Rapper Aminé Launches Shoe Honoring North Portland Library That Shaped His Childhood

PORTLAND, Ore. — Grammy-nominated rapper Adam Amine Daniel, known professionally as Aminé, is paying tribute to one of the most influential places from his youth: the North Portland branch of the Multnomah County Library.

From Library Kid to Rap Star

As a child, Aminé often rode bikes with his friends to the library, where they spent hours exploring shelves of books and CDs. Those formative experiences, he says, sparked his creativity and sense of curiosity.

“The Multnomah County Library wasn’t just a building, it was a Portland staple that shaped my childhood,” Aminé wrote in a recent Instagram post. “Naming the shoes the Biblioteca 2000 felt like a way to honor this childhood curiosity that the library inspired.”

Now 31, Aminé is bringing that inspiration into his latest fashion collaboration.

Introducing the Biblioteca 2000

The Biblioteca 2000, Aminé’s third collaboration with New Balance, will release on October 3. Sign-ups for early access are already open at his Club Banana website.

The sneaker features a bold, bright green design with glow-in-the-dark elements. Aminé said the style was inspired by the glowing stars he used to place on his bedroom ceiling while reading library books as a child.

A Community Book Drive

In conjunction with the shoe launch, Aminé has organized a book drive running through September 10. Donations can be dropped off at 207 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Portland, where a giant book depository has been set up in the parking lot.

To encourage participation, Aminé is offering fans a chance to win a free pair of the Biblioteca 2000s. Anyone who donates books and tags him in an Instagram story or post showing proof of their contribution will be entered into the giveaway.

Continuing a Pattern of Giving Back

This isn’t Aminé’s first time using his platform to give back to Portland. Last December, he surprised students at his alma mater, Benson High School, with custom sneakers designed in the school’s blue-and-orange colors. The shoes, dubbed the Aminé Benson Techs, were gifted to seniors and students in the radio program.

For Aminé, the Biblioteca 2000 is more than a sneaker—it’s a nod to the community that raised him. By pairing the release with a book drive, he hopes to inspire others to embrace the same curiosity and love of learning that shaped his journey from Portland kid to international music star.

A Celebration of Community Roots

The launch highlights not just a shoe, but a personal story deeply tied to Portland. Aminé’s tribute underscores how community institutions like libraries can influence young people in profound ways.

The Biblioteca 2000 release and book drive reflect his commitment to ensuring future generations have access to the same opportunities for discovery that fueled his own rise.