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If you’re maybe a bit too chronically online (it’s ok to admit it, a lot of us are), you know the recent trend of the “performative male,” a matcha-sipping, book-reading, Clairo-listening man who is likely into these things to pick up women. Well, rapper Amine decided to poke fun at the trend in a new advertisement for his upcoming collaboration with New Balance, which his Club Banana imprint teased last week. In the cheeky advert, you can spot a vibrant matcha green sneaker on Amine’s feet, which happens to be the New Balance ABZORB 2000.
Sitting down for a cup of matcha and reading a book entitled “Most Amazing Women Of All Time,” Amine’s drink decides to speak back to him and remind him that he’s not “aura farming,” he’s just a 31-year-old who is pretending to read. The shot then pans over to a billboard that reads “Stop Performative Reading. Your Matcha Will Understand” and offers a message to donate your books to “La Biblioteca” (the library). Jokes aside, this encouragement is for a book drive hosted by New Balance and Amine, taking place at 207 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Portland, Oregon, from now until September 10.
The original shot isn’t clear enough to fully reveal the sneakers Amine has on his feet, but the New Balance ABOZRB 2000 is easily identifiable. The heel of ABZORB SBS midsole can be seen on his right foot, while the asymmetrical screenprinted toebox overlay is visible on the left. The pair itself is drenched in matcha green shades and accented by cream and black hits on the sole unit.
Later, Amine revealed the entire sneaker and the packaging for the Biblioteca-inspired design. The engineered mesh and screenprinted upper are done in varying green hues, with added Club Banana branding found on the heel and on the tongue. Inside sits a custom library card with nods to Club Banana. Final details include a glow-in-the-dark finish on portions of the upper and a custom book depository-inspired box.
New Balance first introduced the ABZORB 2000 to the world back in June with a Baby Blue colorway. Sole Retriever was fortunate enough to sit down with Charlotte Lee, the designer behind the Y2K, Viz-tech-influenced sneaker, who broke down the full design influence and process behind the creation of the sneaker. Since the first drop, the model has appeared in a handful of GR options, while Joe Freshgoods has been the only collaborator to work on the model thus far.
The Amine x New Balance ABZORB 2000 Biblioteca will be released via Club Banana on October 3, 2025. A wider release will take place on October 9. Check below for detailed images of the sneaker, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Amine
In the mean time, we'll be jammin' out.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
