We’re only a day away from the beginning of this 12 months’s NBA All-Star Weekend celebration. The festivities are happening in San Francisco this 12 months and contains a stacked roster of not solely gifted famous person hoopers, however thrilling model activations as properly. For Anthony Edwards, he’s because of make his third consecutive look within the All-Star Sport whereas additionally teaming up with Bose and Tradition Jam to introduce the lead single of his newly-announced compilation album — Tradition Jam Presents: Legend In My Hood.
Edwards follows within the footsteps of fellow NBA star Kawhi Leonard, who dropped his seven-track Tradition Jam (Vol. 1) compilation again in 2021. Just like Leonard’s challenge, Edwards is credited as a co-executive producer alongside Tradition Jam founder Eesean Bolden. Tradition Jam Presents: Legend In My Hood follows the story of two brothers — Anthony and AnTony, aka bdifferent — who’ve set out on their very own paths as a basketball participant and rapper respectively, and the way they’ve overcome adversity by way of brotherhood. To introduce the brand new challenge, Anthony is internet hosting an occasion at All-Star Weekend with Bose & The h.wooden Group, the place he’ll debut the lead single “Late Bloomer” by bdifferent and Skilla Child.
In anticipation of the thrilling premiere, we caught up with Anthony Edwards to speak about what function music performs in his life, working together with his brother on the challenge, what it’s like being an All-Star for the third 12 months in a row and extra.
How does music influence basketball for you?
Music and basketball go hand in hand. There’s a particular connection for me, particularly due to my brother — he’s the explanation I play basketball. I grew up watching him play and it made me need to exit and be nice like him. Now, my brother is an artist and makes the dopest music on the market. So there’s a particular connection for me. Even past simply myself, everybody in basketball is linked to music. We feed off the power of the music and it will get our minds proper for follow, massive video games and the whole lot in between.
When do you most frequently take heed to music?
Music is with me in all places I am going, so that you’ll by no means catch me with out my Bose headphones, whether or not that’s on the gymnasium, throughout a exercise or once I’m preparing for a sport.
How did engaged on the mixtape begin?
This was a challenge of affection created with inspiration from my brother. Music is large for us and to get to work on that is actually dope. Music has been a continuing in each of our lives, so it was a pure step to take that’s been loads of enjoyable.
Did you instantly have an thought of the way you wished it to sound?
I knew from the soar the artists we needed to have on this mixtape. It’s going to have all of it. It’s going to be the whole lot anybody may need.
Your brother makes an look on the mixtape. What’s it like having the ability to work with him on a challenge of this magnitude?
Working with my brother is a dream come true. I all the time need to uplift the individuals who have supported me probably the most all through my life, however this isn’t about placing him on, he deserves it whether or not he’s my brother or not — his music is hearth. Anybody that don’t know will know quickly.
Bose
In three phrases, how would you describe the mixtape?
Warmth, warmth and (extra) warmth.
You’re internet hosting an occasion at NBA All-Star Weekend to debut the lead single. What sort of power are you trying to deliver to it?
I simply need to deliver everybody collectively to have a very good time. I need to rejoice my brother and the mixtape but additionally my fellow All-Stars and my companions at Bose who’re serving to to make all of it occur.
Who’s extra trendy, rappers or NBA stars?
I don’t assume it’s about if it’s a rapper or participant carrying one thing. It actually comes all the way down to the arrogance and power you deliver to the outfit. That’s the place type comes from to me.
You’re going into NBA All-Star Weekend as an All-Star for the third 12 months in a row. How does it really feel?
Wonderful. I’m blessed to have the ability to do what I like each day and I’m honored to be acknowledged once more this 12 months.
Look out for “Late Bloomer” by bdifferent and Skilla Child to reach on Friday, February 14. From there, the whole lot of Anthony Edwards’ ‘Tradition Jam Presents: Legend In My Hood’ is because of drop this spring.
