Balancing a large drink and a tray of loaded nachos in one hand, I walk up the steep stairs to my seat at the top level of Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. I hear the music before I see her. A bass-heavy ...

Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; photos: Vince Bucci, Michael Loccsiano, Kevin C. Cox, Elsa / Getty Images No sport embodies hip-hop more than basketball. No music genre embodies ...

Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Mark Aguirre, Bernard King, Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson starred in a commercial for Converse "Weapons." Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Photos: Brian Ach / ...

Nas steps into the NBA Finals spotlight with a voiceover on Nicholas Britell’s new league-wide sonic identity. Nas just became the voice of the biggest basketball moment of the year, and it’s way ...

Basketball and hip-hop have always shared the spotlight, but only a few NBA players have found real success in both worlds. NBA and music culture — especially hip-hop — have always been intertwined.

Shaquille O'Neal and Damian Lillard are the two who have generated the staying power to make it as an NBA standout and as a hip-hop artist. Tony Jones, The Athletic Portland Trail Blazers, Damian ...

Rapper Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame, is one of several who agree that basketball greats and hip-hop excellence share a similar foundation. Shakeia Taylor and Jason Jones, The Athletic For decades, ...