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The UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 Returns This August – With an Unexpected Backstory
The highly anticipated rerelease of the legendary UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 is finally upon us. Set to drop on 2 August 2025, this revered collaboration from 2005 makes its return in the unmistakable olive green and orange colourway that fans have come to adore. But what many may not realise is that this wasn’t the original look envisioned for the project.
Eminem vs. UNDEFEATED
In a recent sit-down with Complex, James Bond – no, not the secret agent, but the co-founder of UNDEFEATED – and Chris Gibbs, the brand’s creative director, shed light on the early creative process behind the now-iconic sneaker. Surprisingly, their first concept wasn’t military-inspired at all, but drew influence from an unlikely source: the early 2000s BlackBerry smartphone.
The duo crafted a sample pair featuring a deep navy upper, complemented by white and grey accents, and finished with bold red highlights. Sound familiar? That’s likely because this exact colour scheme bears a striking resemblance to the Air Jordan 4 ‘Encore’ made in collaboration with Eminem, released to honour his 2004 album of the same name. As it turns out, that similarity wasn’t by chance.
Rumours have circulated for years that during a visit to Nike’s headquarters, Eminem caught a glimpse of UNDEFEATED’s original sample and was instantly smitten. According to the whispers, a deal was quickly made, allowing him to claim that particular colourway for his own special release. Now, in a rare moment of candour, UNDEFEATED’s own Cruz has cautiously confirmed that the longstanding story might, in fact, be true.
Shortly after this revelation, archival photos of early samples began to emerge, adding weight to the myth and connecting the dots even further. At last, it seems, the pieces are coming together.
As for the final release, UNDEFEATED opted to move in a different direction – and perhaps for the better. The olive green and safety orange version, widely considered one of the most sought-after Jordan 4 collaborations to date, will once again hit shelves exclusively at UNDEFEATED locations on 2 August 2025.
If you’re a sneaker enthusiast, this is one drop you won’t want to miss.
