The basketball and hip-hop culture fusion born in 1984 that is known now as The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America, 1984-Present is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during the year 2009 (1984-2009).
Michael Jordan and RUN-DMC Hall-of-Fame inductions have shown how far the culture fusion of basketball and hip-hop has come since its birth-year 25-years ago in 1984.
Jordan exploded on the pop-culture scene with his swagger, style of play, and Air Jordan sneakers that made him the most celebrated new star of basketball back in 1984. The Air Jordan phenomenon meshed with the hip-hop culture, and helped lay the groundwork for the NBA as we know it today. The explosion of sneakers becoming major symbols of fashion within the culture can be linked to Jordan and RUN-D.M.C.
Jordan was the first player to have his playing shorts made longer than other players during the late 1980's. The extra-long shorts today became popular during the hip-hop 90's with Iverson, Chris Webber, and Shaq.
RUN-D.M.C. released their debut album RUN-D.M.C. in 1984 and along with Jordan are Senior Ambassadors to The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America.
The pioneering rap-group became the first major rap act to achieve mainstream success. Their all-black adidas sweat suits and shell-toed adidas sneakers helped further fuse the culture of basketball and hip-hop. In 1986 when they released the hit song "My Adidas" and later signed with the sneaker giant to have their own signature shoe basketball and hip-hop would become a multi-billion dollar business for the growing athletic and footwear war between adidas, nike, and reebok with the hip-hop culture being its driving force.
Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Shaq, Jay-Z, and 50-Cent NBA and Rap-stars that have signed signature shoe deals can pay homage to Jordan and RUN-D.M.C. for paving the way and taking the fusion of basketball and hip-hop from the City Street to Wall Street.
Jay-Z the rap mogul often refers to himself as the "Mike Jordan of the rap game." Lil' Wayne the super star rapper who just won 4 Grammy Awards this past February has called himself the "Kobe Bryant of the rap game."
The late DJ for RUN-D.M.C. Jam Master Jay was quoted saying "that basketball and hip-hop was the same thing".
The first 2 month's of the year January and February of this American Cultural Celebration has provided some historical and defining moments to the 25-year fusion of basketball and hip-hop culture in America. Many of the players and hip-hop artists of The "Dunkadelic-Era" celebrated birthday's during January and February of '09. Here's a list of some of the Most Influential player's and rap artists.
January 2009:
Grand Master Flash (DJ,rapper) - January 1, 1958
Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) - January 9, 1989
LL Cool J (actor,rapper) - January 14, 1968
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) - January 17, 1982
Hakeem Olajuwon (Hall of Famer) - January 21, 1963
Greg Oden (Portland TrailBlazers)-January 22, 1988
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers) - January 28, 1984
25th Anniversary of the 1st NBA Slam Dunk Contest - January 28, 1984
January 14, 2009-the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame announced that hip-hop pioneers RUN-DMC were going to inducted.
January 16, 2009-the much anticipated movie (Notorious) on the life of late rap-legend Chritopher Wallace who was known famously by his stage name the Notorious B.I.G. was released. Wallace was extremely popular with basketball players. His trademark verse from the song Things Done Changed, "Because the streets is a short stop, Either you're slingin' crack rock or you got a wicked jumpshot" showed how he identified with dream of an urban kid and his way to get out of the ghetto.
February 2009:
David Stern (NBA Commissioner) Named 4th NBA Commissioner - February 1, 1984 25th Anniversary
NBA All-Star Weekend 2009 - February 13-15, 25th Anniversary of 1st NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Miichael Jordan (NBA Legend) - February 17, 1963
Dr. Dre (rapper, producer) - February 18, 1965
Charles Barkley (Hall of Famer) - February 20, 1963
Stephon Marbury (NY Knicks) - February 20, 1977
Julius "Dr. J" Erving (Hall of Famer) - February 22, 1950
Phil Knight (Nike Founder) - February 24, 1938
February 13, 2009-Michael Jordan was selected as one of the 16 finalist for induction into Naismith Basketball Hall-of-Fame Class of 2009. Jordan was the first star-player of The "Dunkadelic-Era" when he entered the league and signed with Nike to create the signature Air Jordan sneakers that became fashion symbols within culture fusion of basketball and hip-hop.
February 14, 2009-Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks won the 2009 Slam Dunk Championship. Robinson was born during the birth-year of The "Dunkadelic-Era" May 31, 1984.
The "Dunkadelic-Era" and its 25th Anniversay will be be a year-long celebration with many other great moments to come. Visit www.dunkadelictv.com to see the complete calender from January til December 2009.
Truemors
Jordan & RUN-DMC's Impact to The "Dunkadelic-Era" as it Turns 25 
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