Orlando: Hip Hop’s Capital for the Weekend
By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
The State of Florida is often a top destination for both the every-day people, the wealthy, and the celebrities. Families often travel to Orlando, while young adults and singles set Miami in their sights. Both cities have their attractions, but Orlando lives in the shadow of Miami in nearly every way.
In basketball, Orlando had the discinction of being the first Florida-based NBA team to have true success, as Shaquille O’Neal started his career with the Magic. But, when O’Neal bolted from Orlando to Los Angeles, the Miami Heat built a reputation of being the more-successful team. They would eventually do what the Magic could not, winning a championship and O’Neal played for the squad, salting the wound.
There was a brief period of time when the Miami Heat fell from prominence and the Orlando Magic established themselves as one of the top teams in the NBA. Dwight Howard showed the world he was more than highlights, but the Magic’s run was over as soon as it started. Three years later, Howard is asking to be traded. However, Orlando’s success over the past few seasons has not gone unnoticed by the NBA, who has decided to hold their All-Star Game festivities in Orlando.
With Orlando being the top destination for basketball, for the weekend, it is only natural the hip hop game follows. For this short period of time, the city of Orlando is in the spotlight for everything. Miami became one of the top hip hop spots a few years ago, overshadowing Orlando in that category, also. But, everyone from Rick Ross to Ace Hood is in Orlando, performing at different clubs in the city. Orlando-based hip hop artists view this as their chance to get noticed.
Meanwhile, the streets of Orlando are littered with hip hop stars, as rappers from all over the country are in town. Last night, a photo of MMG artist, Meek Mill, along with Yo Gotti, were photographed in a local Orlando mall. The rappers have been live and in effect and now the NBA stars have arrived in town. Yesterday, footage of Dwyane Wade having a good time with Ace Hood in Orlando appeared online and tomorrow night, Wade, along with the other stars of the NBA, will take the court at Amway Arena to battle things out before going back home.
But, for this weekend, Orlando has had the chance to be the big brother to Miami, for once.