The National Basketball Association yesterday announced that LL COOL J, Grammy Award-winning hip-hop icon, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducteed, actor, author, and Founder and CEO of Rock the Bells, has collaborated with fourth-time Grammy Award-winning hip-hop act the Roots to reimagine the legendary song “Mama Said Knock You Out’’ which will be the official anthem for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
The anthem, a bespoke reprise of LL COOL J’s Grammy® Award-winning single, “Mama Said Knock You Out’’, features the popular hook from The Roots’ popular track “Here I Come.” The reimagined version fuses the iconic lyrics of the 1991 hit “Mama Said You Knock You Out’’ with the energetic melody of “Here I Come.’’ It will act as the musical backdrop for the stages of the In-Season Tournament, beginning with Group Play involving all 30 teams and progressing through the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, culminating in the Championship.
The sport pays homage to the classic VMA Award-winning music video while infusing it with a modern twist. It transforms LL COOL J’s presence from the boxing ring to the hardwood In-Season Tournament stage. The stage includes a tribute to the coveted tournament trophy, the NBA Cup, and features a live performance by The Roots.
“I’ve been a fan of the NBA ever since I can remember, and it’s a real honor to have my record serving as the anthem for this monumental moment,” said LL COOL J. “I’m excited to see the energy of the song translate to the play on the court during the NBA In-Season Tournament.”
The anthem will deliver three distinct versions, each one featuring wordplay from the Roots’ Black Thought that correspond to different segments of the tournament. The first version of the song will make its television debut tonight during the opening night of the NBA In-Season Tournament on ESPN, and across all NBA social platforms and the NBA App. It will be the opening theme song for each night of the In-Season Tournament, which will air on ESPN, TNT, local telecasts and radio broadcasts.
LL COOL J and The Roots will conclude their U.S. tour, “The F.O.R.C.E Live,’’ on November 19 at TD Garden in Boston, MA.
The NBA In-Season Tournament will kick off with Group Play tonight in NBA team markets. Each team will play four Group Play games on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. Eight teams will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds, which comprises the Quarterfinals (Dec. 4 and 5) in team markets on TNT and the Semifinals (Dec. 7) on ESPN and TNT and Championship (Dec. 9) on ABC at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fans can find more information about the In-Season Tournament here.
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