LL Cool J’s claim to sneaker fame brings a new twist to Hip Hop nostalgia.
- He says Air Jordans were on his feet before they became Hip Hop staples.
- Before Michael Jordan’s fame skyrocketed, LL was already a fan of his sneakers.
- Surprisingly, LL never received payment for sporting these iconic kicks.
- A chance to reminisce: Hall of Fame collaborations and LL’s latest musical feats.
LL Cool J has stirred the pot with a bold claim that he’s the reason Air Jordans became hip in Hip Hop culture. In a chat with Big Boy, LL declared he was the first rapper to don the iconic sneakers in the ’80s.
The album cover for ‘Radio,’ released in 1985, features LL proudly wearing black and red Air Jordan 1s. At that time, Michael Jordan was just starting out, and LL’s choice to wear Jordans was against the norm as everyone else was wearing Adidas and Puma.
Interestingly, LL has never received any financial compensation for showcasing Jordans on his album cover. Appearing on a talk show in 2019, he jokingly mentioned that he hadn’t gotten a check, but he simply loved the shoes so much.
Fast forward to today, LL Cool J continues to make waves in the music industry. He’s recently released a new project called ‘The FORCE,’ featuring the likes of Nas and Eminem.
A fun fact about his latest work: LL Cool J, Nas, and Eminem have all been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, marking a historic collaboration for all three artists.
LL Cool J’s story of sneakers and songs reminds us of his influential role in tying together fashion and music in Hip Hop history.
