The 2019 NBA All-Star Game is less than a month out, and today it's been unveiled that J. Cole will headline the halftime show.
2019 GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist and North Carolina native @JColeNC will take the court in his home state to headline the 2019 #NBAAllStar Game halftime show (Sunday 2/17 @NBAonTNT)! pic.twitter.com/eT6mTdJRYB
The inclusion of J. Cole at this year's NBA All-Star Weekend is a great fit for a number of reasons. The festivities are being held in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is about a three-hour drive away from his hometown of Fayetteville. Cole also hasn't been shy about his love for basketball. A number of his projects and accompanying cover art have nodded to the game (Cole World: The Sideline Story, Friday Night Lights), and he also participated in the 2012 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
The rapper, who just turned 34, recently wrapped up the sessions for Revenge of the Dreamers III with Dreamville. A number of high-profile guests were involved in the process, including Vince Staples, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, and T.I. "The Revengers sessions are done thank you to every artist and producer that came through. I love y’all, that shit was beautiful," Cole wrote about the experience. "Next step, finish the songs and let the [world] feel em."
He followed up the sessions by releasing "MIDDLE CHILD," his first official single since 2013 which features production from T-Minus.
Meek Mill will also be involved this year as the Philly native has been tapped to open the night with a lively introduction of the All-Star teams. Additionally, Anthony Hamilton, a native of Charlotte, will perform the U.S. national anthem at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game while Carly Rae Jepsen will be performing the Canadian national anthem.
The 2019 NBA All-Star Game starters pool was recently announced, with LeBron James earning captain duties for the West, and Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring the honor for the East. The All-Star Game draft will be televised live on TNT Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
NBA All-Star Weekend will take place Feb. 15-17, with coverage for the NBA All-Star Game beginning at 7 p.m. ET Sunday on TNT.
