Nike and Chance the Rapper create uplifting music video to celebrate USA Basketball
In a year that’s been marked by a tumultuous presidential election and mass shootings, Nike is hoping to bring a sense of pride back to America via the Olympics with a music video that celebrates both the women’s and men’s USA Basketball teams.
The black-and-white film features an original song that Chance the Rapper wrote for the ad called “We The People,” a nod to the first three words of the United States Constitution. In the ad, which was directed by Hiro Murai, Chance the Rapper sings while footage of the athletes is projected onto houses and buildings.
According to Wieden + Kennedy New York, the agency behind the ad, “We The People” is meant to serve as an “anthem our national teams could call their own.” The song will be available on iTunes and SoundCloud starting August 11 and will be on Spotify beginning August 12.
Aside from the video, Nike tapped music photographer Danny Clinch to shoot the official Olympics USA Basketball team photo, marking the first time that both the men’s and women’s teams have appeared in the picture together.
Wieden + Kennedy New York’s counterpart in Portland has also created a number of Nike ads for the Olympics, including one that celebrates the achievements of transgender athlete Chris Mosier.