Sneaker culture thrives on exclusivity, and when music and basketball collide, the results can be legendary. But this time, the latest ultra-rare sneaker release has sparked more controversy than celebration. Enter the Jordan ‘Purple Rain’, a one-of-one sneaker created as a tribute to the late great Prince. While a fusion of Michael Jordan and Prince sounds like a match made in cultural heaven blessing us, the sneaker has left fans questioning whether this is a genuine homage or just another high-priced flex.
Prince’s influence on fashion and music is undeniable. From his extravagant stage outfits to his rebellious stance on artistic ownership, the late musician embodied creative freedom like no other.
The Jordan Brand has long been known for celebrating cultural icons through special sneaker releases, and the Purple Rain was meant to be no different—a tribute to the legendary Prince. Designed before his passing, the sneaker, unfortunately, never made it to him.
Reportedly, the shoe features a rich purple suede upper, metallic accents, and subtle design elements inspired by Prince’s signature style. A fitting homage to one of the most influential artists of all time, the Purple Rain remains one of the most intriguing unreleased sneakers in Jordan Brand history.
In a recent Instagram post by @complexsneakers, it was revealed that the ultra-rare Jordan Purple Rain sneakers are now up for sale—at a jaw-dropping price of $100,000. The seller? Simon Voltaire Tan, better known as @depeche23mode, a well-known figure in the sneaker resale world.
The price might feel outrageous, but there’s a reason behind it. These sneakers were never intended for public release, making them a true one-of-one collector’s item. Designed as a tribute to Prince’s Purple Rain era, the sneaker pays homage to the imagery of his legendary 1984 album.
The steep price, the extreme exclusivity, and the perception that this tribute was more about money than honoring Prince’s legacy all fueled the outrage. Let us see how the fans reacted.
How Did The Fans React To The Ludicrous Price?
While some sneaker collectors and high-end resellers view the Jordan Purple Rain as a grail-worthy tribute, the reaction from most Prince fans and sneakerheads has been far less enthusiastic.
Once the $100,000 price tag was revealed, social media erupted with backlash. Many felt the steep cost was unjustified, especially since the sneaker was never meant for public release.
One ardent Prince fan commented on Instagram, “Prince literally fought corporate greed his whole life. Now Jordan slaps his name on a $100k sneaker? Disrespectful,” pointing out that Prince spent his career fighting for artistic control and against industry exploitation. The idea of a sneaker tribute being sold for a six-figure sum felt almost hypocritical.
Not everyone is buying into the hype. One Instagram user took a more practical approach, commenting, “If you can make another, especially at that simplicity def not worth 100k in my opinion lol.” Their point? If one pair can be made, so can more—lowering the exclusivity and, ultimately, the price.
Another user echoed the same frustration, writing, “People are starving but ok. Just produce them on request for a normal price.” The argument is simple: if Jordan Brand were to release these on demand, the sneaker wouldn’t carry such an outrageous price tag.
Some fans took a more blunt approach, one user commented, “Jordan Brand got it wrong. A true tribute would have been purple suede Air Jordan 1s released to the public,” calling out the one-of-one edition. Another Instagram user commented, “Prince was about music, not sneaker culture. This collab makes no sense unless it’s donating to a charity he supported,” adding a sense of philanthropy to the abysmal pricing.
There were a few hilarious reactions too, such as, “At this price, they should’ve at least made the sneakers play Purple Rain when you walk,” and “This ain’t ‘Purple Rain,’ this is ‘Purple Scam,” adding humor to the situation acting as the silver lining to the gloomy cloud of price and exclusivity.
Despite the backlash, the Jordan ‘Purple Rain’ remains one of the rarest sneakers ever created. While sneaker collectors might chase it for its exclusivity, the controversy raises a valid question—should tributes to cultural icons be accessible to the people who actually loved them, or just another high-priced item for elite collectors?
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