NEW ORLEANS – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced Grammy® Award-winning hip-hop group The Roots will tip off the 66th NBA All-Star Game during the "Entertainment Series presented by JBL" on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Smoothie King Center. All-Star Game coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT, and the game and all NBA All-Star 2017 Entertainment Series Presented by JBL performances will be seen by fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.
Currently serving as the official house band of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," The Roots have become one of the best known bands in the business, winning four Grammys including "Best R&B Album" for Wake Up!, "Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance" for "Hang in There" (with John Legend) and "Best Group or Duo R&B Vocal Performance" for "Shine." Additionally, "The Roots Picnic," a yearly star-studded mix of musicians, has become a celebrated institution. The Roots were named one of the greatest live bands around by Rolling Stone and serve as the official house band on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
Prior to the introduction of the 2017 NBA All-Star East and West teams, the group will take center stage for a special performance, taking the audience on a dynamic journey celebrating the evolution and history of the game of basketball.
As previously announced, the halftime show will feature 10-time Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend performing a compilation of his current and former hits.
With HARMAN serving as the Official Sound of the NBA, its audio brand, JBL, will be the presenter of this year's NBA All-Star Entertainment Series. JBL will power the musical performances during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night in addition to pregame introductions and the halftime show at Sunday's All-Star Game.
