The basketball connection
Know the story.
ESPN asked NBA players, including Dwyane Wade, to interpret the song's LeBron/Wade basketball reference.
Basketball context, not copied lyrics. Sources stay attached so the story can be checked.
← Back to Music
Music / Songs & stories
Jay-Z — Empire State of Mind basketball reference
2009
A compact example of NBA stars functioning as instantly readable rap shorthand during the LeBron/Wade era.