"Nikes"
Single by Frank Ocean
from the album Blonde
ReleasedAugust 20, 2016 (2016-08-20)
Genre
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

"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]

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 Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[19] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] 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 25, 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". The Verge. 2016-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02.
  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Nikes". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Nikes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
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