It’s widely known what NBA icon Michael Jordan enjoys during his well-deserved free time. Whether it’s indulging in big cigars, savoring delicious tequila, competing in other sports like baseball and golf, or engaging in some risky gambling.
However, one thing that doesn’t make the list is listening to rap music. This detail emerged in a story recounted by rapper N.O.R.E., in which he discussed a Def Jam Christmas Party where Jordan expressed his viewpoint on the genre.
“Jordan is a hater of hip-hop. I seen him shut Redman down at a Def Jam Christmas party. We were all sitting there waiting to speak to Michael Jordan. Ni**a said, ‘Yo, Redman and Method Man is here.’ [MJ] said, ‘F**k rap.’ I seen the ni**a say that…Quote me,” the rapper recounted in 2016.
Jordan and rap
Rap and basketball are undeniably interconnected, and numerous NBA players have been name-dropped in rap lyrics. However, perhaps no one has been referenced more than ‘His Airness.’ Rap icons like Notorious B.I.G., Ice Cube, Drake, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and many others have paid tribute to him in their lyrics.
Many MCs have also proudly worn his iconic number 23 jersey, rocked his ‘Air Jordan’ sneakers, or collaborated with the brand. The rap world’s admiration for Jordan has been undeniable but apparently one-sided. Amid laughter in the studio, N.O.R.E. could only note, “that shirt hurt me.”
Yet, as N.O.R.E. revealed, at least one rapper MJ didn’t quickly overlook. None other than Jay-Z, also known as Hov or Hova.
“He only spoke to Hov, but he spoke to Hov. That’s without a doubt.”
Michael’s musical tastes
To put it mildly, MJ’s relationship with the entire hip-hop scene has always been controversial. He’s had several run-ins with rappers, and some, like Chamillionaire or Bow Wow, have even described him as outright rude.
It’s not uncommon for older individuals with a rugged personality like Jordan to dislike everything associated with the younger generation, and rap music falls precisely into this category. One can only imagine some rookies (one of MJ’s former favorite targets for trash talk) entering the locker room, blasting loud rap music, with Michael just shaking his head in despair.
MJ seems to be more of a connoisseur of other music genres. He was once spotted vibing to an unreleased track by R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, whom he once called “a friend of mine.”
He is also a big fan of the soul singer Anita Baker. That affinity didn’t stop while playing. As he once dominated while playing a game, he gave his own rendition of her song ‘Giving You the Best That I Got.’
“I remember him singing that to Jerry Stackhouse one day and just putting on a show. It was like he had a concert going on in his own head,” former NBA Roshown McLeod once revealed.
Washington Wizards guard Michael Jordan before the 2003 All-Star Game
