As hip hop culture marks its 50th anniversary this month, Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls is joining in the celebrations.
The Red Bulls unveiled their new hip hop-themed “Freestyle” third kit on Tuesday, August 1, “to celebrate the golden anniversary of Hip-Hop and the innovators of our region, who for the past five decades have been pushing the culture forward.”
“The third kit will honor the legacy of the pioneering MCs, DJs, Graffiti artists, Breakers and Beatboxers from the Empire State to the Garden State, and the lasting impact that Hip-Hop has had, and will continue to make, on our culture.”
— NewYorkRedBulls.com
The jersey is predominantly black with white and grey graffiti-style lettering covering the front, side panels and sleeves that includes phrases like “HIP HOP,” “NEW YORK,” “RED BULL” and the years 1973 and 2023.
The crew neck collar is solid black, while the Adidas shoulder stripes are red with grey borderlines. The Red Bull logo and the club crest on the chest are full-color, while other sponsor logos are red with black outlines. The back is solid black with a red club wordmark under the name and numbers.
The jersey also has grey taping down the sides and across the back hem, and it includes a jock tag that resembles the parental advisory label that the Recording Industry Association of America started putting on albums in 1987.
August 11, 1973, is recognized as the day hip hop culture was born. On this day, 18-year-old Clive Campbell — better known as DJ Kool Herc — debuted his merry-go-round technique while deejaying a back-to-school party with his younger sister Cindy. Playing two copies of the same song, he looped the drum breaks together to keep the beat going and the partygoers dancing.
That was the genesis of a cultural movement that grew to encompass rapping, turntablism, graffiti and breakdancing. This movement would influence artists across New York and all over the world.
“Hip-Hop represents a global movement that spans 50 years and has seen many different styles and approaches. The Freestyle kit design had to be raw and authentic. Our vision was to let all the imperfections show through, which in turn, makes it perfect,” said NYRB art director Kevin Maulbeck. “We decided on focusing on one of the pillars of Hip-Hop – graffiti – more specifically in this case, on the writing. During the design process, we kept in mind the walls, doors and trains in our area covered in graffiti and stickers. When people see this jersey, it’s my hope that they think it is loud and true. The inspiration goes far beyond New York Hip-Hop, but at its core, that’s exactly what it is: the local scene on display for the global audience.”
The Red Bulls are the second MLS team to launch a third kit this season; Toronto FC unveiled a Caribbean-themed kit in early July. Two more will be launched season, including Atlanta United, whose third kit is expected sometime in August.
The Red Bulls will wear their new third kit for the first time on Saturday, August 26, when they host Inter Miami CF and their new signing, Lionel Messi.
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