The NBA announced Thursday that Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar are set to headline the musical entertainment portion of All-Star Weekend in NOLA later this month. From the press release:
Williams will make a grand entrance when he opens the NBA All-Star 2014 festivities with the only player introductions set in all of sports, featuring surprise musical guests. The electrifying performance will be followed by Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. who will perform the U.S. National Anthem and Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder who will perform the Canadian National Anthem.
At halftime, New Orleans native Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue will tip off the celebration of New Orleans-influenced music with performers including multiplatinum singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John, Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Gary Clark Jr. and the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, prior to the highly anticipated Sprite Slam Dunk Contest airing live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, Grammy-nominated artist Kendrick Lamar will perform an exclusive medley of smash hits from his critically acclaimed albums.
