Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh Headline West Adams Block Party During NBA All-Star Weekend

NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles was filled with celebration, culture and community. Among the many moments that made the city feel alive, the Legends of Basketball, in partnership with Los Angeles City Council member Heather Hutt, hosted a series of community-centered events that honored legacy in a way only the greats can.

But it was the West Adams block party, headlined by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, that embodied the spirit of the community.

Choosing West Adams, a historic Black neighborhood with deep cultural roots, spoke volumes. For decades, the area has been home to Black families, entrepreneurs and creatives who built community despite housing restrictions that once limited where Black Angelenos could live. Today, the neighborhood is experiencing a visible renaissance, with a resurgence of Black ownership and cultural reinvestment reshaping the corridor. Hosting the block party there felt like alignment. Legacy meeting resurgence. History meeting right now.

Hip-hop legends Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh headlined the night, bringing an energy that reminded everyone that basketball and hip-hop have always shared the same pulse. Their performances were not background entertainment. They were central to the moment. Storytelling, rhythm and nostalgia carried the crowd, reinforcing that hip-hop is woven into the fabric of Black community life. It bridges generations. It carries memory. It keeps culture moving.

Doug E. Fresh’s impact extends far beyond the stage.

He has consistently used his platform to advance health awareness in underserved communities, turning culture into a conduit for education. As a co-founder of Hip Hop Public Health, he has helped reimagine how families learn about nutrition, movement and long-term wellness, meeting people where they are through music. His advocacy also includes heart health initiatives focused on addressing disparities that disproportionately affect Black communities. In a weekend rooted in service and legacy, his presence reflected purpose as much as performance.

Celebration. Homage. Contribution.

NBA Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway and Shawn Marion were in attendance, embodying the very spirit of the organization. Their presence felt like homage. A celebration of the game. A recognition of the contributions that built the league into what it is today.

The weekend’s events blended service with celebration. Community activations, health and wellness resources and neighborhood-centered gatherings underscored what the Legends of Basketball represents beyond the hardwood. Connection. Support. Continuity. Basketball culture has always been rooted in relationship, and that spirit carried throughout the weekend.

The Legends of Basketball is a nonprofit association of former professional basketball players united by a shared journey and a shared belief that legacy does not end when the ball stops bouncing. Formerly known as the National Basketball Retired Players Association, the organization represents former players from the NBA, WNBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters. Their mission centers on health, financial literacy, mentorship, community engagement and sustained brotherhood and sisterhood long after the final buzzer.

This weekend honored the legends who built the league, the culture that shaped the game and the communities that sustain both. In West Adams, with hip-hop at the center and history all around, the message was clear.

Legacy lives here.

@testimony.mag Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick perform at the Legends of Basketball Block Party in West Adams during All-Star Weekend. #dougefresh #slickrick #llcoolj ♬ Cycle Syncing Frequency - Still Haven