Damian Lillard holds a unique position in Portland’s hip-hop community. Not only is he the Portland Trail Blazers’ beloved starting point guard, he’s also the best rapper in the NBA.
Unsurprisingly, he’s having no trouble exceeding expectations, both as a lyricist and as a supportive force within the scene. Since last summer, Lillard has sold out his first headlining show at the Crystal Ballroom, thrown a stellar local hip-hop show and basketball party for the release of his Dame 3 Rip City Colorway shoe, and dropped his debut LP as Dame D.O.L.L.A., The Letter O. And now he’s finally put out a project that’s solid enough for me to talk about.
Earlier this month, Lillard released his sophomore album, Confirmed, which features Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, and BJ the Chicago Kid. The cover is a photo of Dame holding his hands in prayer and wearing nothing but a crown, a chain, and a watch—no doubt a reminder that it’s “Dame Time.”
