S. Samuel
Rap stars Nas, Meek Mill, Bow Wow and more invaded Jay-Z's 40/40 Club last night (September 27) in celebration of the upcoming NBA 2K13 video game release.
According to reports, everyone from NBA players to Hollywood actors came through to show support.
Hip-Hop and NBA All-Stars gathered at the 40/40 club in NYC on Wednesday night for the official launch party of NBA 2K13. The popular video game franchise, arriving in-stores October 2nd, was executive produced by Jay-Z, who was one of many stars at the packed event. Along with Jay-Z, Nas, Bow Wow, Talib Kweli, Bridget Kelly, Tracy Morgan, Boi-1da, and Tyson Beckford also made appearances. Expectedly, the guest list included NBA’s notable ballers, like Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evens, and the Brooklyn Nets’ Kris Humphries and Brooke Lopez. (Miss Info TV)
Back in January, Jay-Z got officially announced as NBA 2K13’s executive producer.
Rapper and Brooklyn Nets part-owner Jay-Z is set to executive produce NBA 2K13, the 13th installment in 2K Sport’s popular basketball game series. The news was revealed via his Life + Times website in a trailer featuring his song “Public Service Announcement” from “The Black Album.” The 24-second viral video is narrated by Michael Jordan and also showcases the cover baring Jay-Z’s name in the top right corner. NBA 2K13 is currently available for pre-order and is set to hit shelves on October 2. While it’s unclear the type of music Jay-Z has in mind for the soundtrack, in the past, both indie rock and hip-hop music have been featured. (Billboard)
Following the news, some bloggers questioned just how much of an impact Jigga will have as the game’s executive producer.
Jay-Z’s obviously not going to oversee quality assurance, run focus groups, or do anything that actually affects the game itself. Considering he’s an international star and a part-owner of an NBA franchise (the Brooklyn Nets), though, he’s in a good position to help 2K promote the game. I suppose signing him up isn’t that much different than paying NBA players to appear on the cover: you’re handing money to a celebrity in hopes that the public’s affection for them will rub off on your product. (Cinema Blend)
This year’s NBA 2K13 cover will feature three of the league’s biggest stars.
Most of the excitement in L.A. last season centered on the dunks the Clippers threw down and less on the aging Lakers. With the purple-and-gold bowing out in the Western Conference semifinals, all eyes were on LeBron James and Kevin Durant battling for league supremacy. And only three years after Bryant appeared on the cover of the NBA 2K video game, it is now embracing up-and-coming albeit less accomplished NBA stars. “NBA 2K13” will feature the Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Oklahoma City’s Durant and Chicago’s Derrick Rose on the cover, The Times has learned. (Los Angeles Times)
