NIKE AIR FORCE 1 與嘻哈音樂

在美國青少年的穿著中對於 AIR FORCE 1 擁有極高的認同感,籃球-嘻哈與 AIR FORCE 1 之間擁有微妙而緊密的連動關係,根深蒂固的街頭形象也是其經典地位的基礎之一,近期最讓人印象深刻的莫過於2007年在紐約所舉辦了 1 Night Only 盛大派對之中鞋款與音樂元素的結合,其實歷年來陸陸續續有幾首歌曲都與 AIR FORCE 1 有關,藉著這些作品的旋律與歌詞,我們得以描繪構建出了屬於球鞋世代的整體意象。

在 NIKE 1 Night Only 活動中的大壓軸,就是由這四位嘻哈界重量級樂手的合作演出,每一位都擁有相當地位的四位高手一起以「CLASSIC」為名的歌曲傳達出 AIR FORCE 1 的經典地位,是喜歡 AIR FORCE 1 的朋友絕對要熟悉的歌曲。

"CLASSIC"

KANYE WEST, RAKIM, KRS-ONE, NAS & DJ PREMIER: CLASSIC

[Hook: Samples]
[Sample]
"And now for my next number.."
"I'd like to return to the.."
[Nas] "Classic"
[Kanye West] "uh, uh, - timeless.."
[Kool G Rap] "Live straight classic"
[Nas] "Classic"
[Kool G Rap] "Live..Live..Live.. straight classic"
[Kanye West] "Timeless.."
[Sample] "I'd like to return to the classic"
[Rakim] "Kanye West"

[Rakim Sample] "I'm Rakim, the fiend of a microphone.."

[Verse 1: Rakim]
Uh, yea, is y'all ready for 20-07?
It's now another drought
Everybody's a killer, why are we buggin' out
Since '86 showin' the crowd what I'm about
And they still wanna know when the album comin' out
Ask the teenagers, OG's, and ask the kids
What their definition of "classic" is
Timeless, so age don't count in the booth
When your flow stay submerged in the fountain of youth
Ain't no doubtin' the truth, I'm off the meters
Everybody cosignin', even non-believers
Since I came in the door became one of y'all leaders
*從我進門成了你們(饒舌)的領袖
In a fresh pair Air Force One sneakers
*穿著我新鮮的AF1
Uptowns, we call 'em uppies, when they're on divas
*我們叫他uptwons
*女神穿叫uppies
Probably worn when KRS-One teaches
*大概KRS-ONE也穿他教課(KRS的身分地位堪稱嘻哈導師)
Nas made you look before the heaters
*Nas穿著在hater面前唱著made you look(2002, nas經典單曲)
I bet you Kan' had 'em on when he walked with Jesus
*我賭Kanye你也穿著他和耶穌走(2003, Yeezy經典單曲)

[Hook Samples]

[Verse 2: Kanye West]
You can't buy this Superfly-ness
Like a shine is, your highness
*你買不到, 穿這超炫, 像會發亮, 很高貴...(唱出對AF1的恭維)
Is performin', look how long the line is
It's what happens when you make shit that's timeless
It's what happens, these rappers is the pioneers
What do it take to be a legend like Nas is?
That's so novice, I'm so polished
I got a right to be a 'lil bit snobbish
I did a 'lil bit of college
Semesters, it took two like Rob Base
To let me figure out this wasn't my place
The beat's slow, 'til you listen to my pace
Cause I be killin' shit, but that's evident
And y'all feelin' it, but I expected it
If it's classic, it's gon' last forever then
I'm everywhere you never been, and better than I ever been

[Hook: Samples]
[Nas]
"Classic"
[Kool G Rap]
"Live straight classic"
[Nas]
"I'm better than I've ever been"
[Kanye West]
"Timeless.."
[Kanye West]
"I'm everywhere you never been, and better than I ever been"
[Nas]
"Classic"
[Kool G Rap]
"Live straight..straight classic.."
[Nas]
"I'm better than I've ever been"
[Kanye West]
"Timeless.."

