BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
Last year, rapper T.I. helped the Atlanta Hawks launch their new season with performances during the game.
On Tuesday, homegrown rapper Rich Homie Quan will do the honors (a "surprise guest" is touted for halftime and postgame performances on the arena's newly designed floor) when the Hawks battle the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena.
“I’m super excited to be the headline performer,” Quan said. “I think it’s great how the Hawks combine music and sports to give Atlanta fans a unique entertainment experience.”
Fans attending the opening night game will also receive a free T-shirt commemorating the event.
(During last season’s playoffs, I tagged along for a behind-the-scenes look at how the dozens of entertainment pieces fall into a place during a Hawks game. You can read my story here. )
Quan said in a video that he would sing his latest single, “Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh),” during the game.
The 26-year-old has been featured on songs with other Atlanta rap stars including 2 Chainz and Young Jeezy. Quan has been nominated for five BET Hip-Hop Awards the past two years and recently wrapped the “Scream: Back 2 School Fest 2015” tour with upstarts K Camp and Rawyals.
He also prompted an investigation from Child Protective Services last month after posting an Instagram video of himself smoking what appeared to be marijuana while holding his 1-year-old son, Royal. Soon afterward, Quan issued an apology via Instagram. “I regret that I chose to continue to smoke once Royal jumped in my lap. After looking back on it I realize my error and I am sorry for my actions.”
The Hawks have also lined up Big Grams — the collaboration between Atlanta’s Big Boi and electronic rock duo Phantogram — to perform during the Nov. 7 game.
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