a PE built around his dogs. It’s one of the more personal athlete customs we’ve seen in a while.

Judge has been with Jordan Brand for years now, and the brand has consistently come through with creative PE colorways for him. But this one hits different. It’s not about a championship or a milestone. It’s just about two dogs who clearly mean a lot to him.

The fur texture gives the shoe an earthy, warm feel. Combined with the cream and brown tones, it reads almost like a literal tribute to Penny and Gus’s colors. The embroidered dachshund logo on the heel pulls the whole concept together cleanly.

Athlete PEs have gotten increasingly personal over the past few years. This one is a good example of why that trend works. When the story behind the shoe is real, the shoe feels real too. Judge didn’t need a flashy colorway to make this one stand out.

Sometimes a couple of dogs on the heel is enough to make the whole sneaker world stop.

Read More: A Rare Air Jordan 11 Sample Made For Tinker Hatfield Surfaced On His Birthday

Aaron Judge’s Air Jordan 1 Low

The Aaron Judge Air Jordan 1 Low PE builds on a white leather base with faux fur panels covering the heel and portions of the mudguard. The fur lands in two tones: a darker brown on one side and a lighter dusty rose on the other, mimicking the actual coloring of his dachshunds, Penny and Gus.

A burnt orange Swoosh sits above the fur panels, giving the shoe its sharpest contrast point. The dachshund silhouette logo is embroidered directly onto the heel panel in white.

An off-white midsole and a cream outsole finish the shoe off underneath, keeping the whole palette warm and cohesive throughout.

Read More: LeBron Laces Up One Of The Rarest Air Force 1s Ever Made For Tunnel Walk

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A Rare Air Jordan 11 Sample Made For Tinker Hatfield Surfaced On His Birthday https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993478-air-jordan-11-tinker-hatfield-sample-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 02:10:00 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993478 A 2013 Air Jordan 11 sample made to honor Tinker Hatfield has surfaced for sale, featuring his name on the tongue and his original sketches.

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One of the rarest Air Jordan 11s ever made just resurfaced and the timing was perfect. Grail collector and reseller @pgknows shared his latest pickup on Tinker Hatfield’s birthday: a rare Air Jordan 11 sample with special Tinker Hatfield branding throughout.

The source states these were made in 2013, either for Tinker’s birthday or his anniversary at Jordan Brand. Either way, the story behind this pair is as good as the shoe itself.

“Tinker Hatfield” replaces “Jumpman Jordan” on the tongue label. The backtab reads “TH” instead of “23.” The insoles feature a collage of Tinker’s original Air Jordan 11 sketches. That last detail alone makes this one of the most personal sneakers Jordan Brand has ever produced.

The pair features a purple-tinted metallic patent leather overlay that matches the metallic Jumpman used on the collar. The rest of the upper uses clean, buttery leather. It’s a sample that looks better in person than any mock-up could suggest.

These never have and never will release to the public. That’s not a rumor it’s just the reality of what this shoe is. It exists for one reason: to honor the man who designed the silhouette in the first place.

@pgknows is selling his deadstock size 9 for what will certainly be a serious number. Some things can’t be replicated.

Read More: Ranking Every Air Jordan Michael Jordan Wore During The Finals

Air Jordan 11 “Tinker Hatfield” Sample

The Air Jordan 11 Tinker Hatfield Sample features a purple-tinted metallic patent leather mudguard that shifts depending on lighting conditions. The full leather upper replaces the traditional mesh build, giving it a softer and more premium feel overall.

Gray laces and a tonal Jumpman logo on the collar keep the upper restrained. A white midsole and icy blue outsole cap off the pair underfoot. Inside, Tinker’s original sketches including early sports car references that informed the 11’s design language cover the insole.

Seeing a pair of Jordan 11s from 2013 in deadstock condition makes it even more remarkable. This is one of the purest collector pieces in sneaker history.

Read More: Georgetown’s Air Jordan 14 PE Just Dropped And It’s One Of The Best Yet

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LeBron Laces Up One Of The Rarest Air Force 1s Ever Made For Tunnel Walk https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993474-off-white-x-nike-air-force-1-low-moma-sneaker-news Mon, 04 May 2026 01:37:14 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993474 LeBron James wore the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low "MoMA" during his playoff tunnel walk ahead of a first-round closeout game.