[Nas Samples - One Love & It Ain't Hard To Tell]
"Hold the fort down, represent to the fullest"
"Nas'll rock well"

[Verse 3: Nas]
Perseverance..
See the fake hustler rapper
To them, it hurts to hear this
Oh you went platinum? Yeah, that's nice
Now let me see you do the same thing twice
Three times, four times, then a couple of mo' times
Please, you're Amateur Night, it's Showtime
It's one life to live, so live it the best you can
The world could use one less man
Not enough air, not enough car factories
To manufacture new vehicles, sedans and vans
When they do make the whip you like, your chips ain't right
By the time you could afford it, the car ain't important
In the streets I'm in, it's just iron
Cops keep firin', in my environment
Leavin' you slumped, then they drive home
Far from the hood, brothers they eager to jump on
I like to be the wall that they toast up on
I like to see them fall, guilty for doin' wrong
I'm classic like the Air One's, the hustler shoe
*我像AF1般經典, 習慣穿這hustler(爲了生存而努力於各領域的人的統稱)鞋......
That's what I'm accustomed to.. yea

[Hook: Samples]

[KRS-One Sample]
"Of course - we have Blastmaster KRS-One"

[Verse 4: KRS-One]
How many of y'all got Criminal Minded?
You, you, you, y'all don't be blinded
Me - I got no jewels on my neck
Why? - I don't need 'em, I got your respect
KRS-One, 20 years I rock
I do it for JMJ and Scott La Rock
This hip-hop and we's a nation
Don't you wanna hear more KRS-One on your radio station?
Instead of broadcasting how we smoke them trees
On the radio we need to hear more local emcees
Where you at?, c'mon where you at?
This is the difference between emceein' and rap
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal
Emcees spit rhymes to uplift their people
Peace, Love, Unity, havin' fun
These are the lyrics of KRS-One..
*KRS-One 整段歌詞與 AIR FORCE 1 無直接關係, 但因 KRS 有其嘻哈饒舌的歷史地位, 基本上他這個人站出來就是經典(跟AF1一樣), 所以找他站台就是塊 CLASSIC 的活招牌

[Hook: Samples]
[All]
"These are classics"
[Kool G Rap]
"Live straight classic, classic.."
[Nas]
"I'm better than I've ever been"
[Kanye West]
"Timeless.."
[Kanye West]
"I'm everywhere you never been, and better than I ever been"
[Nas]
"Classic"
[Kool G Rap]
"Live straight..straight classic.."
[Nas]
"I'm better than I've ever been"
[Kanye West]
"Timeless.."
[Kanye West]
"I'm everywhere you never been, and better than I ever been"
[Nas]
"Classic"
[Kool G Rap]
"Live straight..straight classic.."
[Rakim]
"Air Force One's, keep it poppin', classic.."
AF1是(球鞋/NIKE)永恆經典

除了為活動所譜的 CLASSIC 之外,其實早在2002年便由 Nelly 與 St. Lunatics 共同創作了這首 Air Force Ones,大受歡迎的程度讓這首歌在 U.S. Billboard 中也獲得了第三名的好成績,曲中字詞可以說徹徹底底地表達了 Nelly 和 St. Lunatics 表明對AF1的喜愛,Give Me Two Pairs (cause) I Need Two Pairs!


"Air Force Ones"

by Nelly

[Intro]
Big boy.. Big boy.. Big boy

[Chorus]
I said give me two pairs
(cause) I need two pairs
*給我來兩雙!因為我一次需要買兩雙!
So I can get to stomping in my air force ones
(Big boys) stomping in my air force ones
這樣我就能爽快地踩著我的 air force 1 了!

[Nelly]
I like the all white high top strap with the gum bottom
*我喜歡全白高統綁帶牛奶糖底的(AF1)……
(Big boy) there's something bout them that's dirty why I got 'em
(Big boy) I leave um strapped and laced and come up out um
(Big Boy) the last person who touched 'em I been shot 'em (big boy)

[Kyjuan]
Now if you looked, and seen lime green forces and kiwi
(Big boy) you couldn't get this color if you had a personal genie
(Big boy) you now I keep it hip-hop
My niggas flip flop
(Big boy) yea my force ones and tip top
(Me) now form a flip flop, (big boy)

[Ali]
I like the limited edition to kaki and army green
(Big boy) patent leather pin stripe you should see how I do the strings
(Big boy) size twelve with the strap
Red and white with a cardinal cap
(Big boy) all flavors well it just depend
on when and (don't get me) where I am at (Big boy)

[Murphy Lee]
Don't get me wrong man
And Murphy lee ain't dumb man
(Big boy) cause if the shoe is on the shelf you should have some man
(Big boy) you can not sit up and tell me that you have none man
(Big boy) you may not have three or four but you got one man (big boy)

[Chorus x2]

