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Jordan Brand and Apple Music have teamed up to launch Retro Sounds, a new series that connects iconic Jordan Retro sneakers to the music and cultural moments that defined their era. Through curated sets, commentary, and storytelling available exclusively on Apple Music, each episode offers a new way to experience some of Jordan Brand’s most celebrated silhouettes.
Every Jordan Retro carries a legacy. Every era carried a soundtrack.
Retro Sounds brings those worlds together, exploring the artists, sounds, and creative energy that helped shape the moments behind each release. Curated by Jordan Brand’s family of DJs and tastemakers, the platform uncovers the cultural context that transformed iconic products into lasting symbols of influence.
“Jordan Brand has always been shaped by the conversations happening across sport, style and music”, said Reggie Saunders, Vice President of Global Entertainment at Jordan Brand. “Teaming up with Apple Music on Retro Sounds allows us to revisit our most iconic products through the lens of the culture that surrounded them and to introduce those stories to a new generation.”
“Jordan Brand is one of the most culture-moving brands in the world, and music has always been part of that story”, said Matt Plotnik, global head of marketing at Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. “Giving Jordan a platform to discuss and share the music that surrounds each iconic pair felt like a natural fit for us. We’re excited to let our listeners experience these silhouettes through the soundtrack of their time, and to help bring that history to life for longtime fans, and a new generation alike.”
Retro Sounds arrives as part of Apple Music’s ongoing commitment to being the best home for music and the artists, cultures, and communities that shape it. Subscribers can experience every episode and companion DJ mix exactly as its DJs intended and in industry-leading sound quality. The series joins a growing slate of exclusive Apple Music content—from Apple Music Radio premieres to artist-curated playlists and in-depth interviews—that reflects Apple Music’s broader mission to connect listeners not just to songs, but to the stories, artists, and cultural moments behind them.
Each episode pairs a legendary Jordan silhouette with a curated musical experience inspired by its era. The debut installment centers on the Air Jordan 3 True Blue, with Chase B and Manny Peralte Jr guiding Apple Music listeners through the sounds of 1988 and the cultural landscape that helped cement the shoe’s place in sneaker history. Following the live premiere, the companion DJ mix will be available to stream on demand exclusively on Apple Music.
As Retro Sounds evolves, future episodes will revisit defining Jordan silhouettes through the artists, scenes, and soundtracks that left a lasting mark on culture. Together, Jordan Brand and Apple Music invite audiences to look beyond the product and into the moments that made it matter.
Because before a Retro became an icon, it was part of a moment. And every moment had a soundtrack.
Tune in and listen to the first episode of Retro Sounds live for free on Wednesday, July 15 at 2 PM PST/5 PM EST, exclusively on Apple Music 1. Listen to the episode and companion DJ mix after the livestream, anytime on demand with a subscription exclusively on Apple Music.
Manny tells Apple Music about Michael Jordan’s dominance in the AJ3 sneaker
Honestly speaking, the most significant fact for me is the dominance. So MJ came into the league, people know he was really good, but what he did in the AJ3—first player and only guard ever to win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP—and he did it in the AJ3.
Manny tells Apple Music about the Black Cement memory
My mom was actually in labor watching the 1988 All-Star game and Jordan wore the Black Cement III only one time on an NBA court. I came into the world, and she tells me that story all the time.
Manny tells Apple Music about the True Blue wear history
Jordan actually didn’t wear that shoe on court during its original 1988 release. He didn’t wear it until August of 1988, when he wore it in a series of exhibition games against the 1988 USA basketball team.
Manny tells Apple Music about the AJ3 design
Michael wanted something different in terms of flexibility from the two to the three, and that led Tinker to develop a five-eighths cut of a shoe. So it’s not a high top, but it’s not a low top, and it gave Michael just enough flexibility to do all the acrobatics that he does on court.
Manny tells Apple Music about the Concord retro he wants
The last time it happened is 2018, but now I’m looking for it to come back specific to MJ’s PE, even with the stitch 23 on the back. If they could do something special, kind of adjust the toe in the front like his actual encore pairs, that would be really cool.
Manny tells Apple Music about the three-peat legacy
The first three-peat was amazing. It was a learning process of how to trust your teammates, and then coming back, that second three-peat was all about mastery. That second run was just a different level of mastery that has never been seen before and still hasn’t been seen since.
