As a Cleveland native, LeBron James found inspiration in the music of the city's famed local rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Their unique style, sound, and powerful lyrics resonated with James, fueling his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player.
For those who didn't know, Bone Thugs' songs served as a window to the struggles and triumphs of life in the inner city. As young LeBron and his friends listened to the group's music, they found motivation and strength to overcome obstacles and push themselves to excel on the basketball court.
"It gave us a sense of like we can get out," James told Bally Sports Ohio & Great Lakes in 2017. "You have people in your backyard have an opportunity to get out of the situation and make it mainstream and make something out of their lives by telling the story or playing sport. That gave us even more confidence in the sense of, like, when we went on AAU tournaments, you know, in different states, that we have someone to root for in our backyard, and we was listening to people that was making great music when we was growing up."
"It just gave us a sense of attitude, sense of pride and a sense of just have an opportunity to say like, 'Listen, if we can put this thing together, we can get out as well,'" he continued.
From a kid from Akron to The GOAT
James has come a long way from being a young boy from Cleveland, Ohio. Like the Bone Thugs, he also faced challenging circumstances growing up. Nevertheless, James remained unfazed and stayed focused on honing his game, just like what Bone Thugs induced people to do through their songs.
Apart from the God-given talent, James' passion and dedication to the game were evident from an early age, unsurprisingly catching the attention of coaches and fans alike. Upon joining St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, LeBron wasted no time and quickly made an impact on the team.
Before long, James became the most sought-after high school player in the country, and the world witnessed how he broke into the scene. As LeBron transitioned from high school to the NBA, hoops fans watched in awe as he showcased his impeccable skills.
James was selected by, of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers as their first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Right off the bat, he delivered sensational performances and eventually earned numerous accolades and championships. Fast forward to the present, LeBron is now arguably the greatest player to ever play the game.
LeBron is now an inspiration in Cleveland
As his success morphed, James made it a point to inspire his fellow Cleveland natives, sort of like how Bone Thugs did to him growing up. True to form, "The King" has been dedicated to giving back to his community through his LeBron James Family Foundation.
The organization focuses on helping less fortunate and at-risk children in Akron, Ohio, by providing them with educational opportunities, resources, and support to help them thrive. From offering scholarships to creating innovative programs like the "I PROMISE School," James is making a lasting impact on the lives of countless kids in his hometown.
Related: ”Can LeBron sing, ya'll?” — Randy Jackson on if he would be willing to make music with LeBron James
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