The much talked about collaboration on the NIKE- commissioned hip hop track, “Better Than I’ve Ever Been” which features Kanye West, Nas and KRS-One, and produced by Rick Rubin, will be available on February 20th on iTunes.
Twenty-five years ago NIKE released the Air Force 1 to satisfy the demands of the most uncompromising and forceful players in the game of basketball. In 1982, the Air Force 1 became the first basketball shoe to feature NIKE Air technology. The comfort and protective qualities of the AF1 changed the game forever and created a platform that launched NIKE’s long-running legacy in performance basketball.
Embraced and revered by the basketball community the Air Force 1’s impact was felt way beyond its hard court roots. The shoe had something unique about it and was embraced as quickly off the court as it was on. The urban street culture that gave birth to this music scene is the same culture that has supported the Air Force 1 from its inception. In 2006, NIKE commemorated the Air Force 1’s 25th anniversary. As part of these celebrations, NIKE commissioned a stellar cast of artists to record an original track that pays homage to the perseverance of the AF1 and the community that has championed it.
A remix of the track by DJ Premier and featuring the addition of Rakim, titled “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been DJ Premier Remix)” will also be available on iTunes for purchase. The tracks will be sold individually and all NIKE and artist proceeds from the sale of the track will be donated to the “NIKE Youth Sport for Change Fund,” to support youth programs that use sport as a catalyst for change.
All NIKE and artist proceeds will be donated to the “NIKE Youth Sport for Change Fund,” to support youth programs that use sport as a catalyst for change throughout the world. This fund will be administered by Charities Aid Foundation America (www.cafamerica.org).
