With full-on football (aka soccer) mania about to consume the minds and hearts of billions around the globe, The FADER wanted to express what the sport means to us. Faced with that seemingly daunting task, we decided to focus on what we know—music, art and culture—and view the game through the creative endeavors inspired by it. To that end, The FADER has joined with Nike Sportswear to present our collaborative project, Pitch Perfect.
Starting on June 1, 2010, and stretching over the next several weeks, we will give you new music from all over the world via continental mixtapes made by top selectors, limited edition screen-printed posters inspired by football’s global reach, and, best of all, a special documentary series filmed in South Africa by The FADER crew as football fans deluge the country. While we’re there, Nike Sportswear and The FADER will present a live music event on June 16 at Nike’s brand new Football Training Center in Soweto, featuring artists from all over Africa, that will also be streamed live on nikesportswear.com and thefader.com/pitchperfect so that all those who couldn’t make it to South Africa can feel like they did.
June 16 will mark the 34th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, when young people spoke out and marched against the government and its attempts to divide South Africa’s people based on the color of their skin. The day has since become a national holiday for all of South Africa to recognize the importance of confronting its greatest challenges. In 2010, that challenge is HIV, and Youth Day will be committed to engaging the disease and defeating it, not just in South Africa, but all over the world. Our event, with creative workshops, educational speakers, HIV testing at the Nike Football Training Center's (NIKE) RED-sponsored clinic, and the aforementioned concert, will be our attempt to pitch in.
Pitch Perfect is Nike Sportswear and The FADER’s celebration of South Africa, Africa as a whole, and football in general. To billions around the world, football is much more than a game played on a pitch—it’s life. It inspires in people a desire to achieve and to represent where they are from to the best of their abilities. It’s a part of everything they do and make, and this is every South African’s chance to show us what they got.