kurtis blow

Lola Brooke Teams Up With Kurtis Blow On Remake Of His 1984 Hit ‘Basketball’ Including WNBA Players Like Angel Reese

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Basketball and hip-hop have been joined at the hip as long as both have been at the forefront of American (and eventually global) pop culture. This is largely a result of ’80s rap pioneer Kurtis Blow‘s 1984 breakout hit “Basketball.” You know it. You love it.

The song’s been remade a couple of times over the years — most notably by Bow Wow in 2002 — but Blow himself teamed up with DoorDash and contemporary hitmaker Lola Brooke for “Basketball 2.0,” a remake capitalizing on the WNBA’s breakout 2024 season. Adding new verses to the traditionally heard “I like the pick-and-roll / I like the give-and-go,” the two rappers name check a variety of contemporary players, from LeBron James and Kevin Durant to WNBA stars like A’ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, Sue Bird, and of course, rookie sensation Angel Reese.

The video for the song, which includes a demonstration of DoorDash’s DashPass benefts, takes place at New York’s legendary Rucker Park, where the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart take on all comers with some help from Bird, ending with a cheeky visual reference to NBA Jam — that’s right, “HE’S ON FIRE!” Fortunately, Kurtis has a fire extinguisher handy to put out the burning backboard.

You can check out Kurtis Blow and Lola Brooke’s “Basketball 2.0” video above.

Kurtis Blow Modernizes His Classic Single “Basketball” With The Help Of Hit-Boy & Lola Brooke

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When you think of iconic rap songs from the 1980’s one of them undoubtedly should be “Basketball” by Kurtis Blow. The track was a perfect encapsulation of the excitement surrounding the NBA and the sport at large. It’s stood the test of time for as long as it possibly could have, as it is now a little over 40 years old. With that in mind, the fact we have a new version for the modern NBA era is a special treat. Kurtis Blow and DoorDash’s DashPass program linked up to concoct “BASKETBALL 2.0,” which features Hit-Boy and Lola Brooke.

The reason DashPass is involved is because they are now the official partners of the NBA and WNBA. Hit-Boy handles the production only here, with Lola popping in halfway through to shout out the superstars in the W as well. Blow mentions names like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, among others. It’s extremely nostalgic despite it just releasing and it’s just a cool moment overall to this go down. Hit-Boy’s sister and rapper HitgirlLena recreates the iconic chorus, making sure all of the key elements of the original are still intact. There’s also a music video for the single, and it takes place in the “Mecca of basketball,” New York City. It’s shot at a local basketball park with Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart making cameos in the visual. Check out “BASKETBALL 2.0” by Kurtis Blow, Hit-Boy, and Lola Brooke with the link below.

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“Basketball 2.0” – Hit-Boy, Kurtis Blow, & Lola Brooke

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by HIT-BOY AKA Tony Fontana (@hitboy)

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The post Kurtis Blow Modernizes His Classic Single “Basketball” With The Help Of Hit-Boy & Lola Brooke appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Hip Hop Cult Classic Flick ‘Krush Groove’ Released In Theaters 39 Years Ago

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TodayinHip HopHistory:Hip HopCultClassic'KrushGroove'ReleasedInTheatersYearsAgo

krushgroove

On this date in 1985, Hip-Hop bigwig Russell Simmons along with film producer Michael Schultz unveiled the Hip-Hop glory days fairy tale about the early days of Def Jam in the Warner Brothers distributed Krush Groove.

This cinematic, quasi-musical was told in a very unique manner, with almost all of the artists playing themselves as the story is being told; The Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, Jeckyl and Hyde, the Beastie Boys and Sheila E. all starred as themselves, while being managed by Russell(ironically, played by Blair Underwood) and a young Rick Rubin before they became the icons that they are recognized as today. The flick even gives a quick peek into how Def Jam’s rookie and first solo artist L.L. Cool J was recruited in Def Jam’s NYU dorm “office”.

The movie’s soundtrack boasts more than a few hits, such as The Fat Boys’ “All You Can Eat”. LL’s “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, the original “If I Ruled The World” by Kurtis Blow, which was famously remixed by Nas and Lauryn Hill a decade after the movie’s release and the title track by The Krush Groove All Stars.

