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All eyes are on the NBA Finals right now, as the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs continue their fierce contest — with the former hoping to win its first championship since 1973. In celebration of the first game in this momentous match-up, ESPN and Spotify teamed up for ESPN Presents: Spotify Live Sessions — NBA Finals Party.
Tapped for a special performance at the invite-only event on the opening night of the best-of-seven series (June 3) was Grammy Award-nominated artist Destin Conrad.
The creator-led immersive experience at Spotify’s Los Angeles headquarters also featured live DJ sets from Austin J. Mills. Among the guest list of creators, tastemakers and fans were actor-singer Trevor Jackson (Grey’s Anatomy, grown-ish) and social media influencer/content creator Mariah Linney, a former guard for the University of North Carolina’s Charlotte 49ers basketball team.
ESPN Presents: Spotify Live Sessions — NBA Finals party
ESPN Presents: Spotify Live Sessions — NBA Finals Party Kristina Bakrevski, Courtesy of Spotify and ESPNtesy of Spo
For the occasion, Spotify’s Los Angeles headquarters was transformed into a “House of Legends” motif. In addition to watching the game in a lounge-style viewing area, guests were treated to various activations, including a basketball shooting competition and a custom hat engraving station. In addition to Conrad’s post-game performance, The Club520 podcast went live at halftime, hosted by former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, his brother DJ Wells and Bishop “B Hen” Henn.
Conrad’s setlist for the party included “Party Wit U,” “Bad Bitches” and “Kissing in Public.” The singer/songwriter was a first-time Grammy nominee at the 68th annual ceremony, earning a nomination in the best progressive R&B album category for debut album Love on Digital. Conrad’s latest project is wHIMSY!, the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed alternative jazz album wHIMSY. The EMPIRE artist will kick off the second leg of his wHIMSY! tour on July 17 in St. Louis.
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