'Freestyle' 2.0: Nike's Rhythmic Spot Starring Kyrie Irving and Questlove Channels Classic Ad

R/GA's Spot Promoting Kyrie 3 Shoe Throws Some Serious Beats Down

Published On
Jan 05, 2017

Editor's Pick

Remember "Freestyle"? Nike's now classic ad, directed by Paul Hunter and created out of Wieden & Kennedy, Portland turned b-ball players' moves on the court into a hip-hop symphony -- the sounds of their dribbles and squeaks on the parquet merging to create a catchy, rhythmic track.

Nike has returned with another film, "Improv," which seems to channel the "Freestyle" spirit, This time, however, it's a duet between Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving and musician Questlove of The Roots. The spot opens on the court with Questlove at the drums. As he throws down his beats, Irving responds with his own "music," made by the sound of his dribbles and the shifting of his shoes. At times, it seems like a face-off, but their sounds ultimately intertwine to create an impressive, singular track that culminates with a Irving's successful lay-up and Questlove's smash of the cymbal.

The ad promotes the Kyrie 3 shoe and was created out of R/GA L.A. and directed by the Hoffman Bros. "The Kyrie 3 'Improv' spot was born out of an insight on Kyrie's game and how he attacks every cut at his own speed and tempo," said an R/GA spokesperson. "Both music and basketball thrive on balancing a controlled rhythm and an improvisational flow. Pairing him with another master of improvisation, Questlove, was meant to help strengthen that insight and show how you can create greatness by playing the game your own way."

Credits

Date
Jan 05, 2017
Brand :
Nike
Client :
Nike
Agency :
R/GA - LA
Director :
Hoffman Bros.
Executive Creative Director :
Brandon Mugar
Vice President/Executive Creative Director :
Sammi Needham
Creative Director :
Jack Jensen
Creative Director :
Frank Dattalo
Senior Art Director :
Josh Kopeika
Senior Copywriter :
Newton Stern
Vice President, Strategy :
Jessica Greenwood
Executive Producer :
Warren Kinney
Senior Producer :
Chris Lockett
Executive Production Director :
Kat Friis
Senior Content Producer :
Ashlye Vaughan

Need a credit fix? Contact the Creativity Editors

Project Type