Kurtis Blow Remakes Classic Hit ‘Basketball’ With Hit-Boy, Lola Brooke & NBA Stars

Kurtis Blow has teamed up with Hit-Boy and Lola Brooke for a remake of his classic hit “Basketball” just in time for the 2024-2025 NBA season.

In collaboration with DoorDash, Hit-Boy produced the remake of the 1984 classic, with his sister HitgirlLena recreating the hook. Kurtis and Lola share verses on the song, with the latter paying homage to the WNBA.

Shot in the mecca of Hip Hop and basketball, New York City, the music video features cameos from Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

⁠The song was previously remade by Bow Wow in 2002 for the film Like Mike.

Get into the new video below.

Earlier this year, Kurtis Blow, alongside KRS-One, received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Hip Hop Museum Induction Ceremony.

According to AllHipHop, President Biden honored the rap legends with the awards at the National Hip-Hop Museum in Washington, DC during a special ceremony on April 4.

The ceremony was hosted at the RIAA’s Headquarters, attended by about 300 guests. During the event, the two Rap legends were celebrated during a speech from Reverend Dr. George Holmes.

“There are two ways for a leader to go through life: as a thermometer or as a thermostat,” Holmes said. “The thermometer merely measures the climate, but the thermostat sets the tone and creates it. That’s who you are, KRS-One and Kurtis Blow.”

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While President Biden was not in attendance, a letter from the White House addressed to the two pioneers was read as part of the presentation.

“As it is with Kurtis Blow, as it is with you, America’s story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us,” read the note. “On behalf of the American people, President Biden extends his heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and he encourages you to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is still counting on you.”

The rappers were both honored in part due to their work in local communities.

Blow and fellow rap icon Chuck D serve as the Executive Director and President of the Hip Hop Alliance, respectively. KRS-One serves as the organization’s Chairman.