Hip-hop legends Fat Joe and Jadakiss brought their deep sneaker knowledge and personal style to Flight Club New York, joining Complex’s Sneaker Shopping for an episode that blended rap history, rare heat, and raw nostalgia. Their appearance offered fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the sneaker culture that has long been intertwined with hip-hop identity. The episode, hosted by Joe La Puma from Complex, marked the first time the co-hosts of the popular "Joe and Jada" podcast appeared together for such an interview, a testament to their iconic status in both music and fashion.
The conversation quickly delved into sneaker history, with both rappers expressing their profound appreciation for the Air Max 95s. Jadakiss noted he typically purchases "two pair," while Fat Joe, showcasing his deep-seated passion, declared, "whenever the 95s come out, this right here I always buy like nine pair", feeling an irresistible urge to own them. This passion for collecting was further underscored by Fat Joe revealing his status as the **"first customer in Flight Club"** history, recounting how he backed a U-Haul truck up to the store at 9 AM before opening, bypassed a long line, and purchased approximately 100 pairs of sneakers, totaling around $30,000. He highlighted his daughter's influence on his sneaker choices, admitting he initially "slept on" a particular pair that he intended to purchase during the visit.
Beyond mere acquisition, the discussion unearthed significant career milestones and near misses for Fat Joe. He shared a previously untold story about being the “first rapper with a Jordan sneaker,” a design conceived by Michael Jordan himself with a distinctive "Puerto Rican insole," reflecting a "Latino flavor". This groundbreaking deal, involving seven meetings, tragically fell through after an incident at the MTV Awards, where Fat Joe had a public confrontation, leading Jordan Brand to distance itself from "controversy". Immediately following this, Reebok approached him for a sneaker deal worth millions, but this too was "shut down" due to an industry "squeeze play" influenced by his contemporaries, notably Jay-Z and 50 Cent. Fat Joe acknowledged this as "part of the karma," a cyclical nature of the business he understood, having "done it to other guys" himself.
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The influence of Michael Jordan continued to be a central theme, with Jadakiss asserting that "Jordan's energy depends on if you show up in his presence wearing Jordan, "a "no-brainer" for any professional. Fat Joe then recounted a legendary tale surrounding the grand opening of his YC store. Despite initially facing skepticism from Nike representatives who questioned his authorization to sell their products, a chance encounter at a Jordan Brand party welcoming Neymar Junior turned the tide. Michael Jordan himself, upon hearing about Fat Joe's store, personally declared, **"Your store, I'll be there at the grand opening, your store, Big Joe, I'm coming. This unexpected endorsement sent the same Nike executives scrambling, readying security measures for the basketball icon's anticipated arrival, a moment Fat Joe masterfully leveraged to elevate his store's status.
The conversation also touched upon the rarity and exclusivity of certain pieces, with Fat Joe recounting his acquisition of the "Purple Rain" Prince Jordan 11s, a pair custom-made for Prince featuring velour purple. He described how he "blew a big bag" on these, eventually selling some of his most prized possessions to purchase his mother a new house, noting that the Purple Rain pair reportedly sold for $100,000. Both artists reflected on 2025 as a strong year for sneakers, although not necessarily the "best," citing releases like the Levi's 95 Neon 95s and denim Jordan 4s as particularly noteworthy.
Concluding their shopping spree, Fat Joe selected the "little Yachties," "The mandarin" over here 95s," and "black and orange 12s," along with "white on white Air Force Ones." Jadakiss opted for "True Blue 3s" and several other items, bringing their total bill to an impressive **$6,340.91**. The episode concluded with a reminder for viewers to check out the "Joe and Jada" podcast, streaming twice a week. This candid and insightful exchange reaffirmed not only their legendary status in hip-hop but also their profound, often costly, dedication to sneaker culture.