[Murphy Lee]
We up in footlocker I'm looking like I need those
(Big boy) ten in a half and if you got em give me two of those
(Big boy) I can tell she never seen Murphy Lee before
(Big boy) cause shes just standing there as if I'm shooting free throws
(Big boy) I said excuse me miss I only wanna buy shoes
(Big boy) she said I love you Murph especially in the white in blue
(Big boy) I said the white in blue sound nice make it twice
(Big boy) and I signed an (yo) autograph
(yo) "thanks for the advice" (big boy)

[Ali]
I keep it real dirty, dirty you know how I do
(Big boy) purple in gold with the Lakers the broncos the orange in blue
(Big boy) I like em floppy with ankle socks
lows mids and high tops, (big boy) With the clear sole,
But this tims and fat laces with it is cold
(Big boy) but when the winter goes (blhhha) and the hot summer flows
(Big boy) then its back to the all purpose with em and dots in the toe
(Big boy) then I'm stopping this dough that I'm spending fa sure
(Big boy) on them Nike air force "N" "E" behind the "O" (big boy)

[Kyjuan]
O.. k li, I treat my shoe like my ride
(Big boy) chrome on the fat laces at what wood on the inside
(Big boy) spray candy on the swoosh
With the electric poofs
(Big boy) since I put a kit on the sole now I got a wider shoe
(Big boy) you see that low misk with the purple coop I'm driving them
(Big boy), (Kyjuan, where you getting them colors, are you dying them)
(Big boy) ten is my size in them
No point in tiein them
(Big boy) ain't no point in trying these on
You know I'm buying them (big boy)

[Nelly]
Now don't nothing get the hype on first site like, white on whites
(Big boy) them three quarters them lows they all tyte
(Big boy) the only problem they only good for one night
(Big boy) cause once you scuff um you fucked up your whole night
(Big boy) whats my basis? The look up sto on his faces
(Big boy) this kids outrageous hes buying them by the cases
(Big boy) cause once I cop um gut um and switch the laces
(Big boy) they all purpose ya heard me kinda like my Dayton's (big boy)

[Chorus x2]

[Kyjuan]
I wore spurs at first now theres tape on them
(Big Boy) damn, when those come out so I write the date on them
(Big Boy) these Louies Vuitton ones, you gotta wait on them
(Big boy) I had to get em early so I spent more cake on them (big boy)
這邊提到的 Louies Vuitton 是客製的版本,在沒有網路、資訊不便利的年代時,大家看圖說故事的情形被被誤傳為是官方合作的夢幻逸品

[Murphy Lee]
Look I'm trying to keep it up like a one minute man
(Big boy) while Ali on the Kawasaki two head bands
(Big boy) jewelry and all
(Wow) fish bowl in the mall
(Big Boy), (I got some fifteens) security buying shoes and all (big boy)

[Nelly]
Now some time I get em free some time I gotta pay
(Big boy) walk in the mall and they now what I'm bout to say
(Big boy) gimme the black and platinum, and leather gray
(Big boy) ones in the back and (yo)
the pair you got on display (check), (big boy)

[Ali]
Now were the boxes were I keep mine (keep mine)
You should beep mine (big boy), (beep mine)
Maybe once or twice but never three times
(Big boy) I'm just a sneaker pro
I love pumas and shell toes
(Big boy) but cant nothing compare to a fresh crispy white pair (big boy)
不過沒有什麼能夠比得上全白Force

[Chorus x2]

Big boy.. Big boy.. Big boy

其實這首歌並沒有放太多在鞋款本身的直接描述上,但是可以從這首歌感受到 AIR FORCE 1 在歌手 Young Jeezy 生活中扮演的重要角色,一開始從他從以前開著老式雪芙蘭(64年Impala, 嘻哈喜愛的經典款式)講起,從街頭的一個無名小族到現在開著敞篷保時捷的火紅饒舌名人, 他始終穿著全黑t恤、全黑AF1、戴著棒球帽,沒有改變,而一般人是沒辦法理解一路走來他所經歷過的艱困.....


