Outkast and UGA get ‘so fresh, so clean’ with new Nike collection

This week, Nike announced a limited-edition collaboration with André 3000, Big Boi, the University of Georgia and collegiate apparel brand, Class Trip.

Dubbed Outkast U, the collection celebrates the 30th anniversary of the duo’s landmark 1996 album, “ATLiens,” and Georgia’s first football showdown with Florida in Atlanta.

The Dawgs and Gators kick off at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The collection is the latest in a string of Atlanta-centered collaborations celebrating Outkast’s 30th anniversary. Earlier this month, the duo did a Waffle House drop, followed by an “ATLiens” collection with the Atlanta Falcons last week.

Highlights of the collection include a varsity jacket, satin bomber jacket, fleece hoodie, practice jerseys and caps. The apparel plays homage, not only to “ATLiens,” but the Outkast’s entire Hall of Fame discography.

There is also a T-shirt with the line, “Georgia Forever Ever,” a nod to André 3000’s classic quip from “Ms. Jackson.”

The collaboration grew from a conversation over lunch with Three Stacks.

“(André) was telling stories about driving up to Athens to watch the Dawgs,” Class Trip founder Brian Francis said in a statement. “Then we saw Georgia vs. Florida was headed to Atlanta for the first time ever. Georgia’s football and its music, together in the city that made Outkast. They put Atlanta on the map. This is our thank you.”

Nike and Class Trip’s designers drew inspiration from André and Big Boi’s evolving styles. The collection features hand-drawn graphics reading “So Fresh, Clean,” the OutKast crown atop Georgia’s “G” logo and the number 96 on every jersey.

When “ATLiens” dropped in 1996, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart was a safety playing alongside future Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Hines Ward.

“I think it’s great,” Smart told DawgNation. “It shows some of the history and blend of Atlanta and what Atlanta’s known for. That’s what they’re trying to highlight with Georgia-Florida being in Atlanta for the first time I know of. It’s really a cool opportunity to do that. Outkast is certainly a representative of it.”

On the field, when Georgia lines up against Florida on Saturday, some players will have skullcaps, wristbands, mouth guards and gloves from the collection.

Six Georgia football players with Nike NIL deals modeled the collection: cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, safety KJ Bolden, linebacker Chris Cole, tight ends Kaiden Prothro and Elyiss Williams and wide receiver Talyn Taylor.

“We wanted to create something as timeless as their music,” Class Trip creative director Jon Tietz said in statement. “Think of the ‘Roses’ video. André and Big Boi, two crews, two completely different styles, same school. The yin and the yang. Every piece had to feel like it walked right out of that hallway.”