Amine’s Performative Male Ad Teases New Balance ABZORB 2000 Matcha Collaboration
Published
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 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.
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 will be released in the coming weeks through Amine’s Club Banana, New Balance, and possibly select retailers online and in-store. Check below for some still images from the advertisement, 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
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
