'The Greatest Mixtape Ever': 5 things to know about ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary
ESPN's 30 for 30 returns with a new documentary on its roster. 'The Greatest Mixtape Ever' is an account of 90s streetball and the And1 mixtape that had a massive influence on basketball. The concept was simple, use grainy footage of streetball and combine it with some funky rap music, and voila! What started as a series of VHS tapes has led to some of the best moments in NBA history jazzed up with some brilliant music.
Talking about the documentary, director Chris Robinson said it was a story that needed to be told. “This moment in time is an extraordinary piece of culture, and its impact in the worlds of music and sport is undeniable,” said Robinson. “These were giants of sport that came together from different neighborhoods and elevated not only basketball but the spirit of the community. I’m glad to be a part of telling their story.”
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When does 'The Greatest Mixtape Ever' release?
'The Greatest Mixtape Ever' premieres on May 31, 2022, at 8 pm ET on ESPN. The documentary will be available on ESPN+ immediately after its premiere.
What is 'The Greatest Mixtape Ever' all about?
The official synopsis reads, "In the late 1990s, a burgeoning young New York City DJ, Set Free, had the idea to set some grainy streetball highlights to a soundtrack of emerging rap music. The results culminated in what came to be known as the And1 Mixtape, a series of VHS tapes that forever transformed the game of basketball. The film is narrated by Jadakiss and features original interviews with Fat Joe, Funk Master Flex, Iman Shumpert, Isiah Thomas, Kemba Walker, Lou Williams, Rafer Alston, and Scoop Jackson, among others."
Director/Producer
'The Greatest Mixtape Ever' is directed by Chris Robinson ('Shooting Stars') and produced by Set Free Richardson. The latter shared his thoughts on the documentary, calling the relationship between sport and music "symbiotic". “Basketball and hip hop have a symbiotic relationship like no other combination of music genre and sport. The history of this mixtape – how streetball VHS tapes, a DJ, and streetball players changed the culture of basketball – is essential to understanding that relationship. It had to be told!” he said.
Trailer
There is no trailer available at the moment, but watch this space for more updates.
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