Roughly 15 feet away from the basketball players aiming to secure their teams' victory in the All-Star game, a DJ booth was positioned. Huddled close to the bleachers of the basketball court at the BK Arena, the players were attentively absorbing the coach's directives. Some wiped sweat away from their brows while adjusting their shorts and tucking in their jerseys, their arms casually draped over each other. They were preparing for their entry into the second quarter. ‘Feel’ by Davido, who was scheduled to take the stage the following day for the closing ceremony of Giants of Africa, began booming off strategically placed speakers around the court. The crowd joined in with fervor, their voices gradually intensifying until their collective singing drowned out the animated conversations in the surroundings. We’ve had a fully immersive experience all week. And tomorrow, at the closing ceremony in collaboration with Spotify, we have a lineup of performances. South Africa's Tyla, Rwanda's Bruce Melodie, and Nigeria's Davido and Tiwa Savage will be taking the stage, announced Jama Mahlalela, an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association, who was the emcee for the All-Star game, moments before the teams took the court. Throughout the entirety of the festival, DJs, musical acts, and dance performances were a constant presence, accompanying the 250 young participants from 16 African countries as they competed in the men's and women's Giants of Africa basketball tournaments. While the teams battled to excel and progress to the subsequent rounds, these artistes curated the soundscape for the games, whether situated among the spectators, just beyond the sidelines, or at times, even on the court. Their contributions spanned moments that elevated the crowd's enthusiasm in the stands and moments that called for a subdued ambiance. Scenarios akin to the one witnessed at the BK Arena over the previous week are a common occurrence across basketball matches worldwide. The fusion of music and basketball has been a long-standing tradition, with instances of NBA stars exploring musical ventures and artistes drawing inspiration from players. From pre-game warm-ups to in-game action, intermissions, and post-game moments, the presence of music is pervasive; it's deeply ingrained in the essence of basketball. But the impact of these musical intervals has been evident in a particular aspect: when the music starts playing, both fans and teammates experience a surge of energy. Beyond the court, basketball players have incorporated the practice of tuning into music prior to practices or games. Headphones have become almost as essential to basketball players as their jerseys. Rahil El Brahimi can take on solitary practice sessions as long as her “Hoop” playlist propels her towards the basket. El Brahimi, a 19-year-old Moroccan basketball player, describes music as creating a “personal bubble for the player.” If you observe closely, during the warm-up sessions, every player has on air pods or earphones, listening to their favorite genre of music. It helps them in concentrating and fully engaging in the game. Post-game, music also allows them to unwind, she said. As for her own pregame routine, she leans towards French and English rap, occasionally mixing in viral tunes. Her current favorites include Fair Trade by Travis Scott featuring Drake, Catch and Release by Matt Simons and Deepend, and Hinata by TIF. These choices elevate her spirits, enabling her to adopt a positive and motivating mindset prior to the match, ultimately enhancing her effectiveness during gameplay. The experts agree. Studies have revealed that maintaining a sense of alignment while practicing or engaging in basketball can significantly enhance performance. Listening to good music stands as one of the most effective and expeditious means to uplift mood, remain present, and cultivate both intensity and game-time rhythm. Within music, vocals and harmonies evolve into avenues of expression through auditory signals, creating a universal language understood by everyone. On the contrary, sports are predicated on merging physical exertion and skill to compete against others for entertainment. When these two influential domains converge, an incredible surge of ability, passion, and expertise emerges, manifesting in various forms of shared dynamism. El Rahimi is not alone. Eighteen-year-old Motswana, Phazha Gabaraane, similarly shared his use of music for improving his mental imagery during routine activities. “A well-curated pregame playlist allows you to fully immerse yourself in the game. It's also a remedy for nerves when you're under pressure. Music diverts your mind from stress and transports me into the zone, Gabaraane said. To achieve a state of concentration, he gravitates towards serene and soothing melodies that help me stay calm. Among the tracks he tunes into before stepping onto the court are Meek Mill's Dreams and Nightmares, Sika by Lamid, and Sam Smith's Too Good At Goodbyes. Meanwhile, point guard Atang Lekolwane, 18, whose team unfortunately didn't reach the finals but was present in the stands with earphones in place, has been enhancing his hour-long training sessions in Botswana by moving to the rhythm of his preferred assortment of up-tempo Afrobeats tracks. He knows he needs them to “get in his groove.” If you listen to music that induces drowsiness, you're more likely to approach the game with a lack of energy, Lekolwane said. If you listen to energetic music, you're more inclined to step onto the court with heightened energy. The tempo of the song plays a pivotal role. Similarly, there is substantiating evidence to support claims that the rhythmic attributes of music trigger impactful responses, aiding athletes in refining their coordination and skill within the kinetic chain. Engaging music possesses the ability to foster positive self-dialogue and uphold athletes' composure during their performances. Coaches and athletes can manipulate an athlete's heart rate through the use of invigorating music, while calming music has the potential to lower it. At Giants of Africa, the games were typically not accessible to the general public. Still, the festival benefited from a considerable fan following that watched the teams in action that evening during the All-Star game. Whenever artistes and dancers made brief appearances for performances, the crowd erupted in excitement. A collective wave of phones would rise to capture the moment. Beyond just amusement, though, these two — music and basketball — seemingly coincide in every aspect. Embracing both highs and lows. Blending enjoyment and seriousness. Cultivating curiosity alongside an open-minded attitude. Thriving within the presence of an audience. Acknowledging the world of entertainment as a whole. Extending a universal invitation to partake in the celebration. Perched high up in the stands at the edge of my seat, I enjoyed an unobstructed view of the seamless integration of music and basketball. Watching players nodding along to songs, fans softly singing lyrics amid their cheers, and the DJ hyping the crowd during timeouts, it dawned on me that basketball transcends mere athleticism. It mirrors the world of show business — a sophisticated form of public entertainment on a global scale. After the final whistle on Friday night, both the audience and players remained in the arena, reluctant to bid farewell to the magic. Undoubtedly, a collective desire lingered, one where everyone wished for an additional match to prolong the experience.
