The Last Dance, the latest installment of the critically acclaimed ESPN documentary 30 for 30 series, chronicles Michael Jordan’s last season as a Chicago Bull. Originally slated for a summer release, the brass at ESPN wisely moved the release date up to April 19th due to the current NBA season being in limbo because of the global pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19 and hardcore fans could not contain their excitement. The behind-the-scenes look at the last days of the Bulls dynasty is sure to raise some eyebrows of its portrayal of the arguable G.O.A.T..
Getting ahead of the narrative, Jordan recently said that the doc will make him look like a “horrible guy.” The same tenacity and drive for excellence that made him the ultimate competitor, are the same attributes that made him such a pretentious jerk at times, especially in regards to his relationship to Hip Hop culture.
When it comes to rap lyrics, no other professional athlete has been referenced more than Michael Jeffery Jordan. His company, the Jordan Brand, has partnered with several rappers over the years. But MJ’s relationship to Hip Hop as a whole has been a contentious one, to say the least. Although MC’s rock his sneaks, compare their greatness in rap music to his adroitness on the court, and admire his capitalistic prowess, the love hasn’t always been reciprocated. In fact, Jordan has reportedly been downright rude to a plethora of MCs who just wanted to show him how much he was appreciated and idolized.
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In anticipation of The Last Dance, here’s a handful of Michael Jordan Hip Hop horror stories. Whether they’re true or not, we’ll let you decide.
Willie D Wishes Charles Barkley Would've Died Instead Of Kobe Bryant
Bow Wow Claims Jordan Trashed His Allen Iverson Sneakers
During a 2013 interview, Bow Wow talks about making one of the biggest mistakes of his young life when he rocked some of Allen Iverson’s kicks, the Reebok Answer 5’s, in Mr. Jordan’s house. Reminiscing on spending the night over MJ’s crib, Bow Wow told Desus and Mero,“Michael Jordan threw away my Allen Iverson sneakers when I stayed at his house, me and his son, Marcus Jordan … Every time my tour came through the Chi, I would just stay at their house. I remember Marcus was like, “Yo, I know how you are with A.I.”
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Bow Wow added that Jordan woke him up and had some questions for him. According to Bow Wow, Jordan asked, ‘Whose is these? And who has Duke shorts on in my house?’
Jordan allegedly threw Bow Wow’s sneaks in the garbage and told Marcus to get him some Jumpmans.
Bow Wow learned the hard way that in Jordan’s crib: it’s Nike or nothing.
N.O.R.E. Swears He Heard Jordan Diss The Culture — & Redman
Before N.O.R.E became the co-host of one of the most popular Hip Hop podcasts, Drink Champs, he was a multi-platinum MC. Because of his stature, N.O.R.E. was rubbing elbows with the “who’s who” of the entertainment industry, including partying with Michael Jordan in 1999. But the party take a left turn when the Lefrak rapper allegedly heard his Airness say some foul things about rap music.
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Being interviewed by another renowned Hip Hop podcast, Rap Radar, N.O.R.E. exclaimed his run-in with MJ. “I seen him shut Redman down at a Def Jam Christmas party. We were all sitting there waiting to speak to Michael Jordan. N*ggas said, “Yo, Redman and Method Man is here.” MJ said, “Fuck rap.” I seen the nigga say that — quote me! I believe it was Redman and Method Man, and I’m to the side, so I can directly hear his voice… That shit hurt me. Def Jam Christmas party, Mariah Carey hosting and shit like that. He only spoke to Hov, but he spoke to Hov. That’s without a doubt.”
N.O.R.E. also alleges that MJ refused to be in his “Oh No’ video as well. Naturally, Jordan’s camp denied saying anything derogatory towards any rappers but N.O.R.E. had some receipts. On his Twitter, he posted a pic of Jordan next to JAY-Z at the party where the alleged conversation transpired. N.O.R.E. added this caption to the photo, “Does this look like a happy moment?”
Chamillionaire Says Jordan Sonned Him Over A Photo
Chamillionaire’s hit “Ridin” went all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006 but it must not have been Jordan’s jam. Probably the most infamous story of Jordan being a Hip Hop hater is his treatment of Chamillionaire at a celebrity event.
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In a video, Chamillionaire attempts to give his side of the story about what allegedly went down between him and MJ. “I was just like, man, this is just that one moment. I’m gonna ask Mike for a picture.” The rapper approached Jordan, who was sitting next to filmmaker Spike Lee and members of the Boston Celtics, including All-Star Paul Pierce. “They were just chilling and I said, ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but Mike, I just wanted to know if I could get a picture.” Although Chamillionaire was prepared if MJ declined but he wasn’t ready for his alleged response; “I ain’t taking pictures with no n*ggas!”
Stunned, Chamillionaire thought that Jordan didn’t hear him properly and explained that he recently copped one of his jerseys for $7,000. Jordan reportedly told Chamillionaire that if he spent $15,000 for one of his jerseys, then he would take a pic with him.
Pierce even tried jump in, but MJ allegedly said, “I don’t give a fuck, n*gga.” Chamillionaire was then given the indication by Spike Lee that that’s just how Jordan is. Damn.
Yung Joc Allegedly Got Disrespected By Jordan — Right After Chamillionaire
Yung Joc, who currently co-stars on Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta, also claims to have had an encounter with Air Jordan where he was allegedly disrespected. Interestingly enough, the alleged incident with Joc took place at the same party where Chamillionaire said he whiffed the foulness from his Airness.
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Chamillionaire recalls leaving the party and running into Joc who was heated. When Chamillionaire asked him what was the issue, Joc reportedly said, “Yo, fuck Michael Jordan!” Apparently, Joc was had on some adidas on the red carpet and that’s a “no-no” when in the presence of MJ. It’s alleged that Jordan wasn’t feeling the gesture and Joc left the party feeling some kind of way.
Check out Chamillionaire’s description of the alleged incident in the pre-set video above.
The Last Dance airs on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.
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