Nikes (song)

"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]

"Nikes"
Single by Frank Ocean
from the album Blonde
ReleasedAugust 20, 2016 (2016-08-20)
GenreDream pop, alternative R&B, ambient pop[1]
Length5:14
LabelBoys 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

The single was also used in the 2020 HBO drama We Are Who We Are, as the miniseries takes place in 2016.

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.”[6]

Pitchfork listed "Nikes" on their ranking of the 100 best songs of 2016 at number 25.[7]

Music video
The music video explores the concept of duality. Ocean's winged eye shadow evokes a queer aesthetic while the cars symbolize masculinity.[8][9]

The music video was released exclusively on Apple Music on August 20, 2016.[10] 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."[11] The video features a cameo appearance from American rapper ASAP Rocky holding a picture of the late ASAP Yams.[12] It also pays tribute to Pimp C and Trayvon Martin.[12] NPR named it as one of the best music videos of 2016.[13]

Personnel

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 77
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 93
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 79
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 27

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Silver 200,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 20 August 2016 Digital download Boys Don't Cry [12]

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. "Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  7. "The 100 Best Songs of 2016". Pitchfork Media. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  8. Mikelle Street (20 August 2016). "A Breakdown of the Powerful Cultural References in Frank Ocean's "Nikes"". Complex. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  9. Frank Ocean and the cars of Blonde
  10. "Watch "Nikes" posted by Frank Ocean on Apple Music. - iTunes - Apple". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. "Meet Tyrone Lebon, The Director Behind Frank Ocean's "Nikes" Video". The Fader. August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  12. "Watch Frank Ocean's Astounding 'Nikes' Video". Rolling Stone. August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  13. "Best Music Videos Of 2016". NPR. December 20, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  14. "Frank Ocean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  15. "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  17. "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  18. "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  19. "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Nikes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 24, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Nikes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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