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LeBron James just walked into the arena wearing one of the most sought-after sneakers Virgil Abloh ever created. The Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “MoMA” is not something you just stumble into. This was an intentional flex.

The shoe released exclusively in-store at the MoMA Design Store in New York City on January 27, 2018. That’s it. One location. One morning. Each pair came with custom socks and complimentary admission to MoMA. If you weren’t there, you missed it.

The shoe was created to celebrate MoMA’s “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibition. Virgil didn’t just design a sneaker for a museum. He designed a sneaker that became the exhibit. The cultural weight behind this pair is real.

LeBron paired it with a Louis Vuitton monogram jacket and black trousers walking into Game 7 of the first round. The fit was locked. The shoe was the statement.

On resale, the pair has fetched anywhere from $2,500 to over $26,000 depending on condition and whether socks are included. LeBron wearing them in a playoff tunnel moment only adds to that story.

The “MoMA” pair is a one-time thing. Every time it appears on someone’s feet at this level, it means something. LeBron knew exactly what he was doing.

Read More: Georgetown’s Air Jordan 14 PE Just Dropped And It’s One Of The Best Yet

LeBron Wears Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “MoMA”

The Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low “MoMA” features a black leather upper with a large metallic silver Swoosh, an orange tab, and a translucent zip tie. Helvetica text lands on the medial quarter panel, and “AIR” hits the lateral midsole in white.

The chunky foam tongue and white laces with “SHOELACES” branding round out the classic Virgil details. It’s a blacked-out shoe with just enough contrast to keep it sharp. The design first appeared at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2016, more than a year before it ever hit shelves.

Overall that kind of lead time built anticipation that the release more than lived up to.

Read More: The Air Jordan 17 Low “Black Patent” Just Got A Release Date And In-Hand Images

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Ranking Every Air Jordan Michael Jordan Wore During The Finals https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/993044-michael-jordan-air-jordan-sneakers-nba-finals-ranked Mon, 04 May 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/?p=993044 Every Air Jordan colorway Michael Jordan wore across his six NBA Finals, ranked from the "Last Shot" 14 to the first championship 6.

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Michael Jordan appeared in six NBA Finals between 1991 and 1998 and won all six. Across those six series, he wore eight different colorways, sometimes switching mid-series depending on home or road games.

The shoes he wore during those runs are among the most historically significant in Jordan Brand history. Not because of their design alone, but because of the moments attached to them. From the first championship in 1991 to the last shot in 1998, here is every Air Jordan Michael Jordan wore during the Finals, ranked.

Read More: Every Air Jordan Dropping In May 2026

8. Air Jordan 14 “Last Shot”

Michael Jordan
Image via GOAT

The Air Jordan 14 “Last Shot” gets its name from one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan hit a pull-up jumper over Bryon Russell with 5.2 seconds remaining to give the Bulls an 87-86 lead.

They held on to win. It was Jordan’s sixth and final championship as a Chicago Bull. The shoe he was wearing when he hit that shot was a prototype of the Air Jordan 14, a silhouette that had not yet officially been released to the public.

The design was inspired by Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello, with a low-profile shape and a distinctive shield-shaped Jumpman badge on the lateral side.

The black upper with varsity red midsole accents tied it directly to the Bulls colorway. It is one of the most historically significant shoes in the entire Jordan catalog.

7. Air Jordan 13 “Bred”

Michael Jordan
Image via GOAT

The Air Jordan 13 “Bred” was the shoe Michael Jordan wore through the majority of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. That series was the centerpiece of the Last Dance, the final championship run of Jordan’s Bulls era.

He averaged 33.5 points per game throughout the series and won his sixth Finals MVP award. The AJ13 was designed by Tinker Hatfield and took visual inspiration from a black panther, with a holographic eye on the lateral side and a textured upper meant to mimic the animal’s paw.

The black upper with true red midsole and outsole applied the Bulls colorway cleanly to one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the entire Jordan line.

Spike Lee also wore the shoe in He Got Game that same year, which added another layer of cultural visibility to the colorway at exactly the right moment.

6. Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game”

NBA FInals
Image via GOAT

Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz is one of the most referenced performances in basketball history. Michael Jordan arrived at the arena that day severely ill, having spent the night before unable to sleep with a high fever.

He played anyway. He finished with 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining. The Bulls won 90-88 and went on to close out the series in Game 6. Jordan was wearing the Air Jordan 12 in a black and varsity red colorway that day.

