By Jan Carlo Anolin
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard became the first NBA player to perform a rap number in All-Star Weekend.
Lillard, who goes by his rapper name DAME D.O.L.L.A., took center stage Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time) at the United Center in Chicago together with some famous artists.
“Damian Lillard has many personas,” Chicago native rapper Common introduced. “To his family — he’s just Dame, to us fans, we all know ‘Dame time’ and know what that looks like and to his opponents in the league — well they know him as a serious problem.”
“This guy is nice on the mic and I’m proud to present not only an NBA All-Star, but this is an artist… Show some love to my guy, DAME D.O.L.L.A.,” Common continued.
First player to ever perform on the #NBAAllStar stage & the BEST rapper in the @NBA….Dame D.O.L.L.A.! pic.twitter.com/4ZfTWVcK4a
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 16, 2020
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DAME D.O.L.L.A. paid homage to the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by wearing a jacket that read ‘Mamba Forever’ with a Black Mamba drawing at the back while spitting some verses on stage.
Mamba Forever pic.twitter.com/mWfNhKB2Ad
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 16, 2020
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Lillard performed ‘Money Ball’ from his latest album ‘BIG D.O.L.L.A” with rapper Jeremih and followed it up with ‘Run It Up’ from the ‘Confirmed’ album.
With a classic smoke machine entrance, rapper Lil Wayne joined DAME D.O.L.L.A. midway that drew more cheers from the crowd.
“What’s good? Just got on stage with Wayne and Jeremih,” Lillard said in a video posted on the Trail Blazers’ Twitter account after the performance.
“All-Star Saturday — it was a blast. It was a great time. I hope everybody enjoyed the show. I felt great out there man and it was a great time.”
Dame D.O.L.L.A. checks in after taking the #NBAAllStar stage @Dame_Lillard |#RipCity pic.twitter.com/tIV4YQPIs3
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 16, 2020
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While Lillard was first to perform a rap number, Lakers Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal did a dance routine with hip-hop crew ‘Jabbawockeez’ at the All-Star Weekend in 2009 when he was still part of the Phoenix Suns.
Lillard, who was supposed to suit up for the All-Star Game and 3-point contest, sustained a strained right groin after a 111-104 loss to Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night and won’t be able to make it.
Suns guard Devin Booker replaced him for both events. Booker lost to Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield in the final round of the 3-point contest.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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