Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar to Perform at NBA All-Star Weekend
It was announced this week that both Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar would be performing at the NBA All-Star Weekend, which will air live on Saturday, February 15. Williams will perform during the player announcements and Lamar will make an appearance before the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest at 8 pm, which will air live on TNT. Other artists besides Williams who are expected to perform include Earth, Wind, and Fire, as well as other stars like Janelle Monáe, Dr. John and Gary Clark, Jr. Both the United States and Canadian national anthems are anticipated to be sung by Clark and Serena Ryder before Williams and Lamar perform.
Williams has recently made his way back into the spotlight with his collaboration with singer Robin Thicke with the hit song, “Blurred Lines.” Williams also had his first Grammy nomination for his song “Happy,” which appeared on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, as well as six other nominations in different categories. Williams humbly took home four Grammy awards due to his work with Daft Punk for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year and finally Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Williams will also be performing “Happy” at the Academy Awards just two weeks after his performance at the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The NBA All-Star Weekend will begin on Thursday, February 13th and will go until Sunday, February 16 with a long list of events that include a look inside the NBA, the starters, a Basketball Hall of Fame announcement, an Adam Silver news conference, East/West Practice and player interviews, the legends brunch and the NBA tip-off. New Orleans will host the event for the second time in six years with more than 50,000 visitors expected to attend during the All-Star break. The event was held in the same city in 2006 as a boost of confidence after Hurricane Katrina. The 2013 game was previously hosted in Houston, Texas. The downtown scene of New Orleans is expected to transform with a 90 percent occupancy rate with hotels and an expected $90 million economic impact on the city, according to The New Orleans Advocate.
Although fans are anticipating the performance of Williams and Lamar, there is an equal amount of excitement for the basketball players who are expected to play. Some of the most players who will appear at the event include Kobe Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden from the Houston Rockets, Dwight Howard from the Houston Rockets, Tony Parker from the San Antonio Spurs and LeBron James from the Miami Heat.
