Basketball is my favorite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court.
If you just read those lines and didn't hear the funky, synthesized bassline of Kurtis Blow kicking in behind them, you probably weren't around in 1984. Or maybe you've just missed one of the most persistent earworms in hip-hop history. The they're playing basketball song—officially titled "Basketball"—is more than just a catchy tune about hoops. It’s a cultural bridge. It represents the exact moment when the grit of early New York hip-hop shook hands with the commercial power of the NBA.
Honestly, it’s kind of a miracle the song works as well as it does.
Back in the early eighties, rap was still finding its legs as a commercial force. Kurtis Blow was already a pioneer, having been the first rapper signed to a major label (Mercury Records). But "Basketball" was different. It wasn't about the struggle or the street life in a heavy way. It was a pure, unadulterated celebration of a game that was rapidly becoming the heartbeat of American urban culture.
Why the Basketball Song Still Sticks in Your Head
There's a specific reason people search for the they're playing basketball song rather than just "Kurtis Blow." The hook is essentially a linguistic virus. It’s simple. It’s repetitive. It’s rhythmic. It’s everything a hit needs to be.
Produced by Robert Ford and J.B. Moore, the track features a beat that feels bouncy, almost like a ball hitting the hardwood. It wasn't just a studio creation; it felt like it belonged on a playground. When Blow shouts out legends like Magic Johnson, Dr. J, and Moses Malone, he wasn't just name-dropping. He was cataloging the deities of the era.
You’ve got to remember that the NBA in 1984 wasn't the global behemoth it is today. This was the year Michael Jordan was drafted. The Bird-Magic rivalry was just hitting its fever pitch. Blow’s track captured that lightning in a bottle. It gave the sport a theme song before the NBA even knew it needed one.
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The music video—directed by the legendary Mick Haggerty—was one of the first rap videos to get serious play on MTV. It featured a game in a stylized, neon-lit court that looked like a comic book come to life. It was goofy, sure. But it was also revolutionary.
The Names That Made the Lyrics Legendary
If you listen closely to the verses, Blow is basically giving a history lesson. He mentions:
- The Big O (Oscar Robertson)
- Tiny Archibald
- Earl "The Pearl" Monroe
- Bill Russell
He even throws a nod to Red Auerbach. It’s a deep-cut list. It showed that hip-hop wasn't just "kid stuff"—it had a sense of history. It respected the elders. This wasn't some corporate jingle written by people who didn't know the game; Blow actually loved the sport. He grew up in Harlem, where the Rucker Park tournaments were just as important as the NBA Finals.
The Bow Wow Cover and the 2000s Resurgence
Fast forward to 2002. A whole new generation started searching for the they're playing basketball song, but they weren't looking for Kurtis Blow. They were looking for Lil' Bow Wow.
The remake was for the movie Like Mike.
While purists might roll their eyes, the Bow Wow version did something important: it proved the song's DNA was timeless. It updated the name-drops—switching out Dr. J for Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant—but kept that infectious "Basketball is my favorite sport" hook. It’s one of those rare instances where a cover doesn't replace the original but acts as a permanent advertisement for it.
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The song has appeared in NBA 2K soundtracks, television commercials, and movie montages. It’s the "Happy Birthday" of sports anthems. If you’re at a youth basketball camp today, there is a 90% chance you will hear this song within the first hour. It’s unavoidable.
The Technical Brilliance of a "Simple" Rap Song
People often dismiss early 80s rap as "nursery rhyme" style. That’s a mistake.
The cadence Kurtis Blow uses is incredibly difficult to pull off without sounding clunky. He hits the "on-beat" with a percussionist’s precision. When he says, "I used to go to dinner and then take the girl," he’s using a syncopated flow that influenced everyone from Run-D.M.C. to Will Smith.
The bassline is a classic synth-funk groove. It’s heavy on the one. It creates a pocket that makes you want to move. If you strip away the lyrics, you’re left with a high-quality funk track that could have easily been an instrumental hit on its own.
What People Get Wrong About the Meaning
Some critics at the time thought "Basketball" was "selling out." They thought hip-hop should stay focused on social commentary like "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash.
But that misses the point.
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Basketball is social commentary in the city. The court is where community happens. It’s where you learn discipline, trash talk, and resilience. By elevating the game to a song, Blow was elevating the culture of the neighborhood. He was saying that our pastimes are worthy of being recorded and celebrated on the same level as anything else.
How to Use This Track in Your Content Today
If you're a creator or a coach looking to leverage the they're playing basketball song, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, the nostalgia factor is a weapon. If you're making a reel or a TikTok, using the original Kurtis Blow version signals "old school cool" and "authenticity." Using the Bow Wow version signals "early 2000s millennial nostalgia." Choose wisely based on who you're trying to reach.
Second, the song is perfect for "process" videos. Because the beat is so steady, it’s great for syncing up dribbling drills or shooting montages. The "dribble up and down the court" line is the most obvious sync point in the history of music.
Third, don't be afraid of the "cheesiness." The song is earnest. In an era of irony and mumble rap, the high-energy, positive vibe of Kurtis Blow is actually a breath of fresh air. It makes people smile.
Actionable Steps for Hoops Fans and Creators
If you want to dive deeper into the world of "Basketball" and its impact, here is how to actually engage with this piece of history:
- Listen to the full 12-inch version. The radio edit misses some of the best instrumental breakdowns that showcase the early 80s production quality.
- Watch the Mick Haggerty music video. Pay attention to the choreography and the fashion. It’s a time capsule of 1984 streetwear—lots of high-waisted shorts and classic sneakers.
- Compare the lyrics to the modern NBA. It’s a fun exercise to see how many of the legends Blow mentions are still considered Top 50 of all time (spoiler: almost all of them).
- Check out the 1984 album Ego Trip. "Basketball" was the standout, but the whole album is a masterclass in how hip-hop started to blend with rock and pop elements to reach a wider audience.
The song isn't just a meme or a jingle. It’s a monument. Every time you hear that opening line, you’re hearing the sound of hip-hop claiming its place in the American mainstream. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to make a point is just to talk about something you love. And Kurtis Blow really, really loved basketball.