All due respect to The Throne and the NBA’s heavy use of “Niggas In Paris” during All-Star Weekend, but the playoffs require a grittier soundtrack. It needs music that reflects the hard-nosed defense and high intensity seen in almost every game. Now what Hip-Hop songs can encapsulate all that? The NBA got it right last night with this short but highly effective commercial spot featuring Mobb Deep’s classic “Shook Ones, Part II.” Some might raise an eyebrow of the Spurs getting this love, but the obvious choice team (The Knicks) is currently on an extended vacation. Hopefully this is the start of a few more classic Hip-Hop spots as the playoffs roll on.