Shout out to all of the legends who were quarterbacked by Hip-Hop’s Barack Russell Simmons in making this Def Jam biopic forever a Hip Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Hip Hop Cult Classic Flick ‘Krush Groove’ Released In Theaters 39 Years Ago appeared first on .

KRS-One And Kurtis Blow Receive Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards At The National Hip Hop Museum Induction Ceremony

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Screenshot 2024 04 08 at 10.52.28 PM

The iconic and pioneering careers of Bronx Hip Hop legends KRS-One and Kurtis Blow were honored last week as both living legends received Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards at the National Hip Hop Museum Induction Ceremony.

AllHipHop reported that President Biden honored Kris and Kurtis at the NHHM in D.C. on Thursday(April 4). Hosted at the RIAA’s Headquarters, the two Hip Hop icons were commemorated with a speech from Reverend Dr. George Holmes.

“There are two ways for a leader to go through life: as a thermometer or as a thermostat,” Holmes said. “The thermometer merely measures the climate, but the thermostat sets the tone and creates it. That’s who you are, KRS-One and Kurtis Blow.”

President Biden did not attend the celebration, however, a letter written to the honorees from the POTUS was read in front of the 300+ attendees.

“As it is with Kurtis Blow, as it is with you, America’s story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us,” read the letter. “On behalf of the American people, President Biden extends his heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and he encourages you to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is still counting on you.”

The post KRS-One And Kurtis Blow Receive Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards At The National Hip Hop Museum Induction Ceremony first appeared on The Source.

The post KRS-One And Kurtis Blow Receive Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards At The National Hip Hop Museum Induction Ceremony appeared first on The Source.

Bow Wow Receives Response From Hip Hop Alliance’s KRS-One, Kurtis Blow, & Chuck D

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A tweet made by Bow Wow has caused the leaders of the Hip Hop alliance to step forward. Bow stated that artists need better representation. “Hip hop needs a board! No different than the NBA w/ the players association. A committee,” he wrote.

“That can set rules and keep things in control and protect this thing we call hip hop! And have a retirement plan for the OG rappers,” he also shared. “I hate seeing my heros liquor’d out no money just washed.”

Read More: Bow Wow Calls For Rappers To Unionize

In fact, pioneers Kurtis Blow, KRS-One, and Chuck D have been working on such an organization for some time. Those familiar with the Hip Hop Alliance were quick to educate Bow. Now, the three Rap icons have made a statement about the viral conversation.

“Like every other aspect of society’s workforce, the artists and creators of Hip Hop need protection, support and advocacy,” a joint statement shared with Rock The Bells reads. “From label disputes to intellectual property retrieval and the need for an overall governing body, the Hip Hop Alliance was established.”

Read More: KRS-One Teams With Slick Rick & Big Daddy Kane For Hip Hop Alliance Video

“Recent comments this weekend created a unique opportunity to bring forth a conversation that many in Hip-Hop & R&B have been addressing for a long time,” it further added. “The need of a governing body of Hip Hop. The goal of HHA is to empower artists to make informed decisions about their career and ensure that their rights are respected and protected.”

Additionally, the Hip Hop Alliance shows that KRS-One acts as Chairman, Kurtis Blow is the Executive Director, and Chuck D is President.

“As our culture comes together to honor and celebrate the 50th year of the creation of Hip-Hop, now is the time for all of us to come together,” the statement further says.

“In that spirit, we invite our brother Bow Wow to join us this coming Friday (January 20) at 7 p.m. EST on the Clubhouse app and/or our Black History Month online conference on Tuesday (February 25) at 4 p.m. EST on the HHA YouTube page.”

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“We welcome all of the Hip Hop culture to roll up their sleeves and join us,” they said. “We work to uplift, honor, and protect Hip-Hop, for its past, present, and future.” 

It is unclear if Bow Wow has taken them up on their invitation, but it will certainly be a Clubhouse discussion that Hip Hop lovers—and artists—don’t want to miss.

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