Nikes (song)

Last updated
"Nikes"
Single by Frank Ocean
from the album Blonde
ReleasedAugust 20, 2016 (2016-08-20)
Genre
Length5:14
Label Boys Don't Cry
Songwriter(s) Christopher Breaux
Producer(s)
Frank Ocean singles chronology
"Super Rich Kids"
(2013)		"Nikes"
(2016)		"Slide"
(2017)
Music video
"Nikes" on Apple Music

"Nikes" is a song recorded by American singer Frank Ocean. It was released on August 20, 2016, as the lead single from his second studio album, Blonde (2016), accompanied by a music video directed by Tyrone Lebon, exclusive to Apple Music. [2] It is Ocean's first single since "Super Rich Kids", which was released in 2013. [3] Ocean wrote the song, producing it alongside Malay Ho and Om'Mas Keith. [4] Former Dirty Projectors vocalist Amber Coffman contributed additional vocals. [5] An extended version of the song featuring Japanese rapper Kohh was included on the physical CD release of Blonde. [6]

Contents

Critical reception

Billboard ranked "Nikes" at number 28 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list: “As the first song on the most highly-anticipated album since D'Angelo re-emerged with Black Messiah , "Nikes" was always going to be heavily scrutinized—but as a re-introduction, it worked brilliantly. Its first three minutes are delivered in a pitched-up approximation of a child's voice, picking apart the hidden motives behind the wants and desires of his subject with a sweetly-concealed irony, as a musical dreamscape gently glides underneath. It serves almost as a lullaby of sorts—which makes the transition to his "real" voice, arriving suddenly for the second verse, that much more effective. "Nikes" proved that Frank Ocean was back, and with a whole new set of emotions to get off his chest.” [7]

Pitchfork listed "Nikes" on their ranking of the 100 best songs of 2016 at number 25. [8]

Music video

The music video was released exclusively on Apple Music on August 20, 2016. [9] It explores the concept of duality. Ocean's winged eye shadow evokes a queer aesthetic while the cars symbolize masculinity. [10] [11] While talking about the video in an interview with The Fader , director Tyrone Lebon said; "The visuals came immediately when I first heard the song - they all follow from the music and Frank’s lyrics." [12] The video features a cameo appearance from American rapper ASAP Rocky holding a picture of the late ASAP Yams. [13] It also pays tribute to Pimp C and Trayvon Martin. [13] NPR named it as one of the best music videos of 2016. [14]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [15] 77
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ) [16] 3
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 93
US Billboard Hot 100 [18] 79
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [19] 27

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [20] Gold45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [21] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various20 August 2016 Digital download Boys Don't Cry [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "New Music". The Drainage. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "Detangling Frank Ocean's 'Blonde': What It Is And Isn't" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ "R.Kelly & Justin Bieber Hang Out Like Besties + Prince Drops New Music "Screwdriver" + Frank Ocean's Next Single "Super Rich Kids"" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Here Are the Full Credits for Frank Ocean's 'Blonde'". Complex. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  5. ↑ Snapes, Laura (2017-06-02). "Amber Coffman on life after Dirty Projectors: 'Being on my own was pretty heavy'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  6. ↑ Kim, Michelle (2016-07-30). "Meet KOHH, The Japanese Rapper Featured On The Extended Cut Of Frank Ocean's "Nikes"". The Fader. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  7. ↑ "Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 25, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2016". Pitchfork Media. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Watch "Nikes" posted by Frank Ocean on Apple Music. - iTunes - Apple" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ Mikelle Street (20 August 2016). "A Breakdown of the Powerful Cultural References in Frank Ocean's "Nikes"". Complex . Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  11. ↑ "Frank Ocean and the cars of Blonde". The Verge . 2016-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02.
  12. ↑ "Meet Tyrone Lebon, The Director Behind Frank Ocean's "Nikes" Video". The Fader . August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 "Watch Frank Ocean's Astounding 'Nikes' Video". Rolling Stone . August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Best Music Videos Of 2016". NPR . December 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  16. ↑ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Nikes". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Nikes". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 24, 2020.
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