Following the announcement of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony's retirement, leading figures from the Hip Hop community have paid their respects, including Nas and Fat Joe.
Anthony, affectionately known as Melo, announced his retirement from his illustrious 19-year career via a social media post on May 22. A highly versatile forward known for his dynamic scoring ability, the 38-year-old was a ten-time NBA All-Star and claimed the league's scoring title in 2013.
Despite not winning an NBA championship, Anthony had an illustrious career, including an NCAA title with Syracuse and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA, making him the most decorated basketball Olympian in American history.
Nas, in particular, narrated a tribute video from Air Jordan, celebrating Anthony's extensive NBA career and the impact he made on the people and places he inspired throughout his journey. Anthony had a long-standing affiliation with the Jordan brand and was the first athlete not named Michael Jordan to receive a signature shoe from the brand in 2004.
The Queensbridge rapper says in the cinematic tribute, "He didn’t do it for the accolades or the Hall of Fame votes. He did it for the kids from Red Hook, the crew from the block, Murphy Homes projects, San Juan, those with hoops dreams, dreams of hope and beyond."
Other hip-hop figures, such as Ludacris, Raekwon, Lloyd Banks, 9th Wonder, and Rapsody, also shared their messages of gratitude and appreciation for Anthony's contribution to the sport. "Simply Thank You," wrote Ludacris, while Banks added, "Thanks for everything you’ve done for basketball."
New Yorker Fat Joe, a well-known Knicks fan, honored Anthony's career on his Instagram page, writing, "Well done brother well done @carmeloanthony Congratulations you deserve all the glory." Metro Boomin also joined the tributes, sharing a photo of Anthony with the late Kobe Bryant during Anthony's early career with the Nuggets.
