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As hip-hop expanded from the East and West Coasts into the South, the club became a place where a spin from one of its influential DJs could propel a new song to the top of the charts. The club introduced new music for hip-hop stars like Future, Migos and Jeezy and helped popularize Atlanta favorites like Jermaine Dupri, Killer Mike and 2 Chainz. Dominique Wilkins, a Hall of Famer who played for the Hawks from 1982 to 1994, was a famous patron in its early days, as was the football star Deion Sanders.
Hawks games attendees have the chance to “catch a glimpse of the faces of professional athletes, musicians, actors, comedians, streamers and other content creators” sitting courtside at State Farm Arena, according to Lauren Williams of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. From rappers T.I. and B.O.B to actors ANNE HATHAWAY and DUSTIN HOFFMAN, the Hawks “draw a wide range of celebrities looking to catch an NBA game.” This season, the Hawks have “drawn visits” from actor LUKE WILSON, rappers LUDCARIS, 21 SAVAGE and KARRAHBOOO, as well as Falcons QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. Other prominent figures in frequent attendance include rapper TAUHEED “2 CHAINZ” EPPS and actor CRYSTAL RENEE HAYSLETT.
Streamer Kai Cenat, comedian-creator Druski and musical artists Mickey Guyton and Shaboozey were announced Tuesday as participants in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, while multi-platinum rapper 2 Chainz was named a coach. The game will be played Feb. 14 at Oakland Arena as part of the NBA's All-Star weekend. Cenat will be making his second celebrity game appearance, as will actor-singer Dylan Wang and singer-songwriter Walker Hayes.
The Hawks want their business to be hyperlocal. They want to take care of this city’s residents before anyone else. When they partner with brands and celebrities, they’re only doing it with people who are passionate Hawks fans because their whole brand is about being authentic. Rapper 2 Chainz became a part-owner of the Hawks’ G League franchise in College Park after talking with Koonin at a game about wanting to be more involved with the organization. He’s now one of the most visible fans for the team and has helped others in the city realize State Farm Arena is where the stars should be when the Hawks are playing.
“It’s becoming a thing,” 2 Chainz said. “I’ve been coming to games for several years, and I can tell you that it’s a different vibe and different atmosphere now. We have a lot of boots on the ground now. People started seeing other people go to games, and they felt like they needed to be there too. I played basketball growing up, so I’m a natural fan of the game. It’s become something to do, to go to games when the Hawks play. I do think we need to win to be even bigger. Everyone wants to be a part of a winner. When we start winning more games, we’re going to continue getting more support from the community. I feel like we have the pieces together. We have a bench. We have depth. We have a great shooter in Ice Trae. We have two great big men in John Collins and Clint Capela. We have the necessary pieces to be a great team.”
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Anthony Davis’ hotel room has unexpectedly been utilized as the Los Angeles Lakers’ gathering spot for special events, sources told Yahoo Sports. The team has gathered there to watch the popular “Verzuz” rap battles between Snoop Dogg and DMX, and 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, and to hold its Madden tournament.
2 Chainz is going to the league – as a part-owner. Grammy Award winning recording artist and College Park native Tauheed ‘2 Chainz’ Epps has agreed to an ownership stake in the Hawks’ NBA G League team, the College Park Skyhawks. He joins the ownership group of the affiliate led by Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler.A formal announcement will be made at a Friday afternoon press conference at his alma mater North Clayton High School.
2 Chainz has announced the release date for his long-teased album RAP OR GO TO THE LEAGUE: It’s out March 1 (via Def Jam). Along with the release date, 2 Chainz has revealed that LeBron James A&R’d the project.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: “Rapper or boxer. With boxing, I didn’t start seriously doing it until a few years ago, but I’ve always loved the sport. (Lillard has rapped since he was a kid and he has released two albums, The Letter O and Confirmed, which had a combined 25 songs; he’s worked with artists such as Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Jamie Foxx and Juvenile among others).
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But he waited until he had the resources and the means to produce an album that featured guest appearances by 2 Chainz and Eric Bellinger. “Just letting it all hang out,” Oladipo told Yahoo Sports. “Doing the music, I just kind of said, ‘It’s whatever.’ I just did it. And put it out, not really worried about what would come from it, what people thought about it, or what result came from it. I just put it out, worked hard on it. And whatever happens, happens. In the game of basketball, you kind of have to go out there and just play. Not worry about anything else and just play. Play the game within the game, play through your mistakes and keep going after it until you get it right. That’s my mentality. And it translates to both.
That Oladipo is looser and more carefree is also probably not a coincidence coming off a summer in which he also decided to expose himself artistically with the release of a vanity project, an R&B record called, “Songs for You.” Oladipo grew up singing in the children’s choir at his church and offered glimpses of his talents in college. But he waited until he had the resources and the means to produce an album that featured guest appearances by 2 Chainz and Eric Bellinger. “Just letting it all hang out,” Oladipo told Yahoo Sports. “Doing the music, I just kind of said, ‘It’s whatever.’ I just did it. And put it out, not really worried about what would come from it, what people thought about it, or what result came from it. I just put it out, worked hard on it. And whatever happens, happens. In the game of basketball, you kind of have to go out there and just play. Not worry about anything else and just play. Play the game within the game, play through your mistakes and keep going after it until you get it right. That’s my mentality. And it translates to both."