LL Cool J Claims To Be the First to Wear Air Jordans in Hip-Hop

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LL Cool J, a trailblazer in hip-hop, has made a bold claim about his influence on sneaker culture. The rapper says he was the first artist in the genre to rock Air Jordans, specifically on the back cover of his debut album, Radio, released in 1985.

“My first album cover had me rocking Jordans when Michael Jordan was still a rookie,” LL said during an interview on Big Boy’s Off Air series. At the time, Michael Jordan was fresh to the NBA, and the Air Jordan 1s had just debuted in April 1985.

According to LL Cool J, his choice to wear the sneakers wasn’t about aligning with a trend—because there wasn’t one yet. “Everyone else was wearing Adidas and Puma,” he explained. “Michael Jordan hadn’t even won a championship. I just liked the sneakers.”

The Radio album cover shows LL wearing the black and red Air Jordan 1s, which were a bold choice in an era when Adidas dominated hip-hop fashion. LL further solidified his claim on social media, writing, “I wore the very first pair of Jordans on my very first album. I’m talking when Jordan was a rookie.”

Despite his early endorsement of the now-iconic brand, LL revealed he never received any financial benefit for showcasing the shoes. In a 2019 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he humorously reflected, “Michael never cut me a check. But those were the very first Jordans in their debut year, and I just loved the shoes.”

More Than a Sneaker Story

LL’s influence extends far beyond sneakers. Recently, the rapper released his latest album, The FORCE, produced by Q-Tip and featuring collaborations with Nas, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem. Reflecting on his long career, LL also noted a “fun fact” about his track “Murdergram Deaux.” The song’s producer and both featured MCs are Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees—a rare distinction in music history.