KID CUDI, ROSTAM OF VAMPIRE WEEKEND AND BEST COAST
JOIN FORCES TO CREATE GENRE-BLENDING NEW MUSIC COLLABORATION

In the file is the final updated release, the final album art and photos of the artists in the studio as well.

http://www.mediafire.com/?h2wekymjqey

The behind-the-scenes video of the artists in the studio is up on the converse youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/conversegallery

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (July 8, 2010) – Today, Converse announces that it has brought together three of music’s most influential artists – critically acclaimed rapper Kid Cudi, Rostam of XL Records hotly-tipped band Vampire Weekend, and indie-darling Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast – for the new single in the iconic brands Three Artists. One Song collaboration. The three musicians have joined forces to create the brand new, original track “All Summer” which is available to music fans globally starting today via free download at converse.com and authorized Converse websites around the world.

“When you throw three creative people together it can be tough and nerve racking to get the artistic gears going,” said Kid Cudi. “But we ended up vibing really well and I was totally pleased with the end result, a huge summer record for EVERYONE to rock out to. EVERYONE!”

For the song, Kid Cudi, Rostam and Best Coast entered the studio as three separate artists and have emerged a fully-recognized collaborative trio. “All Summer” was produced by Rostam and is the product of three dynamic artists weaving together their individual musical styles and the result is a summer-ready innovative track.

“Our commitment to being a catalyst for creativity is central to the Converse brand,” said Geoff Cottrill, Chief Marketing Officer of Converse. “It is exciting to be able to bring Kid Cudi, Rostam, and Best Coast together to create an original piece of music that blends their musical styles in a fresh and unique way. These artists are all at different stages in their careers and at the forefront of creating innovative music so it was no surprise that the single came out as great as it did. We couldn’t be more proud to have a role in making this track come to life.”

Converse has a long and rich history of championing artistic creativity and supporting the worlds of music, sport, art and fashion. This song marks the second in the Three Artists, One Song initiative. The first track “My Drive Thru” was released in 2008 and was a collaboration between Pharrell Williams of N.E.R.D., Santigold, and Julian Casablancas (The Strokes). The debut of the music video on MySpace.com, YouTube.com and other leading outlets resulted in more than 750,000 video streams in the first four days, a #1 spot on the Top 10 most viral videos on the internet (according to viralvideochart.com) and a multi-media advertising campaign supporting the single’s release.

“Being given a chance to work with Kid Cudi and Rostam was really awesome,” said Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino. “I was really excited when I was asked to be a part of this project, plus Converse rules and their shoes are comfy.”

All Summer – The Line Up:

Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi is a Brooklyn-based rapper from Cleveland whose debut single, “Day ‘n’ Nite,” became an online favorite in 2008. Born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in suburban Cleveland, his career took off after he moved to Brooklyn and became affiliated with Fool’s Gold. The label released the Day ‘n’ Nite EP in February 2008 and circulated a  HYPERLINK “http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/crookers/id219970227″ \o “http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/crookers/id219970227″ Crookers remix around the blogosphere, drumming up a good deal of buzz in the process. It didn’t hurt that Kid Cudi began to receive increasing press attention, including a nod from Rolling Stone (which touted him among the magazine’s Top Five best indie hip-hop artists of 2008). As the remixed version of “Day ‘n’ Nite” climbed the U.K. singles charts, Kid Cudi readied the release of his full-length album debut Man on the Moon: The End of Day in September 2009 on Universal Motown.

Best Coast
Bethany Cosentino is a Los Angeles native with a brief stay in Brooklyn, and Best Coast’s influences reflect just that – West Coast vibe meets East Coast ‘60s girl group. Best Coast is brought to life with the help of her long-time friend/guitarist/producer Bobb Bruno and guest drummer Ali Koehler (Vivian Girls). The pair have received heaps of critical praise from editorial publications including Pitchfork, who named their “When I’m With You” single “Best New Music”, Spin, Paste, Nylon and The Guardian. The band have proven themselves to be more than a summer’s fling while releasing a series of 7-inches with PPM Recordings, Black Iris, Art Fag, Group Tightener and future releases on Eskuche and more. Best Coast is currently wrapping production on their debut full-length due out later this year.

Rostam
Rostam is the multi-instrumentalist/vocalist in Vampire Weekend. He is one of the band’s songwriters, and also the band’s producer. His eclectic contribution is key to the band’s original sound. He has adopted the BOYS LIKE US moniker for his non-Vampire Weekend activities. Rostam’s first venture under the Boys Like Us name is that of remixer.

About Converse
Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel.  Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 51 company-owned retail locations in the U.S.  For more information, visit Converse on the web at  HYPERLINK “http://www.converse.com/” www.converse.com.

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Press Contact:

Melissa Garbayo
Converse
646-563-7455 /  HYPERLINK “mailto:melissa.garbayo@converse.com” melissa.garbayo@converse.com

Keith Gulla