Originally released in 1989 during Michael Jordan’s fourth NBA season, the Air Jordan 4 White Cement quickly became one of the defining sneakers of the Air Jordan 4 lineup. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the White Cement debuted as one of the model’s four original colorways alongside the Bred, Fire Red, and Military Blue, helping establish the Jordan 4 as a cornerstone silhouette in sneaker history.

Its influence extended far beyond basketball when the sneaker appeared in Do the Right Thing, the 1989 film directed by Spike Lee. In one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, the character Buggin Out—played by Giancarlo Esposito—has his pair scuffed, a moment that resonated deeply within sneaker culture and highlighted the growing importance of sneakers as cultural symbols.

Over the decades, the White Cement 4 has returned through several retro releases, including notable drops in 1999, 2012, and 2016. While most versions preserved the original Nike Air branding on the heel, the 2012 release featured the Jumpman logo, and the 2016 pair stood out for closely replicating the original 1989 shape and detailing. Through its historic on-court moments, unforgettable pop culture appearances, and continued re-releases, the White Cement 4 remains widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sneakers ever created.