Trade demands in the NBA this off-season have dominated the headlines more than broadsheet ink.
As we speak, it looks like James Harden would rather play in China, than Philadelphia next season.
As for Damian Lillard. His time in the City of Roses looks to be met with an RIP. D.O.L.L.A. wants to be shown the money like Tom Cruise in ‘Jerry Maguire’. South Beach have the talent to make a deal happen.
Miami may be Dame Lillard’s next move. As of this new music Friday just gone, his destination is the billboard charts, not the Kaseya Center banners…yet.
Almost two years to the day since Lillard’s last album (the D.O.L.L.A. making ‘Different On Levels The Lord Allowed’) release, Dame drops ‘Don Dolla’. Ready to ring more bucks than Miami against Milwaukee if the Heat really do add this Trail Blazer.
The imaginary watch tapping basketball superstar with the zero on his jersey is numero uno when it comes to ball players in the rap game. Right on time and right on the money. Becoming the don like Nas, with a King’s disease of magic.
‘Don Dolla’ features more big name guests than the Hall of Fame weekend. Most notably, Lil’ Wayne, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign and Tobe Nwigwe. The rapper/actor that you can see in the latest ‘Transformers’ movie, ‘Rise of the Beasts’.
In beast mode, Dame takes everyone to school with the outstanding opening track ‘Lillard University’. With just over two-minutes on the clock, he starts this play like he finishes games in the fourth.
Rapping, “everything 100 when they speak, or you peep the scene. Destined for the top, but it’s better when you can lead the team. Show them love for free, because we a different breed of folks. If I love you i’mma stand beside you, never keeping score. Promise even if it’s rocky, we won’t ever flee the boat. Gentle as a teddy bear, but not the bear you need to poke. Repeat the oath.”
Are you listening, Dillon?
‘I Ain’t Perfect’ has a beat that is. Fresher than a pair of Nike’s out the box. From the port of Miami that may soon be his anchor, Rick Ross and Sy Ari Dad Kid (also appearing on ‘Cabo’) make this Don ‘Noble’. ‘The Way It Goes’ is a strong single, like ‘Don D.O.L.L.A.’s title track. Although it’s ‘Mike Breen’ with Brookfield Deuce and Yxung Rell that really bangs. Straight to the sample.
With Weezy F. Baby for ‘Da One’, Dame holds his own like going one-on-one with Kyrie Irving. Just like he does with Tha Carter again on ‘My Daddy’s Son’ for two top ten highlights.
‘Is It You’ with Ivory Scott, Cristina Mackey and King Sis gets introspective (“playing second-fiddle like Scottie Pippen or Stockton”) for some slowed down R&B. If the first half of the album is that pre-game headphone music, getting you focussed for the main event. The second is the drive home from the arena, tuned into your car radio as you decompress.
Hip-hop just turned 50, and the GOAT of rapping hoopers brings a golden era beat to ‘Long Live Free’ with Mozzy. Yet, getting ‘Paid In Full’ with Tobe Nwigwe is the song in his back pocket that comes up with more than lint. Tobe rapping, “please forgive the way I enter. Got four kids out the placenta. Of the woman who’s the centre of all that’s within me.”
Straight nasty…and also kind of nice.
Just like the rapper who compares himself to Harry Potter (if you must know, it has something to do with a broomstick). On this ‘Judgement Day’ he terminates the opposition on sight. Hasta la vista.
‘Back Home’ with Ivory Scott, Damian shows you where he’s really from. Breaking your heart with lyrics like, “They just see the diamonds and the crowns, they don’t see the thorns. Gotta keep this s*** together, smiling through the storm.” Or, “got me sleeping past noon, because I hate the morning. Another way of saying, losing you is torment.”
We feel you Dame.
All the way to the ‘Giant’ closer with Jordin Sparks and Ty Dolla $ign. Dolla for D.O.L.L.A. Completing the artwork on this album with Dame decked out in a shirt Biggie would be proud of, having a drink in what could be mistaken for Florida.
The Notorious one’s former Bad Boy partner Jadakiss once rapped, “Gangstas don’t die, they get chubby, and move to Miami”, which felt like it was a tribute to Big. This don Lillard, on the other hand, is moving legal weight on and off the court. Perhaps all the way down to the place in the sun where you can really feel the Heat.
Now that would be G.I.A.N.T.
