The "Dunkadelic-Era" 1984-2009, 25 All-Time Most Influential List

by Dunkadelic King23 | January 3, 2009 at 05:20 am

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The basketball and hip-hop culture fusion born in 1984 that is known now as The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America has had some very influential players, magazines, athletic apparel companies, and teams. Here is a list of the 25th Anniversary of The "Dunkadelic-Era" 25 All-Time Most Influential List.

1. Allen Iverson, A.I. is the #1 Most Influential player over the 25-years of The "Dunkadelic-Era". His nickname is "The Answer" he's been called the "Tupac of the NBA".

2. Nike, the "Swoosh" signed Michael Jordan in 1984 and created the "Air Jordan" sneakers that became symbols of fashion within the hip-hop culture.

3. Michael Jordan, his game, his style, his "Air Jordan" sneakers, and his winning made MJ a symbol of Greatness and a hip-hop culture icon.

4. RUN-D.M.C., the 1st major hip-hop artists in America. The "My Adidas" rap-song helped elevate sneakers as fashion symbol within the hip-hop culture.

5. Dr. J, Julius Erving was the man that took the dunk and made it an artform. Dr. J brought "Soul" to the game and laid down the path for Michael Jordan the "Godfather of Basketball".

6. SLAM Magazine, the 1st national puplication dedicated to the basketball and hip-hop culture fusion. Slam is the #1 basketball magazine in the country.

7. Shaquille O'Neal, Shaq was the 1st and only player in the NBA to have an album reach the platinum level. Shaq is also the 1st player to bring the hip-hop culture into the NBA.

8. Adidas, the maker of the "Shell-Toe" sneakers and sweat suits worn by RUN-D.M.C. Break-dancers during the early years of hip-hop wore Adidas. Adidas is the official outfitter of the NBA.

9. Jay-Z, the #1 rapper in the world, and co-owner of the New Jersey Nets. His music and Rocawear urban brand are popular with the hip-hop culture and NBA players.

10. "Fab 5" of Michigan, the 5 freshman starters that made a run to the 1992 and 1993 NCAA Championship games and did it with a hip-hop swagger.

11. Georgetown Hoyas 1983-85, the 1st college basketball team with a signature shoe in 1985. The Georgetown sneaker (Nike Terminator) and Starter jacket became major hip-hop culture fashion statements.

12. Reebok, the apparel company that signed Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Nelly to sneaker endorsement contracts.

13. Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records and founder of Phat Farm clothing company. Russell is known as the "Godfather of Hip-Hop".

14. UNLV Runnin' Rebels 1989-91, the original "Gangsta Rap" team of college basketball. The Rebels personified the early 1990's "In Your Face" style of the hip-hop culture.

15. Kurtis Blow, in 1984 he released the hit song 'Basketball' and along with Michael Jordan, RUN-D.M.C., and Nike spearheaded The "Dunkadelic-Era" In America.

16. Kevin Garnett, KG known as "Da Kid" and "The Big Ticket" became the first player (1995) to go from high school to the pros in almost 20-years since Moses Malone in 1974 with the Utah Stars of the ABA (American Basketball Association).

17. Nelly, the second coming of LL Cool J rapped about his "Air Force One's" and became part of the Charlotte Bobcats ownership group with Michael Jordan and BET founder Bob Johnson.

18. And One, the basketball footwear and apparel company that helped popularize the "Streetball" phenomenon in America and around the world. And One was the creator of the Annual Mixtape Streetball Tour.

19. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade, were the 3 new stars that entered the NBA after the retirement of Michael Jordan in 2003. They are the superstars who will carry the torch of The "Dunkadelic-Era" that will passed to them by Shaq, Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant.

20. Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the 2 fallen hip-hop culture icon figure's that had a profound impact on the culture fusion of The "Dunkadelic-Era".

21. The Source Magazine, the 1st major puplication on the hip-hop culture. If it happened in hip-hop "The Source" was the magazine to give you the information.

22. Rasheed Wallace, Sheed became the "Chuck D of the NBA." He continued the popularity of the "Air Force One's" sneakers that were created by Nike in 1982.

23. Dime Magazine, following in the footsteps of SLAM, Dime showed the growing popularity of The "Dunkadelic-Era" when the magazine debuted in 2002.

24. Kobe Bryant, was considered the "Next" Michael Jordan. Kobe made the high school to NBA jump like Kevin Garnett and won 3 NBA Championships with Shaq.

25. David Stern, announced as the 4th NBA Commissioner on February 1, 1984 the birth-year of The "Dunkadelic-Era". He's the longest tenured Commissioner of the four major sports and will be celebrating his 25th Anniversary along with culture fusion of basketball and hip-hop.