J Balvin’s Air Jordan 3 ‘Rio’ Is Nearly Ready For Takeoff

Update February 1, 2024: Clearer images of the J Balvin x Air Jordan 3 'Rio' have surfaced thanks to @zsneakerheadz on Instagram. Aside from already seeing what the lateral looks like, the left heel features a 'Nike Air' logo with the letter 'i' replaced with a thunderbolt. Meanwhile, the right heel comes with a smiley face with thunderbolt eyes.

The collaborative pair will reportedly drop on May 22. Stay tuned for more release info.

Update January 2, 2024: J Balvin’s AJ3 ‘Medellin Sunset’ may have been one of the prettiest-looking sneakers of 2023, but this year he’s back with another iteration of the model. Having leaked last year, the ‘Rio’ iteration is set to get a release in 2024, with rumours suggesting it’ll drop in time for summer. To celebrate, the artist has shared another look at the black and sunset-hued pair, so check out the new image right here and stay locked for more info on the release as it comes in.

Update September 11, 2023: DJ Khaled has been gifted an early sample pair of the black J Balvin x Air Jordan 3. Check it out below.

Update August 30, 2023: After leaking back in July, J Balvin has been spotted wearing his second Air Jordan 3. This confirms the existence of the black colourway, which is set to follow the 'Medellín Sunset'. Peruse the video below while we wait for news of a drop, but don't expect it anytime soon. Stay locked to keep updated.

J Balvin, the Colombian Reggaeton star, has been a regular face in the sneakersphere ever since his partnership kicked off with Jordan Brand back in 2020. Ever since, he’s worked in numerical order through the Jumpman’s catalogue, starting with the Air Jordan 1 and then moving to the AJ2. This year, the artist is already set to release an Air Jordan 3, which has been slated to release in September this year. The ‘Medellín Sunset’ is still yet to hit shelves, and leakers have already shared that J Balvin may have another colourway in the works.

According to @sneakerfiles and @zsneakerheadz, the latest will be dubbed ‘Rio’ and is an homage to Balvin’s 2-year-old son, also called Rio. There’s been no official word, but the sources state that the colourway will compose of Black/Solar Flare/Total Crimson Abyss. A mockup has been created below with the estimated colour-blocking.

If rumours are anything to go by, then you can expect the J Balvin x Air Jordan 3 ‘Rio’ in mid 2024.