The colorway had no official nickname at the time. It became known as the “Flu Game” entirely because of that performance. Jordan has since said the illness was caused by food poisoning from a late-night pizza delivery in Salt Lake City, not the flu. The name stuck regardless.

5. Air Jordan 12 “Taxi”

NBA Finals
Image via GOAT

The Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” is the shoe Michael Jordan wore in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals, the game that clinched his fifth championship. While the “Flu Game” colorway gets more attention, the “Taxi” is the one he was actually wearing when the series ended.

The white tumbled leather upper with black toe overlay and gold lace locks gave it a noticeably cleaner look than the road colorway. The gold hardware was a deliberate design choice by Tinker Hatfield, referencing the luxury aesthetic he built into the AJ12 line.

Jordan wore the “Taxi” for home games throughout the 1997 Finals, alternating with the “Flu Game” colorway on the road. As a result, it is directly tied to two championship moments from that series, including the clincher.

4. Air Jordan 11 “Bred”

NBA Finals
Image via GOAT

Michael Jordan wore the “Concord” colorway of the Air Jordan 11 throughout the 1995-96 regular season, which ended with the Bulls finishing 72-10. When the Finals arrived against the Seattle SuperSonics, he switched to the “Bred.”

The black patent leather lower with varsity red outsole and white midsole applied the Bulls colorway to what many consider the greatest basketball shoe ever made. Jordan wore the “Bred” for Games 3 through 6 of that series, including the clinching game in which he finished with 22 points and fell to the floor of the locker room in tears.

It was the first championship he celebrated without his father, who had been murdered three years earlier. That emotional context gave the image of Jordan on the floor in those shoes a weight that went well beyond basketball.

The “Bred” 11 remains one of the most sought-after retros in Jordan Brand history.

3. Air Jordan 8 “Playoffs”

Michael Jordan
Image via GOAT

The 1993 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns gave Michael Jordan his third consecutive championship and his third consecutive Finals MVP. He averaged 41.0 points per game throughout that series, which remains an NBA Finals record to this day. He scored 55 points in Game 4 alone.

The shoe on his feet for all of it was the Air Jordan 8 “Playoffs.” The black upper features a distinctive graphic on the midsole with red, white, and blue geometric shapes, along with dual cross straps across the forefoot that became the defining design detail of the silhouette.

The “Playoffs” nickname came directly from MJ wearing the colorway throughout the 1993 postseason run. It is the only AJ8 colorway he ever wore during a Finals series.

The three-peat also made Jordan the first player in NBA history to win Finals MVP in three consecutive appearances, and he was wearing these when it happened.

2. Air Jordan 7 “Raptors”

NBA Finals
Image via GOAT

The 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers produced one of the most memorable individual performances in Finals history. In Game 1, Michael Jordan hit six three-pointers in the first half alone, finishing with 35 points.

He looked at the broadcast table and shrugged after the sixth one, in what became one of the most iconic images of his career. The Bulls won the series in six games, and Jordan averaged 35.8 points per game throughout, winning his second consecutive Finals MVP.

On his feet for all of it was the Air Jordan 7 “Raptors.” The black suede upper with true red, charcoal, and purple accents gave it a colorway unlike anything else in the Jordan line at that point.

The AJ7 was also the first Jordan signature to carry no visible Nike branding anywhere on the shoe. It introduced Huarache technology to the line and remains one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the entire catalog.

1. Air Jordan 6 “Black Infrared”

Michael Jordan
Image via GOAT

The Air Jordan 6 “Black Infrared” is the most important shoe on this list. It is the shoe Michael Jordan was wearing when he won his first NBA championship. In 1991, after years of playoff losses to the Detroit Pistons, the Bulls finally broke through.

They swept the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals and went on to face Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. The Bulls won in five games. Jordan averaged 31.2 points, 11.4 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game throughout the series and won his first Finals MVP.

The AJ6 was designed by Tinker Hatfield and was the first Jordan silhouette to feature a spoiler-like heel tab and a clean lace cover over the tongue. The infrared accents on the midsole and heel tab against the all-black upper gave it a look that has held up for more than three decades.

Every championship shoe on this list exists because this one came first.

Read More: The 10 Most Iconic Air Jordan 1 Moments In Hip Hop History

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