Sotheby’s and the Jordan Brand are teaming up for the unique Air Jordan 13 auction that will pay homage to the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.
The auction will feature 23 pairs of the unreleased Christopher Wallace Air Jordan 13 sneaker, which was created in 2017 to celebrate what would have been the rapper’s 45th birthday. The auction is being held in collaboration with the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which supports inner-city youth through educational opportunities, scholarships, and mentorship.
The online auction begins on Monday and runs through February 3rd, and the sneakers are estimated to sell for between $2,300 and $5,200. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation. The black Air Jordan 13 sneakers are designed with an image of the rapper on the tongue, featuring his famous quotes such as “It was all a dream” and “If you don’t know, now you know.” The sock liner is designed in a classic red and black plaid print, and the shoelaces are inscribed with the word “dream.“
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“We are thrilled that the Jordan Brand and the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation have entrusted Sotheby’s with these exclusive pairs of sneakers honoring the legacy of The Notorious B.I.G. as part of the Jordan Year 2023 celebration,” said Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles Brahm Wachter. “The auction marks the only opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike to acquire these special limited-edition sneakers that bring together the legacies of the greatest athlete of all time with the greatest rapper ever.”
The auction coincides with Jordan Brand’s #JordanYear 2023 campaign, which reflects Michael Jordan’s number 23 jersey, and is also meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Other major brands like H&M have featured images of the musician’s likeness in recent seasons. Sotheby’s knows firsthand how the Jordan name carries its own clout and fan base. A pair of Jordan-worn sneakers by the NBA legend during his rookie season sold for a whopping $1.47 million at the auction house in 2021.
“This is just the beginning of a journey for us as a brand in 2023,” said in a statement Shannon Watkins, chief marketing officer at Jordan Brand. “We want to use the power of our Jordan heritage to energize and accelerate self-belief all year long.”
The Air Jordan 13 sneakers will be showcased in a public exhibition at Sotheby’s New York gallery during the online auction. This is just one of the many ways that The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy is being celebrated in the hip-hop community, with other notable efforts including the unveiling of a 9-foot interactive statue of the late musician in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood. The statue, created by artist Sherwin Banfield, depicts the musician in a Coogi sweater and crown and features an audio component. It will remain on view until October.
The Notorious B.I.G, also known as Biggie Smalls, was a rapper and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. He was born Christopher George Latore Wallace on May 21, 1972, and began his career in the early 1990s under the name Biggie Smalls. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, known for his powerful flow and storytelling abilities.
Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die, was released in 1994 and was a commercial success, featuring hit songs such as “Juicy” and “Big Poppa.” His second and final studio album Life After Death was released in 1997, and it was posthumously released after his death on March 9th of the same year.
He was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California. His death was a significant event in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry, and it remains unsolved to this day.
©Photos: Sotheby’s
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