The Offspring Community gathered at our King’s Cross store for a live discussion hosted by the one and only legendary Kaff. The topic of discussion? The iconic Jordan 4 Bred.
As we near the launch of the Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined, we invited sneakerheads from all walks of life to come together and share their love for this legendary silhouette. Kaff, with his trademark charisma and wit, took centre stage and started proceedings. As he began to delve into his relationship with the Jordan 4 Bred, the audience was captivated by his passion for the iconic shoe (except the shy solitaire playing mandem – you know who you are 😉).
“I’m part of the younger generation here and you know just looking at these they are absolutely beautiful but more importantly you know, seeing the new bred is like seeing a part of history, it’s a piece of history it’s not just a shoe.”
The Community, known for their passion and expertise in the sneaker game, soon joined in the lively debate about the history and significance of the Jordan 4 Bred. From its origins on the basketball court and ‘The Shot’, to its status as a streetwear staple, there’s no denying the sneaker has left an indelible mark on the culture. It was interesting to hear that for several of the Community, the shoe came before the basketball, as their love and obsession for the Bred introduced them to Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls.
“People are getting into basketball because of Jordan. I’m at that stage now. I don’t know much about basketball, but I want to know bits, teams, players, I’m intrigued to understand what’s going on. Just a bit of backstory about the shoe and how it originated from – it all stems from basketball.”
As the conversation flowed, the Offspring Community shared their personal stories and experiences with the Jordan 4 Bred. From hunting down elusive pairs and copping their first pair, to rocking them in the streets and at school, stuffing those rolled up socks behind the tongue to create that ‘phat’ style. From the OG release in 1989 to the latest retro, it was clear that the love for the Jordan 4 Bred ran deep in this group.
“The style and the colour blocking on the Black Cement Bred 4 is awesome. The cement on the Bred is what makes the shoe what it is along with the white hits on the midsole. I think it’s quite techy because of the mesh and wings. You didn’t see many basketball shoes or shoes at the time with those wings there. The way you can lace them in so many different ways by putting them through the lace locks. That made it stylish. I mean at the time, when we wore them in ’89 we used to stuff the socks under the tongue.”
The discussion soon turned to the Bred’s cultural influence in hip-hop, film and fashion, with many recalling viewing Spike Lee’s ground-breaking film ‘Do the Right Thing’ for the first time, and the likes of Jay-Z and later Eminem and Travis rocking those kicks. These artists have been seen wearing the sneakers in their music videos, performances, and public appearances, solidifying the Breds’ status as a symbol of hip-hop culture and style.
That Black Cement 3s were also mentioned as iconic silhouette associated to these hip-hop artists, with one or two of the Community debating the Cement 3s heel bettering the Bred 4s. And whilst the votes aren’t all in, it’d be safe to say that the Black Cement 3s would be the Community’s choice for the next Jordan model to be given the ‘Reimagined’ treatment.
“I would say it does have that link especially from the 2012 pair onwards. I definitely feel like it’s got that influence and I think it’s very closely linked to hip-hop from a style perspective. I feel like this pair’s significance is how stylish it is, how it bridges the gap for people that like fashion rather than basketball or sports in general.”
There were some very honest and personal discussions around not having the funds to buy some of the previous Bred releases, when having had the opportunity to do so. Sometimes, rent and food need to come before sneakers right? And being a kid at school, it was a tough pill to swallow, seeing your friends turn up in their new Breds while you’re stuck with budget options. So that feeling of saving up and finally getting your hands on a pair, is a significant memory connected to the shoe – a story that several of the Community shared.
“2019, what was happening? Priorities were different man; I was a student in 2019 still hustling so it was either pay my rent or get shoes.”
Kaff, then steered the Community to dissect every detail of the shoe from the classic black and red colourway to the iconic ‘Nike Air’ branding on the booty – the hands down favoured treatment on the heel over the Jumpman logo. Some argued that the Bred 4s are the greatest Jordan colourway of all time, while others debated their ranking among the top Jordan 4 releases.
“If you like the history aspect just like I do, I like to know my shoes. I know I can’t afford all of them, a lot of them that I like came before I was born. I’m just 23… but there’s certain shoes that when I see them on people just walking around in London or anywhere around the world, I can say hand on heart, I image myself in them – how beautiful I would look in them and the stories I can create with them. So that’s why I respect OG colourways a lot more than the new ones coming out lately.”
Of course, the discussion would not be complete without a talking up the 2024 Reimagined silhouette, and the most striking change from nubuck to tumbled leather. The Community all seemed to appreciate this change, agreeing leather sneakers generally lasting longer and being more weatherproof, which is helpful when you must contend with the UK rain.
“As you may or may not know, The Jordan 4 Bred Reimagined is actually celebrating 35 years of the Jordan 4 Bred. 35 years is older than some of you, younger than some of us… and the main thing everyone recognises from it is the premium tumbled leather that replaces the nubuck build of the OG 1989.”
But the event wasn't just about talking – it was also a chance for the community to show off their own personal style. The King’s Cross store was transformed into a runway as the Community flexed their own Jordan 4 kicks, each one showcasing their unique flair and love for the sneaker.
The IRL discussion was a true celebration of sneaker culture, with the Offspring Community bonding over their shared obsession with the Jordan 4 Bred. From the sneakerheads who have been collecting for decades to the new generation of hypebeasts, everyone in attendance left with a newfound appreciation for this timeless classic.
Check out highlights from the IRL discussion below.
Big shout out to kaff_official_insta the master of ceremonies, fitriatjandra for the sick photography, rbaybay for filming the event, and to a ‘panicked’ Aman Tak, who might have promised a pair of Breds to everyone!
