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.
The relationship between Hip Hop and sports has long been documented. Naturally, Hip Hop culture is felt across various sports, but the history with basketball is by far the longest and richest. Rucker Park, (or simply The Rucker) sits at the epicenter of these two worlds. Or at least it used to be. Nestled in the heart of Harlem, New York, The Rucker is a cherished spot in the annals of these two cultural influences.
The name of Rucker Park honors local teacher and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation playground director Holcombe Rucker. Born in 1926, Rucker grew up on 141st Street with his grandmother. Standing at 6 feet and 3 inches, he found his calling playing guard at Benjamin Franklin High School until World War II, when he dropped out of school to enlist in the war. After the war was over, Holcombe Rucker returned with one last mission: to give back to his community through the education and the game he loved so much.
In 1950, Rucker’s vision came to fruition through a basketball league that would keep kids off the streets and encourage them in both studies and hoops. This was how the Rucker Tournament was born. It was originally held on various Harlem courts until 1954 when it found its home at the corner of 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. However, it wasn’t until 1974 that the park was officially named after Holcombe Rucker. This felt especially special because his legacy had extended far beyond the court. Rucker’s tournament wasn’t just about basketball though. It was also about education, dignity, and meaning. Over 700 individuals secured college basketball scholarships thanks to his initiative’s efforts.
Rucker Park soon emerged as a mecca for street basketball in the 1950s. It offered a platform for local athletes to showcase their skills on its gritty asphalt courts. Situated amidst the bustling streets of Harlem, the park embodied the raw, unfiltered essence of playground basketball. Therefore, players from across New York City flocked to Rucker, drawn by the prospect of testing their skills against the city’s best. Wilt Chamberlain was the first household name to grace Rucker Park, and the names after him could fill a book. With its chain-link fences and raucous crowds, Rucker Park became synonymous with the vibrant subculture of streetball. There, flashy moves and playground legends reigned supreme.
As Rucker Park gained prominence in the basketball world, it also became a cultural epicenter for Harlem’s burgeoning rap scene. The park’s vibrant atmosphere attracted not only athletes but also Hip Hop artists, DJs, and fans who shared a common love for the game and the music. Spontaneous rap battles and freestyle sessions became as integral to the Rucker experience as the basketball games themselves. As a result, Rucker Park helped blur the lines between sport and art. The symbiotic relationship between basketball and hip-hop flourished with players drawing inspiration from the rhythm and energy of the music while rappers paid homage to the park’s iconic status in their lyrics and music videos.
Importantly, Rucker Park has witnessed the rise of numerous streetball legends whose electrifying performances have become the stuff of urban folklore. In 1982, Greg Marius founded the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) at Rucker Park, transforming the park into an urban amphitheater. The EBC attracted top players from across the country, including NBA stars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, who relished the opportunity to showcase their skills in the hallowed grounds of Rucker. The tournament’s unique blend of competitive basketball and entertainment drew crowds of spectators and media attention. This solidified Rucker Park’s reputation as a premier destination for streetball enthusiasts worldwide.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Rucker Park gained further notoriety through its association with the And1 Mixtape Tour, a traveling showcase of streetball talent. Featuring players known for their flashy moves and playground flair, the And1 tour brought the excitement of Rucker Park to cities across the globe, popularizing the park’s unique brand of basketball culture. The tour’s mixtapes, which showcased the players’ jaw-dropping highlights set to Hip Hop beats, became must-watch videos among basketball fans. This also helped elevate the profile of streetball worldwide. To this day, even rappers like Machine Gun Kelly have Rucker to thank for giving them a platform.
By the 20th season of the tournament, the Rucker’s visitors began to include the likes of Former President Bill Clinton and NBA Commissioners David Stern, Adam Silver and Stephon Marbury. But no matter who came around, the palpable excitement of Rucker marked a typical day on the court. However, one notable incident that would have shut down both the ballin’ and rappin’ worlds was the game that was never held in 2003. Jay-Z and Fat Joe were battling to be the King of New York, not just on the charts but also in business and basketball.
Their EBC teams were stacked with top talent like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Jermaine O’Neal, LeBron James, and more. As the competition heated up, both men kept adding to their rosters, even making last-minute changes. Jay-Z even left his tour to appear at The Rucker with Beyoncé and Steve Stoute. The anticipation was high, with rumors of surprise appearances and last-minute shake-ups. Joe also revealed that he had a surprise waiting at 57th Street with Mike Bibby and Allen Iverson, planning to bring them to the game for halftime. Jay-Z also arranged for Shaquille O’Neal to join in at the last minute. With both teams ready, and thousands in attendance, the power went out.
