Daily Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Drake - Aubrey Drake GrahamDrake in concert during the Summer Sixteen tour at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA - 05 Oct 2016
Drake
RMV/REX Shutterstock

With Drake being spotted wearing Adidas sneakers for weeks now, rumors have been swirling about the rap superstar leaving his longtime sponsor Jordan Brand for the Three Stripes. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but this upcoming Air Jordan 4 release may be the proof that Drake’s move to Adidas is imminent.

The upcoming “Raptors” Air Jordan 4 (scheduled to release in May) has been previewed across the internet for some time, and most collectors have assumed the black, purple and bright red combination was inspired by an original Air Jordan 7 colorway in the same palette.

But an early sample of the Air Jordan 4 in question has been revealed with Drake’s signature on the tongue logo instead of the black leather tag on the retail version, which seems to make it apparent that the colorway was originally designed as an ode to his beloved Toronto Raptors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9iBEXgdbI/?taken-by=2muchsol3

A Raptors colorway of the Air Jordan 4 by Drake certainly makes sense, especially considering the upcoming Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 colorway has been said to be inspired by his native Houston’s (now defunct) NFL team the Oilers. It looks like the original plan may have been to have both rappers design an Air Jordan 4 colorway inspired by one of their hometown pro sports teams.

Watch on FN

Does Jordan Brand switching the tongue tag of the upcoming retail version of the Air Jordan 4 “Raptors” prove that Drake is headed to Adidas? Nothing has been confirmed yet, but all the clues seem to point to yes. Stay tuned for further developments in the Drake to Adidas story.

Shopping with FN
Daily Headlines

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Ad Specification Generated by SendMyAd ASB
Get the Latest Issue
Only $24.99 for one year!
PMC Logo
Footwear News is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 Fairchild Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. FN and Footwear News are registered trademarks of Fairchild Publishing, LLC.