Single: Victor Oladipo – “Rope A Dope” ft. 2 Chainz
The Pacers Guard Connects with Atlanta’s Trap Titan to Fight Divisive Rhetoric with Positivity
9.27.2017
The Song:
With President Donald Trump’s polarizing comments from this past weekend still reverberating across the sports world and beyond, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo delivers a powerful statement of his own as the NBA heads into the preseason. The multi-talented star releases his second single, “Rope A Dope,” an uplifting track about persevering through hardship that is infused with symbolic meaning in the wake of President Trump’s attack on athletes who have been kneeling during the National Anthem to protest the disproportionate amount of injustices and police brutality against people of color. Joining Oladipo on the track is Atlanta’s 2 Chainz, who addresses Trump’s comments head-on with his verse. For Oladipo, however, the song is about bringing people together. “I wanted to address what was going on and bring awareness to it, but in a positive manner,” he says. “I want people to feel inspired and motivated to be great, and to stand up and have confidence. We need to come together as a country to deal with these problems. We aren’t going to solve anything unless we’re united.” “Rope A Dope” is the second single off Oladipo’s debut EP, Songs For You, due out October 6.
Born and raised just outside of Washington, DC in Maryland to immigrant parents, Victor Oladipo would sing in church at 7 or 8 years of age at the request of his mother. A blossoming basketball player, Oladipo’s love of singing was overshadowed by his visibly growing talent. After leading DeMatha High School to a Washington Catholic League Conference victory in his senior year, Oladipo attended Indiana University, where he had yet another fruitful career, eventually becoming Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Finally, Oladipo decided to forego his senior season at Indiana and was second overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2013 NBA Draft. Following the circulation of this TMZ video of Oladipo performing R. Kelly‘s “I Believe I Can Fly,” the basketball star is making moves to catch the attention of fans everywhere with more than just his stellar skills in the paint.
Less than a month ago, Oladipo reinterpreted Donny Hathaway‘s “A Song For You,” passionately covering a verse from the original and appending his own modern narrative to the track’s second half. Last week, the Maryland-native shared the visual for “Song For You,” his first ever music video. The video found Oladipo rocking a low-leaning fedora and an open button down, tinkling the ivories on a brilliant white piano, and serenading the unseen object of his affection in a gorgeous villa.
Listen to “Rope A Dope” ft. 2 Chainz: https://soundcloud.com/victoroladipo/rope-a-dope-ft-2-chainz | https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rope-a-dope-single/id1290329611
Please contact Michelle or Dharmic for more info.
Victor Oladipo Background
Victor Oladipo (born May 4, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born and raised in Maryland right outside of Washington D.C.; he was drafted as the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic and went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie first team. Victor Oladipoâs first four seasons in the NBA have been impressive; Career averages of 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game suggest itâs only a matter of time before heâs an All-Star. Winning the 2016-2017 Dunk of the Year Award for posterizing Dwight Howard proves that watching him play makes all that potential feel even more realâhis game has all the makings of a versatile threat for years to come.
On another note, when Oladipo is not on the court you are likely to catch him practicing his other passion of singing. From admitting that his mom had him singing in church at 7 or 8 years of age to singing being a past hidden talent that has come to the light, Oladipo shows no signs of slowing down. Having sang Usherâs âU Got It Badâ at his alma- mater during Hoosier Hysteria and âNew York, New Yorkâ at the 2015 NBA All-Star Dunk contest, Oladipo is no stranger to the main stage.
TMZ reports, âWhether he’s got a basketball or a microphone in his hand, Victor Oladipo is prettydamn impressive. TMZ Sports has video of the Indiana Pacers star busting out R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” at a Florida water park earlier this summer and we gotta say … dude’s got some golden pipes. Here’s the thing … this wasn’t just a random performance … we talked with Oladipo about it, and he told us his rendition was part of a real deal talent show … AND HE TOOK FIRST PLACE!!â
Oladipo says, âIt could be something feathery!â after mentioning in an interview that the majority of professional athletes that have pursued music have been rappers in the past, could he be one the first to break into the R&B genre and garner success? Oladipo has been in the studio with Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Eric Bellinger, and seen with artist Lilâ Wayne and more. Only the future will tell what will come out of such encounters, lets stay tuned!
Links:
twitter | facebook | soundcloud | instagram
“Rope A Dope” ft. 2 Chainz: https://soundcloud.com/victoroladipo/rope-a-dope-ft-2-chainz | https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rope-a-dope-single/id1290329611
“Song For You”: https://soundcloud.com/victoroladipo/song-for-you // https://youtu.be/ScB892Sg0OU
Bio, press photos, music and more at www.audibletreats.com/victoroladipo