An Enduring Legacy
Rucker Park’s cultural influence extends far beyond the confines of the basketball court, permeating various aspects of urban life and popular culture. The park’s iconic blacktop has served as a canvas for graffiti artists and a backdrop for music videos, immortalizing its place in the annals of rap history. From the iconic Above The Rim film, which featured acting credits from 2Pac and Bernie Mac, to lyrical tributes by pioneers like Nas and Jay-Z, Rucker Park has left an indelible mark on the worlds of sports and music. It embodies the spirit of resilience, creativity, and community that defines Harlem’s rich heritage.
Unfortunately, the park is no longer what it used to be. However, its legacy remains intact. In 2022, Rucker Park famously made history again. It became the first outdoor venue for The Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination winner-take-all event with a $1 million prize. The echoes of legends past reverberated as new stars stepped onto the hallowed ground. So the next time you pass by the corner of 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, remember Holcombe Rucker- the visionary who turned a playground into a symphony of basketball, Hip Hop, and most of all, community.
When you think of legendary moments in professional sports, let alone the NBA, what comes to mind? For many fans of the game, Kevin Durant’s unreal performance at the hallowed Rucker Park near Harlem, New York is one of them. The story goes that he dropped 66 points, which led his team to an unforgettable 99-93 victory. It went down during the 2011 lockout season and it will forever go down as one of the most unstoppable games that a professional has ever put on. The reason it is making waves nearly 13 years later is due to a retelling of the story by New York rap legend Fat Joe.
The longtime New York Knicks fan was a guest on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s podcast, Roomates Show, according to HipHopDX. The current Knicks’ stars let him have the floor and Fat Joe wound up revealing a never before heard part of that game. “Kevin Durant scored like 82 points in the third quarter. He don’t like me telling this story. They chased him out the Rucker, like they wanted to beat him up. He whipped their a** so bad that they wanted to literally beat him up out there,” Joe said.
However, KD almost immediately called out his supposed bluff on X, replying to the clip, “Another podcast lie. It was nothing but respect and love out there that night, didn’t feel unsafe for one second.” Joe stood his ground though, hilariously taunting him back, “I was there he knows I’m not lying 62 points in 3 quarters why was the game stopped it’s all love all i did was big him up ‘GREATEST STORY TELLER IN THE GAME.’” Whoever’s side you believe, we are just happy this moment exists in basketball lore.
What are your thoughts on Kevin Durant saying Fat Joe lied about the fight at Rucker Park? Who do you believe more and why? Is this one of the greatest basketball moments in the history of the sport? NBA game or not, is this one of the best performances ever? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Kevin Durant and Fat Joe. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the worlds of music and sports.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting offseason for Kyrie Irving. After a mid-season trade to the Dallas Mavericks, it looks like Irving is not sticking around to continue the great experiment alongside Luka Dončić. While the 31-year-old was at the center of some controversy this season, sharing a link to an anti-Semitic conspiracy film on Twitter, it was thought he would be something of a hot commodity. As the season wound down, multiple teams were rumored to be considering pursuing Irving.
However, recent news suggests that may be far from true. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the free agent market for Irving is “non-existent”, with the Mavs the only team currently pursuing Irving. Irving does not appear eager to return to Dallas. On the other hand, he has not publicly ruled out another stint with the Mavericks. However, a recent public sighting of Irving could be an indication of the point guard’s future.
Shared to Instagram by 2Cool2Bl0g, footage shows Irving, surrounded by friends, family, and some NYPD officers, pushing a stroller through Rucker Park. Rucker Park is an NYC institution located in Harlem. Players like Kareem, Wilt, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Dr. J all played on its courts prior to their NBA careers. In 2022, Rucker Park was one of the sites used for The Basketball Tournament.
However, the bigger question is whether this means anything for Irving’s plans. Obviously, Irving is coming off four years in New York and probably still has major links to the city. Despite this, is there a story here? Could the Nets or Knicks be interested in picking up the free-agent guard? Or this is simply a social visit to a place Irving called home for a number of years? After all, Irving attended high school in nearby New Jersey. It’s not a region of the country he has no links to. Regardless, let us know your theories in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
