NBA 2K15 News Post

Pharrell Williams to Curate NBA 2K15 Soundtrack - Official Cover Art Revealed

08:18 AM - July 15, 2014 by Steve_OS

2K has announced Pharrell Williams will curate the soundtrack for NBA 2K15. The full soundtrack will be released later this summer. Billboard has stated songs from System of a Down and Strafe would be included and 2K confirmed it will be the largest soundtrack to date for the franchise.

Read the full press release below.

Grammy Award Winner Pharrell Williams to Curate NBA� 2K15 Soundtrack

Creative mogul and entertainment visionary to hand-select the most extensive and musically diverse soundtrack in NBA 2K history

2K today announced a new collaboration with internationally-renowned artist and producer Pharrell Williams to curate the most extensive and unique soundtrack compilation in NBA 2K franchise history for NBA� 2K15, the next installment of the top-selling and top-rated NBA video game simulation franchise*. The partnership brings together one of music’s most creative minds with one of the most successful entertainment properties of the last decade.

“It was a cool experience. I tried to curate songs that were diverse but yet still proved to be motivational to gamers,” said Pharrell. “It was important to me that the music complemented the on-court action of NBA basketball in NBA 2K15. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

A renowned visionary across music, fashion, and design, Pharrell has served as a pop-culture force since his days as a founding member of N.E.R.D and the Neptunes to his latest venture with multi-media creative collective i am OTHER. His work includes producing tracks for some of the biggest albums of the decade, such as Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and Frank Ocean’s “Channel Orange,” as well as hit singles "Happy," “Blurred Lines” with Robin Thicke and “Get Lucky” with Daft Punk.

“Pharrell’s passion and reputation as a visionary producer and expertise from working with the NBA will be evident in the largest and most eclectic NBA 2K soundtrack ever,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Marketing for 2K. “We really listened to our fans’ feedback on how we could improve their experience from a music standpoint, and we’re confident Pharrell’s collaboration in NBA 2K15 will impress players as much as it’s impressed us.”

Pharrell’s soundtrack selections will be revealed later this summer. Follow @NBA2K on Twitter and use the hashtag #YourTimeHasCome for the latest NBA 2K15 news.

Developed by Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, NBA 2K15 is not yet rated by the ESRB. NBA 2K15 is scheduled for release on October 7 in North America, and on October 10 internationally for the PlayStation�3 and PlayStation�4 computer entertainment systems, the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system and Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft; and Windows PC.

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Member Comments

# 21 bxphenom7 @ 07/15/14 10:29 AM

Ok, I won't hate. Just don't put "Happy" in there. Hope some Lupe is in there

# 22 JerzeyReign @ 07/15/14 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_B_Mack


	Exactly what legend have they not payed to be in a game? I'm curious to see who this person or persons are.

Charles Barkley
Reggie Miller
Grant Hill
TMac
Yao Ming

Others who weren't great but I'd like to see:

Theo Ratliff, Toni Kukoc (as a Sixer fan I'd like to see these guys added to the 01 Sixers)

Stephon Marbury
Steve Francis

Just off the top. You could bring in those 90s Pacers' teams, 90s Suns' teams, and those mid 2000 Rocket teams - teams guys would play with before the Euro teaams.

# 23 VDusen04 @ 07/15/14 10:36 AM

This actually sounds relatively promising. I understand it's a press release and its goal is to appeal to all, but I admit I did like the sound of "most extensive and musically diverse". I have been pulling for 2K to at least somewhat drift back to the musical diversity their franchise showcased throughout most of their history.

2K13's 90% pop rap rundown was a soundtrack low point for me. I like popular rap, but not exclusively on my soundtrack, particularly when I'd already heard and worn out most of the tracks included. It was sort of the same issue with Kurtis Blow's "Basketball" in 2K12. It was a really cool concept and fun to hear initially but having to hear "We're playin' bassssssssketbawwwwwwl" by force every time we revved up the game became a little grating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerzeyReign


	Sidenote: Why does 2K pay these big music guys to come in but won't pay a legend to be put into a game?

It'd be nice to see some small additions to classic teams - perhaps some newer clubs that wouldn't necessitate a ton of payments because some of the players would still be active.

But yeah, I feel like 2K's apparent ability to do things like get Pharrell to curate a soundtrack they could have selected themselves (I feel 2K did a better job than Jay-Z at making a game soundtrack) as well as adding more and more Euro teams (who I assumed receive royalties) should probably come close to squashing the ol' "2K can't add any more classic teams because money" line of reasoning.

That said, I'm always happy and glad when I see the classic teams we do have still remain. Hopefully gamers will be able to edit rosters again next year so squads will not be forced to be filled out with the likes of generic Will Jones and David Williams.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxJustAguessxX


	Why..........why......I don't get it. Hire a DJ who specifically does hip hop and basketball related music. I hate 2k14 soundtrack it's so not a basketball soundtrack, who wants pharrell on here, they feminizing the game.

