Sleep is a foreign concept to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Not only has he been lighting up opponents in the NBA Bubble, but he's been strengthening his other flex, his rap pen, as well.
Dame D.O.L.L.A., the name he goes by as an artist, released a lil 4-track mixtape (probably more of an EP, but we will humor him here) called "Live From The Bubble" because that's literally what it is. Lillard recorded the tracks from his Presidential Suite hotel room while the Trail Blazers were fighting for a spot in the NBA Playoffs. He raps about his athletic prowess, the importance of loyalty and the ability to drive around in foreign cars he doesn't know how to pronounce. The production features steady drum patterns and booming 808s that rival any rap hit today.
The project, released through Lillard's own Front Page Music label, features fellow Oakland artist Jane Handcock on "They Know," which shares a tribute to his cousin, Brandon "Chef B" Johnson who died in May.
Lillard's Trail Blazer teammates Gary Trent Jr. and Nassir Little (No, Dame's not gotten a Nas feature... yet.) each spit a verse on the title track. The trio details life in quarantine, fantasizing about women and standing up for what they believe in, especially as social justice and racial equality have become major talking points in the Bubble. As rappers, Trent and Little hold their own. But let's say we're not expecting full-length projects from them any time soon.
"Live From the Bubble" follows Dame D.O.L.L.A.'s "Home Team" single, where he proudly reps The Town with the assistance of Los Angeles-based artist Dreebo. Lillard has three albums in his discography with Lil Wayne making an appearance on all of them.
On the court, the Trail Blazers face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting Tuesday. They fought for their spot in the postseason by winning four straight games, including a dramatic play-in game over the Memphis Grizzlies. Lillard scored 51 and 61 points respectively as he rallied his team past the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks.
With so much uncertainty in 2020, the four-time All-Star has made sure we know he's Different On Levels the Lord Allows.