Niko knows...CULTURE // Issue #24
What's going on in the #Nikoverse? ✨🪐 There's a ton of hip-hop, soccer, podcasts, basketball, football, and gaming happening. To sum it up: a lot of culture.
Yoo! Welcome back to #NikoKnows Culture – your go-to for culture, marketing, brand collabs & all things hype.
Here’s what’s popping this week:
K.Dot is playing big! The Super Bowl wasn’t just a game—it was Kendrick Lamar’s playground. Three albums in the Billboard 200 top 10? That’s GOAT status. Street Art Meets Soccer: Germany’s women’s national team just dropped a jersey straight out of a Berlin graffiti alley. Love it or hate it, it’s pure culture on the pitch.
Shirin David’s Pop Pivot: Is Schlau aber blond a feminist power move or just Y2K nostalgia? Depends who you ask.
The North Face Turns 40: The iconic Mountain Jacket gets a futuristic refresh—tech, style, and a touch of streetwear edge. Last but not least: First female athlete with a McDonald’s collab? Angel Reese stays winning. And her meal is as bold as her game.
All this and more in your dose of culture. Tap in!
Best, Niko
#NikoKnows…HIP HOP
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Surge: Three Albums in the Top 10
Kendrick Lamar has once again proven why he’s a dominant force in hip-hop. His latest album, GNX, has jumped from No. 4 to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, fueled by his electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance and the album’s long-awaited physical release.
But the Super Bowl effect didn’t stop there. Two of Lamar’s classics have also stormed back into the top 10: DAMN. (2017) leaped from No. 29 to No. 9, while good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) climbed from No. 27 to No. 10. This makes Kendrick the first rapper ever to hold three spots in the top 10 simultaneously since the Billboard 200 began in 1956—a record-breaking achievement that solidifies his place among hip-hop’s greatest.
#NikoKnows…SOCCER CULTURE
The DFB Women’s New Away Kit Brings Street Art to the Pitch
With just months to go before the Women’s Euro 2025, Adidas has unveiled the new away jersey for the German women’s national team, drawing inspiration from Germany’s vibrant street art culture. Unlike traditional kits, this one leans into urban aesthetics, featuring bold red and pink brushstrokes in a graffiti style—a nod to the colorful murals found in German cities. A bright yellow “Deutschland” print on the collar, designed to resemble spray paint, completes the edgy look.
The DFB women’s team will first wear the jersey in their Nations League match against Austria on February 25, with their Euro campaign kicking off on July 4 against Poland. Fans can get their hands on the new kit for 100 euros, while the authentic player version costs 150 euros. With its mix of culture, sport, and streetwear energy, this jersey is sure to turn heads both on and off the field.
#NikoKnows…HIP HOP
Shirin David’s ‘Schlau aber blond’: Feminist Anthem or Just Fun?
Shirin David’s latest album, ‘Schlau aber blond’, has split opinions. While some fans are vibing with the girly pop beats, others feel it’s a step away from the bold, feminist rap that made Bitches brauchen Rap such a statement. With 2000s-inspired hooks and playful lyrics, this album leans more into glam, luxury, and carefree energy than hard-hitting bars.
But is it feminist or just reinforcing old stereotypes? Lyrics about Pilates, “wifey” life, and beauty standards feel both self-empowering and oddly traditional. Shirin herself describes the album as a response to burnout, saying she’s choosing fun over frustration. And while women don’t owe anyone a feminist agenda, the debate proves one thing: Shirin David knows how to get people talking.
#NikoKnows…FASHION
The North Face Celebrates 40 Years of the Mountain Jacket
The Mountain Jacket has been a The North Face staple for four decades, blending high-tech weather protection with street-ready aesthetics. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the brand has dropped a limited-edition capsule featuring four reimagined styles—each infused with new colors, patterns, and the latest fabric technology.
The standout piece? The DRYVENT Mono Mountain Jacket, featuring a topographic print with geometric grids and icy camo tones. Meanwhile, the Mountain Wind Jacket, made with WINDWALL technology, delivers next-level wind resistance in mocha brown and periwinkle blue—a nod to classic color-block designs. Whether for the city or the slopes, this drop proves that The North Face’s legacy is far from over.
#NikoKnows…BASKETBALL
Angel Reese x McDonald’s: A Game-Changing First for Female Athletes
Angel Reese is redefining what it means to be a sports icon. The Chicago Sky superstar just made history by becoming the first female athlete to land a national McDonald’s meal collaboration—a major win for women’s sports and a nod to her growing influence both on and off the court.
Introducing: The Angel Reese Special. Dropping February 10, this limited-time combo features a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, fries, and a drink—a bold, flavor-packed meal that reflects Reese’s unapologetic confidence and standout style.
For Reese, this isn’t just a sponsorship—it’s full-circle. “McDonald’s has always been a big part of my life,” she shared in a press release. From childhood McChicken runs to being named a McDonald’s All American in 2020, her connection to the brand runs deep. “It’s really a dream come true to be the first-ever female athlete to have my own meal and be a part of McDonald’s amazing basketball legacy,” she said. “I hope the Angel Reese Special inspires young athletes everywhere to never give up on pursuing their dreams.”
But McDonald’s isn’t stopping at the food. This collab is also about basketball culture, paying tribute to legends, rising stars, and the brand’s deep roots in the sport. Expect exclusive content celebrating McDonald’s hoops legacy, dropping alongside the meal.