As I mentioned earlier, I believe the presser's numerous references to musical diversity could be a good thing. For starters, System of a Down is pretty far removed from hip-hop, so their mention could be a solid sign. I do not know Pharrell super well, but from what I've known of his history, he's got solid musical roots - not just from a pop perspective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grodbetatted


	So it's going to be a very commercialized track like the jay z track was. Wish they would get less hyped artist or dj because they usually get better songs that aren't commercial

If the tracks are truly diverse and feature a mix of a little bit of everything, I will be pleased. Though, I still believe 2K could have probably just selected a great soundtrack themselves. I'm supposing this is a means of drawing attention to their product with a big name (like Jay-Z in 2K13). It seems their funds now allow for things like this. If the soundtrack ends up being legit, more power to them.

# 24 elgreazy1 @ 07/15/14 10:44 AM

I guess it might help sell more games? Don't most people play their own music at this point?

Curious thing about the cover, why would NBA2k15 and WWE2k15 not follow the same art direction? It's from the same publisher and the same sports division.

# 25 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 07/15/14 10:47 AM

Cool I guess

# 26 kadzier @ 07/15/14 10:57 AM

had no problem with the previous 2 soundtracks so expect this one to satisfy as well.

# 27 VDusen04 @ 07/15/14 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxJustAguessxX


	Let us add our own music from the HD.

Do either of the next generation consoles allow music to be played from the dash like the XBox360 did?

# 28 STLRams @ 07/15/14 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxJustAguessxX


	Let us add our own music from the HD. Save 2K money and put that money back into game play elements.

I miss making my custom arena sounds/music for the NBA2K games. PS4 needs to add ability to add music to the harddrive.

# 29 The 24th Letter @ 07/15/14 11:33 AM

If Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller don't want to be in the game, they won't be. They could offer them 50 million each, and if they say no, then it's a no go. Like, we understand this right? That you can't buy out someone's consent?

# 30 El_Poopador @ 07/15/14 11:42 AM

They are really obsessed with red being the major color on the cover, eh? Hasn't been a non-red cover since 2k10.

# 31 The 24th Letter @ 07/15/14 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxJustAguessxX


	Why..........why......I don't get it. Hire a DJ who specifically does hip hop and basketball related music. I hate 2k14 soundtrack it's so not a basketball soundtrack, who wants pharrell on here, they feminizing the game.

Do yourself a favor and look at Pharrell's discography please....

This comment right here man

# 32 Dabest215 @ 07/15/14 11:55 AM

Who cares about the soundtrack.. They need to fix the defense in this game..

# 33 NUH_UHHHHHHHHHHH @ 07/15/14 11:57 AM

Imma leave now

# 34 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 07/15/14 11:59 AM

Gotta admit I do like a nice soundtrack

# 35 TalenT @ 07/15/14 12:03 PM

Meh, not a fan of the cover (They could've picked a better picture), but I'm a Pharrell fan. He's a musical genius IMO. I hope he comes through.

# 36 VDusen04 @ 07/15/14 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Poopador


	They are really obsessed with red being the major color on the cover, eh? Hasn't been a non-red cover since 2k10.

I think I recall them saying the red color has become their brand. The topic popped up most significantly in 2K12 when the trio covers (Jordan, Bird, and Magic) all had red backgrounds, even though it might have made more artistic sense to have backgrounds that better matched Bird and Magic's jerseys. I believe I remember someone from 2K mentioning their worry of how different colors may confuse potential consumers. I assume now, since they've established red, they're using it as a signature of their product year in and year out.

That said, I guess I'd kind of enjoy it if they switched things up a little. The red feels a little bland and each new cover has been feeling quite similar to the last. At the end of the day, it's not a big concern though, since it's just a cover and whatnot. Still, neat covers are neat.

# 37 King_B_Mack @ 07/15/14 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerzeyReign


	Charles Barkley Reggie Miller Grant Hill TMac Yao Ming Others who weren't great but I'd like to see: Theo Ratliff, Toni Kukoc (as a Sixer fan I'd like to see these guys added to the 01 Sixers) Stephon Marbury Steve Francis Just off the top. You could bring in those 90s Pacers' teams, 90s Suns' teams, and those mid 2000 Rocket teams - teams guys would play with before the Euro teaams.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	If Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller don't want to be in the game, they won't be. They could offer them 50 million each, and if they say no, then it's a no go. Like, we understand this right? That you can't buy out someone's consent?

Thank you Two Four. Beat me to it.

# 38 jeremym480 @ 07/15/14 12:35 PM

I guess this means no sound on Twitch streams/recordings.

# 39 malowry @ 07/15/14 12:49 PM

I think both the cover and the soundtrack are fine. Personally I thought it might've been cool to have KD in the middle of a dunk or jumper, but it doesn't really matter.

I don't see why people are freaking out about Happy possibly being in the game. You're going to have the option to turn the song off - what does it matter?

I doubt it, but hopefully they'll have some actual gameplay news to tell us in the livestream today. I'm not getting my hopes up after the massive letdown that was the Shaq livestream, though.

# 40 BluFu @ 07/15/14 12:58 PM

cover looks.... fan made.

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