NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that The Roots will compose and perform an original NBA-themed musical titled “The Evolution of Greatness,” joined by Tony^® Award-winning Hamilton actor Daveed Diggs, Grammy^® Award-winning DJ and producer DJ Jazzy Jeff, actor Michael B. Jordan, recording artist and producer Jidenna, and Grammy^® Lifetime Achievement Award winner Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, prior to the introduction of the 2017 NBA All-Star East and West teams on Sunday, Feb. 19 in New Orleans.  “The Evolution of Greatness” will take viewers through a historical, musical and visual journey from the 1950s to the present.

On Saturday Feb. 18, multi-platinum band and JBL Global Brand Ambassador DNCE will open State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night with a medley of hits including “Cake by the Ocean” and “Body Moves,” while renowned music producer and social media superstar DJ Khaled will thrill fans following the JBL Three-Point Contest and prior to Verizon Slam Dunk at Smoothie King Center.  State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

As previously announced, the NBA All-Star Game halftime show will feature 10-time Grammy^® Award-winning artist John Legend performing a compilation of his current and former hits.  In addition, Louisiana native, music director and bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Jon Batiste and jazz-pop sensation Nikki Yanofsky will sing the U.S. and Canadian national anthems, respectively, prior to the game.

Coverage of the 66^th NBA All-Star Game will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on TNT from Smoothie King Center.  The game and NBA All-Star 2017 Entertainment Series Presented by JBL performances will be seen by fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages.

With HARMAN serving as the Official Sound of the NBA, its audio brand, JBL, will be the presenter of this year’s NBA All-Star Entertainment Series.  JBL will power exciting musical performances during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night in addition to pregame introductions and the halftime show at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.