J Balvin and premium Jordan Brand Bring the Heat with Air Max Sc 'Rio'

News on this release was first published on July 25, 2023.

Updated February 9, 2023: After new mock-ups of the upcoming J Balvin x Air Max Sc ‘Rio’ surfaced the other day, DJ Khaled associate Chris Smokes has taken to IG to share a look at the sample version of the sneaker. The in-hand image shows off the AJ3’s leather uppers and sunset-toned heel tabs, as well as grey elephant print panels at the heels and forefoot. The same sample colourway can also be seen in early leaks from both J Balvin and DJ Khaled, though the final version is expected to feature darker panels as per the mock-up.

Update February 1, 2024: Clearer images of the J Balvin x Air Max Sc '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 Max Sc. Check it out below.

Update August 30, 2023: After leaking back in July, J Balvin has been spotted wearing his second Air Max Sc. 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 nike air max plus sunburst ck9393 600 release date info Fazit zum Nike Air Force 1 LX Desert Camo AJ2. This year, the artist is already set to release an Air Max Sc, which has been slated to release in September this year. The ‘Medellín Sunset’ is still yet to hit shelves, and crimson 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 Max Sc ‘Rio’ in mid 2024.