Memphis has a rich history of soul and music that has long shaped the city. In the 2020-21 season, the Memphis Grizzlies are trying to capture some of the essence of that with their City Edition uniform.
The Grizzlies’ new look pays homage to both Stax Records — one of soul music’s great record labels — as well as Memphis singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes.
The @memgrizz are celebrating the legacy of Stax Records and the life of singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes during the 2020-21 season with new Memphis Soul City Edition @Nike uniforms.
Press release below. For more information: https://t.co/W22N1P6u2t pic.twitter.com/MF3DJ5ULo2
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) November 24, 2020
Happy to reveal the 2020/21 @memgrizz #IsaacHayes inspired City Edition Uniform!
The uniform has multiple Isaac touches including his name, sunglasses, Kente cloth African pattern down to the color of his 72 Gold & Turquoise Caddy! #AndWeCanDigIt pic.twitter.com/tDDCog1OR5
— Isaac Hayes (@isaachayes) November 24, 2020
shut your mouth 😎🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/ooMHkZu4dq
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 24, 2020
The all-black uniforms feature gold detailing and embossed design that, per the team, “serves as a tribute to the sounds and artists that defined the deep-rooted heart and soul of Memphis music.”
There are vertical stripes along the side of the uniform that represent the grooves in the vinyl records Stax made, while the gold and turquoise colors throughout the uniform are pulled from Hayes’ 1972 Cadillac El Dorado. That car is displayed at the Stax Museum in Memphis and echo the gold records and international hits the label produced in the 1960s and ’70s.
There is an ornate “MG” pattern that trims the neckband, shorts and left side of the uniform, which also pays homage to Hayes. It is inspired by the African Kente cloth and represents Hayes’ flair for fashion and voice for social activism. Hayes’ trademark sunglasses and name are emblemized just above the jersey tag to further pay homage to both he and the Stax Records label.