"Air Force"

by Young Jeezy

"Air Forces"

I went from old school Chevy's to drop top porches
You couldn't walk a mile off in my Air Forces
And you ain't seen what I've seen
I can get a 100,000 in these Sean John jeans
I went from old school Chevy's to drop top porches
And you ain't did what I did
If you from where I'm from you gotta get how you live

Everybody already know jeezy real street nigga
Every time you see me all around street niggaz
I hope you got yours I keep mine
In the club blowing dro throwing up gang signs
And you already know dog
745 back to back me and O dog
These other niggaz is jokers
What they rein up wit I spent it up all the strokers
In one night eight bitches sipped bottles of cris
Forty grand sit back so you can glance my wrist
Keep bread so we carry dem toaster
But keep back though my earrings ferocious
It's not just my imagination
I'm the one in the topic in yo conversation
Jack boyz say they gon rob
But on the real fuck niggaz y'all don't want these problems

[Chorus]

Black tees, black ones, and a fitted cap
The Mack 11 make me walk wit a crazy dap
Y'all say we country niggaz yee-haw
The money comin back and forth like a seesaw
And y'all ain't never seen what we saw
Stacks of twenty dollar bills, bricks, or white rolls
What they got Lil Pha we don't care bout shit
Ludacris how they ride out twenty wit dem bricks
Shit I spit it for y'all
On the real my niggaz shit I spit it for y'all
Who gives a fuck about friends?
If you mix the baking soda wit it you can get a Benz
While y'all robbing and boosting
I'm standing over the stove like the chef in Houston
And it's not about the flip mane
Want the real bread it's all about your whip game

[Chorus]

在2007年時,台灣的馬念先為了 AIR FORCE ONE 25 週年的活動創作了這首「新球鞋男孩夢」,詞曲可說精準擊中了大家在青少年時期那追逐球鞋的心情,不少朋友即使是早已進入職場仍然對這首歌中的情節有著深刻感受。


"新球鞋男孩夢"

by 馬念先

時間回到1986年 一個不用補習的下午應該是星期天
搭著還有車掌小姐的公車來到西門町的萬年
沒有多餘時間可以讓我浪費 直接快步衝向二樓的球鞋店
就像回教徒來到阿拉的聖殿
我能清清楚楚背下所有球鞋的價錢 就好像默寫九九乘法表般的準確
老闆問我要看幾遍 略帶不耐煩的口氣聽了真的很討厭
不過還好這次我的口袋裡有錢 存了半年一切就是為了今天
潘朵拉的寶盒從倉庫拿出來 打開
白底藍勾勾住我的心坎兒
神聖的空氣在這一刻 瀰漫
我像灰姑娘一樣坐在沙發上試穿 幾個同好羨慕的圍觀
老闆爽歪歪 現金馬上進口袋 心裡暗中盤算
這個傢伙最近應該不會再來煩
不過老闆老闆如果下個星期不用補習 我還是會準時出席
依然站在這裡望著牆壁問你一些其實我心裡通通都有答案的問題

西門町其實充滿危險 出了門遇到幾個混冰宮的少年
我的身高比他們高一些 但是我的長相一看就是好欺負的臉
沒辦法 又被他們勒索了一點 不過還好他們沒有發現我的新球鞋
因為他們很俗 他們不懂 他們早熟 他們只想拿點錢去打司諾克

回到家 打開鞋盒用力聞一下 爽~ 新球鞋的味道比麥當勞還香
把鞋帶一格一格穿上 這種滿足感是旁人無法想像
吃完晚餐 全家在客廳看五燈獎 我把房門輕輕帶上 假裝讀書
其實是在和球鞋做最深層的感情培養 啊
和它說話 把它拿上書架 再放到地上 又拿上書桌 再擺回地上
像個傻瓜 不知不覺就這樣進入夢鄉

第二天坐校車上學 知道早自習要考數學 什麼都不會 手心開花待會又是難免
不過那又怎樣 車窗外的陽光超乎我的想像 三角函數 物理化學
我只期待體育課換上我的新球鞋奮力一跳 摸到籃框 縱橫全場無人能檔
就像我的超級偶像Charles barkly 一樣

[Chorus]
男孩的新球鞋 期待夢想會實現 時間一直往前 夢想沒有改變


回到現實的2007年
工作佔去大部分的時間 難得忙裡偷閒 開著我的 紅色跑車來到西門町的萬年
下意識的反應 我直接衝向二樓的球鞋店
老闆還在 還是那張臭臉 不過對我來說好像多了一份親切
畢竟真的只有他陪著我度過了我那段最青澀的童年
繁忙的人潮 擁擠的街道 夕陽濫情的照 彷彿真的感到歲月催人老
掛在牆上琳瑯滿目的鞋 臨走前還是忍不住想要多看一眼
驚鴻一瞥 瞥到幾個駐足少年 渴望的表情面對老闆機車的臉
畫面就像回到從前 時光倒流 把我帶回1986年

[Chorus]
經典 經典 不會畫上句點 變與不變 鞋的size不變 只有身材一直變…