--- title: DoorDash’s Basketball 2.0 with Kurtis Blow | 7th Hashtag Sports Awards description: Global awards recognizing excellence in fan engagement and celebrating creativity across sports marketing, media & entertainment image: https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-AF-2025/dQrdraQQ-xFajQyVDhP-file.png --- DoorDash’s Basketball 2.0 with Kurtis Blow | 7th Hashtag Sports Awards [The 7th Annual Awards](https://www.hashtagsports.com/awards/shortlist-2025?hsLang=en) # DoorDash’s Basketball 2.0 with Kurtis Blow [DoorDash](https://www.doordash.com/) Share [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fdoordashs-basketball-20-with-kurtis-blow) [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fdoordashs-basketball-20-with-kurtis-blow&text=DoorDash%E2%80%99s+Basketball+2.0+with+Kurtis+Blow+%7C+7th+Hashtag+Sports+Awards) [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hashtagsports.com%2Fawards%2Fshortlist-2025%2Fdoordashs-basketball-20-with-kurtis-blow) ABOUT THIS ENTRY DoorDash celebrated the 40th anniversary of the iconic hip hop anthem “Basketball” with a groundbreaking music video that reimagined the track for a new generation of NBA fans. Bringing together the song's original legendary artist Kurtis Blow, and rising star rapper Lola Brooke, this activation paid homage to the deep connection between NYC basketball and hip-hop culture. Featuring New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart alongside WNBA legend Sue Bird, the video captured the spirit of the game and the city that shaped it. This high-energy production showcased DoorDash’s innovative approach to partnerships, seamlessly blending nostalgia with a modern twist to highlight DashPass benefits. By tapping into the heart of basketball culture, the campaign resonated with fans nationwide, racking up over a million views in its first week. More than a music video, this activation set a new standard for creative brand storytelling in sports and entertainment. ![Image](https://www.hashtagsports.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets-AF-2025/dQrdraQQ-xFajQyVDhP-file.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=dQrdraQQ-xFajQyVDhP-file.png) How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"? This campaign set a new benchmark in fan engagement by demonstrating the power of culturally infused content (earning over 327M impressions across 25+ placements). It shows that when a brand can authentically tap into the shared passions and cultural heritage of its audience, the impact goes beyond traditional metrics—it creates a cultural moment. This campaign serves as a blueprint for future sports marketing endeavors, and will inspire the industry to think beyond the game, considering the broader cultural context in which sports exist. By blending music, nostalgia, and modern sports culture, DoorDash has created a campaign that not only resonates with fans but also elevates the standard for how brands can engage with their audiences in innovative and impactful ways. Objective By collaborating with Kurtis Blow, the original artist of the beloved basketball anthem, and featuring contemporary Black artists and athletes, the campaign aimed to honor the rich history and ongoing contributions of the Black community in sports. The goal was to create a powerful narrative that resonated deeply with fans, driving meaningful engagement and positioning DoorDash as a brand that celebrates Black culture and the broader basketball community. This approach sought to elevate the perception of DashPass while fostering a sense of community and pride among fans. Strategy & Execution The campaign was meticulously crafted with the modern sports fan in mind, recognizing their desire for authentic and culturally relevant content. DoorDash executed a multifaceted rollout with teasers alongside the full video, featuring high-profile talent like Kurtis Blow, rapper Lola Brooke, Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, and WNBA legend Sue Bird and a diverse supporting cast. The strategic timing coincided with the NBA season tip-off, ensuring maximum visibility and impact. The reimagined 'Basketball' anthem, produced by Hit-Boy and directed by Dave Meyers and his daughter Cassidy, served as a rallying cry that united fans and celebrated Black cultural heritage. The campaign's strong presence both online and in-arena ensured that the DashPass message was delivered in a culturally relevant and engaging way, creating a memorable and shareable experience for fans. ** 3x Nominations ** - Best Short-Form Video - Excellence in Black Storytelling - Best Use of Culture, Music, or Entertainment **Organizations** - DoorDash - Wavemaker - NBA - WNBA - New York Knicks - Miketeevee **Links** - [  Website ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSGUY4WGQ1E) **Credits** **[ Ariel Gambardella](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielgaylinn/) ** Head of Brand Partnerships DoorDash **[ Hank Kauffman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-kauffman-59a9a362/) ** Manager, Brand Partnerships DoorDash **[ Jeff Doyle](https://www.linkedin.com/in/doylejeffrey/) ** Manager, Brand Partnerships DoorDash **[ Renaldo Chapman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaldochapman/) ** VP, Brand & Creative DoorDash **[ Emery Barnes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emery-barnes-478749a6/) ** Associate Manager, Brand Social DoorDash **[ Trina Sethi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinadbanerji/) ** Sr. Manager, Business Lead DoorDash **[ Rafael Segri](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-segri-a3a97a2b/) ** Co-Head of Creative DoorDash **[ Pooja Pandey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepoojapandey/) ** Manager, Offline Media DoorDash **[ Devon Ngai](https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonngai/) ** Manager, Offline Media DoorDash **[ Matteo Catanese](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteocatanese/) ** Creative Director DoorDash **[ Julio Sotomayor](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-sotomayor-876881141/) ** Sr. Designer DoorDash **[ Jamie Penano](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-penano/) ** Sr. Project Manager DoorDash **[ Hannah Tsumoto](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahdt/) ** Sr. Manager, Integrated Marketing DoorDash **[ Cristen Milliner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristenmilliner/) ** Manager, Consumer Communications DoorDash **[ Colin Frawley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-frawley-3743b180/) ** Sr. Copywriter DoorDash **[ Eli Velez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaelisavelez/) ** Managing Director, Creative Studio DoorDash **[ Adriel Teles](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrielnunes/) ** Head of Brand Design DoorDash **[ Adam Ornelas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamornelas89/) ** Sr. Manager, Influencer & Content DoorDash **[ Ronnie Beach](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabeach/) ** US Sports Lead Wavemaker **[ Jeff Grande](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-grande-87491080/) ** Assoc. Director of Sports, Live & Gaming Wavemaker **[ Dom Esposito](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominick-esposito-2b989284/) ** Manager of Sports, Live & Gaming Wavemaker **[ Alison Goldberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongoldberg2002/) ** Associate of Sports, Live & Gaming Wavemaker **[ Logan Burnett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-burnett-a0524157/) ** Assoc. Director, Digital Investment Wavemaker **[ Sam Lee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-lee-6458bb122/) ** Manager, Digital Investment Wavemaker **[ Khaile Forbes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaileforbes/) ** Assoc. Director, Planning Wavemaker **[ Christian Laguatan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/claguatan-140252140/) ** Manager, Planning Wavemaker #### INSPIRED TO ENTER WORK? Entries to the 9th Hashtag Sports Awards will open in October 2026. Sign up below for announcements, case studies, podcasts, and the prestigious shortlist of nominations. 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