Fans React to Jaylen Brown’s Surprising Collaboration with A$AP Ferg

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has had an eventful summer. In June, he secured the NBA Finals MVP title. By July, he was traveling around the globe, and most recently, he dropped a music track with his friend and Harlem rapper A$AP Ferg.

The song, titled “JUST DO IT,” initially seemed to be a jab at Nike. Brown and the renowned shoe company have a history of disputes, with Brown recently accusing Nike of influencing his exclusion from Team USA for the Paris Olympics. Despite the use of Nike’s well-known slogan in the title, the brand itself isn’t mentioned directly in the track.

Interestingly, the song is less of a diss and more reminiscent of R&B. Brown even showcases a bit of singing before diving into his rap verses. The smooth blend of singing and rapping presents a surprising shift from what some may have expected given his grievances with Nike.

When fans and social media users got wind of Brown’s new musical venture, reactions were mixed. Initially, the track leaked on X (formerly Twitter), and users quickly shared their thoughts. Although the snippet was eventually removed, it featured the first two minutes of the song. A key takeaway line from the track is: “Balling ain’t the only thing I know,” a sentiment Brown has consistently demonstrated in his life.

Brown is known for his diverse interests outside of basketball. The California Berkeley graduate is an activist, a public speaker, a philanthropist, a chess player, and now, a rapper. He’s always strived to be recognized beyond just his basketball career. His collaboration with Ferg isn’t entirely unexpected, as it fulfills a wish the rapper expressed in a 2021 interview with Rolling Loud. Ferg mentioned then that if he could choose any NBA player for a music feature, it would be Brown.

On Thursday, their collaboration became a reality, including a music video for “JUST DO IT.” The six-minute visual journey shows Ferg visiting Brown and lifting his spirits before they cruise around the city, eventually stopping at the Encore Boston Harbor hotel. This segment subtly nods to Brown’s issues with Nike and his exclusion from Team USA, capturing news clips that Brown then promptly silences, both physically and metaphorically.

This brief moment was the closest Brown came to explaining the meaning behind the “JUST DO IT” title. The rest of the video features predictable visual elements, with Brown and Ferg rapping together alongside dancing models. The video ends with Brown waking up, suggesting that everything witnessed was a dream.

However, not everyone was thrilled with Brown’s musical debut. As with any new artistic endeavor, it sparked a range of opinions. Some X users critiqued Brown’s sound and questioned his decision to enter the rap scene. Others speculated that discussions surrounding an NBA player’s rap song are just a symptom of offseason boredom.

Regardless of the mixed reactions, Brown seems determined to forge his own path. He’s faced obstacles throughout his NBA career, from being booed on draft day to enduring trade rumors and scrutiny over his postseason performances. None of these challenges have derailed him, and his ability to persevere was never more evident than when he held the Bill Russell Trophy in June.

Source: ClutchPoints