Michael Jordan’s name has almost become synonymous with Hip Hop culture as the iconic athlete was in his prime just as rap music was crossing over into mainstream culture. Having been name dropped by some of the greatest emcees, one would think that Jordan was a fan of rap, but according to N.O.R.E., that is not the case.
On the latest episode of the Rap Radar podcast, the Queens rapper shared a story involving Air Jordan revealing his dislike for rap music. In 1999, famed music video directer Hype Williams was directing N.O.R.E’s visual for his song “Oh No,” which featured the crowd at a Roy Jones Jr. fight where MJ was in attendance. Much to their surprise, the basketball star refused to have his image used in the video.
The original video had Michael Jordan in there. Jordan is a hater of hip hop.
N.O.R.E. doubled down on his stance, telling another story involving Jordan at a Def Jam Christmas party, where he did not speak to any rapper there except for Jay Z.
I seen him shut Redman down at a Def Jam Christmas party. We were all sitting there waiting to speak to Michael Jordan. Ni**as said, ‘Yo, Redman and Method Man is here.’ [MJ] said, ‘F**k rap.’ I seen the ni**a 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. He was like, ‘F**k rap.’ That sh*t 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.
Well, at least we now know why he has taken such a liking to Hov over the years, the exception for MJ, not the rule.
