Read by Will Damron

“Brilliantly audacious…written with the profundity of a sage baller and the acuity of a seasoned journalist.”—Kiese Laymon, New York Times bestselling author of Heavy 

An award-winning journalist's behind-the-scenes account from the epicenter of sports, social justice, and coronavirus, Can't Knock the Hustle is a lasting chronicle of the historic 2019-2020 NBA season, by way of the notorious Brooklyn Nets and basketball's renaissance as a cultural force beyond the game.

The Nets were already the most intriguing startup in the NBA: a team of influencers, entrepreneurs and activists, starring the controversial Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. But this dynasty-in-the-making got disrupted by the unforeseen. One tweet launched an international scandal, pitting the team's Chinese owner and the league's commissioner against its players and LeBron James. The sudden death of Kobe Bryant, after making his final public appearance in Brooklyn, sent shockwaves through a turbulent season.

Then came the unimaginable. A global pandemic and a new civil-rights movement put basketball's trend-setting status to the ultimate test, as business and culture followed the lead of the NBA and its empowered stars. No team intersected with the extremes of 2020 quite like the Brooklyn Nets, and Matt Sullivan had a courtside view.

Can't Knock the Hustle crosses from on the court, where underdogs confront A-listers like Jay-Z and James Harden, to off the court, as players march through the streets of Brooklyn, provoke Donald Trump at the White House, and boycott the NBA's bubble experiment in Disney World. 

Hundreds of interviews—with Hall-of-Famers, All-Stars, executives, coaches and power-brokers across the world—provide a backdrop of the NBA's impact on social media, race, politics, health, fashion, fame and fandom, for a portrait of a time when sports brought us back together again, like never before.

CAN'T KNOCK THE HUSTLE by Matt Sullivan

Mos Def - Speed Law (deacon lf remix)

Original Release Date : April 29, 2023

Track 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15 are produced by The RZA
Track 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 are produced by Havoc
All tracks are blended and mixed by DJ Keytronikz
Hosted by DJ Keytronikz
All beats are from "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." & "Hell On Earth" expect 14 & 16

It Was Written: The 41st Side Of Shaolin Edition

Nas - I Gave You Power Of The North Star

SHIT BE HARD

NOTE: I do not intend copyright infringement nor do I claim ownership of any images or audio used in this video. It is solely for entertainment purposes only, and all rights go to the respective owners of these images or audio. Sound adjusted to 320kbps. This is done for own personal preference and better sound quality. Quality headphones are recommended.

MF DOOM - Gas Drawls, Original Version (INSTRUMENTAL) 320 Kbps.

enjoy this 90s vibe!

artwork - RoyalTitan

Nas - Shootouts (Matbow Remix)

Stream: https://Nas.lnk.to/illmaticlive

Two decades after the album's critically-acclaimed release, hip-hop icon Nas teamed up with the National Symphony Orchestra to stage a symphonic rendition of illmatic, one of the most revered albums in hip-hop history. 

Vinyl released on Record Store Day 2018

Shop Nas merch bundles at shop.massappeal.com

illmatic: Live From The Kennedy Center

Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell (illmatic Live)

Nas - Represent (illmatic Live)

Nas - Halftime (illmatic Live)

DOWNLOAD

07 One Love (feat. Q - Tip)

RAGE IS BACK [The Mixtape]

Survival of the Fittest (J.PERIOD ReFix) [feat. Mobb Deep]

Music Producer / DJ • Music Lover • ♒ • 919 • Comic / Video Game Addict
Email for beats, bookings, etc. : keynotespeakaz@gmail.com

Nas - I Gave You Power Of The North Star

DJ Keytronikz

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