Introducing the new anthem of the A-Leagues: Real Nice (H.C.T.F.), an exciting rhythm to mark the fresh era of football in Australia and coinciding with the start of the 2021/22 season.
The music track partnership with artists Young Franco & Tkay Maidza, featuring Nerve, is part of a broader move to bridge the gap between football and culture, engaging a wider audience to the A-Leagues across Australia.
The collaboration is designed to generate awareness and engagement with the A-Leagues among a broader group of next generation Australian football fans, who share a passion for the game and modern culture. The track and accompanying music video is part of a campaign, Here Come the Future, that brings together emerging Australian talent – from footballers, to artists, musicians and choreographers.
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The music video for Real Nice (H.C.T.F.) features 2020 ALeague Men’s Champions Melbourne City FC winger Marco Tilio, and Sydney FC and Australian Matildas goalkeeper Jada Whyman, inspiring every person to play their own way on and off the field.
The world-first full version of the video will be played before kick-off of the Isuzu UTE A-League derby between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at CommBank Stadium on Saturday evening and will be included in the Ten pre-game coverage.
“We’ve stated our ambition to reimagine the football experience for fans in Australia and this collaboration, and broader campaign, are testament to the vision. ‘Here Come the Future’ captures the essence of the future of Australian football and has the ability to reach millions of people,” Director, Marketing & Data of the ALeagues, Rob Nolan commented.
“We already know that there is a significant crossover between football and culture amongst our existing fans on social media, so this cultural collaboration was the perfect fit
“We were excited to work with Young Franco, Tkay Maidza and Nerve who are exploding on the global music scene right now, and with Marco and Jada, who are stars of the ALeagues and have been great sports to get involved. We love the intersection of the next generation of homegrown musicians, the future of football and a new audience connecting and uniting around a common purpose.”
When considering development of the project, the artists were the perfect talent to play a critical role in bringing the track to life as the two young Australian artists represent the next generation of up-and-coming homegrown musicians as well as being committed football fans.
The Real Nice (H.C.T.F.) collaboration comes from the producer mastermind behind last year’s global smash ‘Fallin’ apart’, Young Franco. “As an avid football fan and club player, to get the call up to write this song for the ALeagues was a dream come true. Football and music are two of the biggest passions in my life and to be a part of this project feels like the best of both worlds. It’s been incredible to work with such a great team I’ve been a huge fan of Tkay and Nerve for a long time and to finally get on a track together to create something we are all really proud of has been amazing,” said Young Franco.
Tkay Maidza, a genre-bending lyricist who has amassed millions of fans around the world with her latest EP ‘Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3’, comes off the back of 2 ARIA nominations this year for best Soul/R&B release and Best Video respectively. She recalls her own story of the game; “I used to play football when I was younger and remember it being my first favourite sport to play. I’ve grown up around football my whole life thanks to my family – it’s really crazy to be given this opportunity!”
Brisbane’s grime artist and emcee Nerve, said: “It’s an honour to be on a track with Franco and Tkay, and an honour to support the ALeagues, which I had dreams of playing in as a kid … Can’t wait to hear this play in stadiums and on the field.”
ALeagues Chief Commercial Officer, Ant Hearne added: “This is a revolutionary moment for Football in Australia. As we continue to grow and build on our new brand and this new era we are creating, this track speaks volumes about the professional direction we are heading in and the incredible opportunities that lie ahead for our men’s and women’s leagues.
“Our Leagues continue to offer a professional pathway for footballers of all cultures to excel and this collaboration encourages the next generation to both look at and participate in football in a totally new way.”
Focusing on celebrating the new modern era of the global game, Real Nice (H.C.T.F.) has the young audiences at its heart, celebrating incredible Australian talent in music as well as football and football fans across the country.
