Bi-Weekly-ish newsletter #47 w/ Patta x Nike X Barcelona 👟⚽🔵🔴, NBA Promo 🏀🎥, Fury x Ngannou 👊🥊, Ghostwriter Interview 👻✍️, Copyrights against Nazism©️🚫.
Hi there,
Back again with a brand new edition of the bi-weekly-ish newsletter on music, tech, and culture. Lots of sports advertising this time around since… well, good stuff came out.
Enjoy!
1. Catalan's Cosmopolitan Couture
Triple Threat Tailoring
For a long time there’s been a strong bond between the Netherlands and FC Barcelona, a bond that began with Johan Cruyff's. The man, the myth, the legend played for Barça between '73 and '78, and later, as a coach from 1988 to 1996, introduced the concept of Total Football, which became the basis of FC Barcelona's playing style. It's therefore no surprise that FC Barcelona enjoys a lot of popularity in the Netherlands. This sentiment has now culminated in a collaboration between Amsterdam-based streetwear brand Patta, FC Barcelona, and Nike.
The three-way partnership celebrates Barça fans and the international football community, heralding the next generation of Culers (FC Barcelona Supporters) del Món (Worldwide). The combined released collection features a Nike jersey for Barcelona players during warm-ups and other items like graphic track jackets and bottoms.
The associated campaign film, co-produced by Halal and Iconoclast and directed by Paul Geusebroek, visualizes the shared Barça spirit through a metaphor of the human heart and circulatory system, resonating with fans worldwide to the rhythm of 'Cant del Barça.'
If you're on this list, you likely work in advertising and might have already seen this film. If not, do watch it—some have described it as the embodiment of "soul" in advertising. Don't worry if you miss it now; you'll likely catch it in the next award season cycle.
2. Hoops Hype & Harmony
NBA's Editing Excellence and Reel Rhythms
Another riveting sports-related film that caught my eye last week is the ESPN promo for the new NBA season kicking off soon, titled 'The Time is Now.'
The craftsmanship in this film is stellar, particularly the editing that knits a compelling and frenetic visual style mirroring the unpredictable energy of the NBA. The atmospheric, pulsating sound by Nathan Micay "really ties the film together," to paraphrase the Big Lebowski.
Though nowhere near The Beautiful Game called football with a round ball, this film is a superb commercial for the sport of basketball… also played with a round ball.
3. The Slugfest Spectacle Showdown: Fury x Ngannou
Buzz Building Hype Heavyweights
And speaking of sports event promos.
The level of hype surrounding the upcoming cross-disciplinary bout between Tyson "The Gypsy King" Fury and Francis "The Predator" Ngannou is unparalleled.
Historically, boxing and martial arts events have thrived on hype. From the politically-driven buzz around Muhammad Ali to the current wave of YouTubers venturing into boxing—there's no shortage of anticipation. However, the hype, priced at $79.99 per pay-per-view, is not just about creating a buzz. As demonstrated in the mesmerizing promo shot for the fight… it's an art in itself.
The event features an official track and music video by Lil Baby, Skrillex, and Flowdan, adding another layer to the pre-fight exhilaration.
Love the track and music video, but love the promo film below even more. A film featuring Betty Chung's 你怎能瞞過我, better known as a Chinese rendition of Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).
Don’t know about you, but I’m hyped enough for October 28th's Battle of the Baddest!
4. Gigabyte Genius: Ghostwriter
The Algorithmic Artisan (Somewhat) Unveiled
In a recent exclusive with Billboard, Ghostwriter (Motor Cycle Hero), known for the viral AI-crafted song "Heart on My Sleeve" (Hey baby, baby, baby he's a-lookin' so cute), breaks his silence. His exploration into AI's role in music shakes the core of traditional songwriting, pointing towards a new horizon where technology and creativity entwine.
The gist of the interview: Ghostwriter's venture isn't just about creating tunes but pushing the boundaries of music, prodding at the edges of what constitutes authenticity in artistry. Or, as his manager states in the interview:
"I think the fact that Ghost's songs feel so much like the real thing and resonate so much with those fan bases, despite the artists not actually being involved, proves how important songwriters are to the succes of artists' projects."
I must admit, I was and am skeptic. AI voice filters seem like a fleeting novelty, lacking the essence that makes music resonate. However, Ghostwriter's story nudges at an exciting conundrum that piqued my interest: are we, the audience, in tune with the artist or the unseen songwriter? And as they morph into distinct entities due to AI, where does the essence of music truly reside, and to whom belong the spoils?
Full Billboard interview here.
5. Copyrights Against Reich
Trademark Tactics That Tackle Totalitarianism
You know what I hate almost as much as racism?
Neo-Nazis!
It's genuinely surprising that these individuals still exist. The skinhead, boots, and braces crowd, shouting Sieg Heil and racist slurs, feels like a relic from the '80s. In today's world, racism often takes on a more sophisticated disguise (hello, Thierry). But alas, the dimwits still persist.
Thankfully, the minds at Jung Von Matt have found an innovative way to combat them. Nazis have legally promoted their hateful ideologies thanks to the principles of free speech. I love free speech almost as much as I hate racism and Nazis. However, just because you can say something doesn't mean you should; secondly, you must find clever ways to combat hate free speech. This is where the agency and "Laut Gegen Nazis" come in.
By gaining control over the trademark rights to all sorts of coded messages and symbols, they can now take legal action against those who continue to sell items branded with these messages, sending a powerful message against hate and having a real financial impact on those involved.
Apart from my love for free speech and hatred against racism, I greatly appreciate these smart legal loopholes and clever actions. I genuinely hope this initiative works out as intended, making a dent in the armor of hate.
That's it for this edition!
I want to leave with one last thought.
I feel beyond heartbroken by what's happening in the Middle East. I'm shocked by the countless images and stories of inhumane acts causing human tragedy, and I'm overwhelmed by the tsunami of opposing and absolute truths coming my way through regular and social media.
No one experiences the world for what it is; everyone experiences the world for who they are.
The first step to a solution is de-escalation, and maybe we can find ways to start de-escalation at home, focusing on the one truth that I think we all experience: this suffering needs to end.
It reminds me of a Biohazard song that is a few decades old but, unfortunately, all too relevant.
Marcel