Big Boi and his family show off the Outkast vinyl figures at the Atlanta Hawks game on Dec. 2. (Photo courtesy Atlanta Hawks)
The Dec. 2 Atlanta Hawks matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers was a hometown celebration of music, culture, and sports. The team honored iconic rap duo Outkast following their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last month.
Big Boi, one-half of the legendary group, was in attendance, joined by longtime producer Sleepy Brown, while Usher sat courtside to celebrate the festivities.
To mark the occasion, the Hawks gave away special-edition Outkast-themed vinyl figures to the first 5,000 fans through the doors. The figures were designed by Handmade By Robots and feature the duo in Hawks gear. State Farm’s in-house DJ kept the atmosphere alive all night long playing tracks spanning Outkast’s entire catalog blending throwbacks, deep cuts, and fan favorites like “Hey Ya!”
Sleepy Brown (Courtesy Atlanta Hawks)
Usher (Courtesy Atlanta Hawks)
Halftime featured a special tribute from Tri-Cities High School, the duo’s alma mater. The Marching Bulldog Band delivered a performance that brought the arena to its feet, carrying the momentum into the second half of the game.
Outkast Night was a clear hit with fans and served as another reminder of how deeply Atlanta celebrates its musical icons. This isn’t the first collaboration between the Hawks and Outkast; in 2020 they released a special edition Outkast ’94 jersey, which sold out almost immediately. Today the jersey resells for $400-$700, a testament to the demand and value of the collaboration. There’s no doubt last night’s vinyl figures will become a high-valued collectors item.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will host Divine 9 Night on Friday, Dec. 5, celebrating the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. A special ticket package includes a limited-edition Divine 9 bucket hat, a $10 food and beverage credit, and a $5 donation to NPHC of Greater Atlanta. Tickets are available here.