Скачать или смотреть Basketball - Kurtis Blow (1984)

"Basketball" is a rap anthem penned by William Waring, Robert Ford, Kurtis Blow, J. B. Moore, Jimmy Bralower, and Full Force. Featured on Kurtis Blow's 1984 album "Ego Trip," the track delves into the world of basketball, sparked by an idea from Blow's then-girlfriend. She urged him to create a song about basketball, emphasizing its cultural significance within the African-American community.

In the recording, twenty-five legendary basketball players are name-dropped, with Julius "Dr. J" Erving taking the lead as Blow's personal favorite. The lyrics, characterized by rhymed couplets, showcase a typical early-1980s rap structure. Notably, the catchy hook is sung by Alyson Williams, who later gained recognition with her own R&B hits.

Directed by Michael Oblowitz with a $25,000 budget, the music video boasts cameos from rap groups The Fat Boys and Whodini. Despite Kurtis Blow's initial desire to include footage of the mentioned players, the National Basketball Association (NBA) only granted clearance for still photos of Micheal Ray Richardson, a player not mentioned in the lyrics.

However, the NBA later embraced the song, playing it at games and even creating its own video featuring clips of every player mentioned. This recognition propelled the song's popularity, leading to Kurtis Blow's live performances after NBA games during the song's peak. The video game NBA 2K12 further immortalized "Basketball" by using it during the game's introduction.

On the charts, "Basketball" achieved notable success, reaching No. 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart during 1984-1985. The song's enduring legacy lies in its celebration of basketball culture and its influence on subsequent sports-themed musical endeavors.