Listen: Frank Ocean, Diplo and members of Clash team for ‘Hero’
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What do you get when you combine Frank Ocean, Diplo and two former members of the Clash?
A nifty new song -- and some Internet hype for a youth-attuned shoemaker.
Released Monday as a free download, “Hero” is the latest installment in Converse’s “Three Artists. One Song” promotion, which previously teamed Julian Casablancas, Pharrell Williams and Santigold, as well as Best Coast, Kid Cudi and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij, among others. (Evidently this time the company is counting Mick Jones and Paul Simonon -- each of whom has built his own career since his days in the Clash -- as one artist.)
“Working with Mick and Paul was a dream come true,” Diplo said in a statement, adding that “it got even better” with the inclusion of Ocean. “The experience was just totally awesome.”
PHOTOS: Unexpected musical collaborations
“Hero” is perhaps slightly less awesome than that, but with a stuttering soul-rock groove, Ocean’s laidback delivery and some cute group vocals by the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir, the tune cancels out whatever queasy feelings you might have about being marketed to by the Clash. Well, almost.
Have a listen below.
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Twitter: @mikaelwood
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