Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Talks Attending Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium Shows, Drake Friendship & Which Rapper Soundtracked His Comeback

NBA star Jayson Tatum knows all about the biggest stage, whether that’s playing in the NBA Finals or Olympics. Still, there was something different about seeing Jay-Z perform at a sold-out Yankee Stadium over 30 years into his Hall of Fame career.

“Just to see someone doing this for over 30-ish years and at his age perform three nights in a row,” says Tatum, who attended night two celebrating The Blueprint and night three’s Extra Innings. “It was kind of like a celebration and appreciation for his music and his artwork, and obviously to all the guests that he brought out.”

Billboard caught up with the face of the Boston Celtics in the library of St. Raymond High School in The Bronx at Jordan Brand’s NY vs. NY basketball tournament on July 28, which brings some of the best high-school hoopers the country has to offer to the Big Apple.

While he was behind enemy lines in NYC as a member of the rival Celtics, Tatum was treated to a hero’s welcome, as the All-Star forward’s appearance sent the kids in the crowd into a frenzy.

The St. Louis native’s Jay-Z fandom was passed on to him by his parents, but another one of his favorite rappers is Drake, who he discovered when the 6 God dropped So Far Gone in 2009. Tatum recalls going to Best Buy to purchase a CD of Drizzy’s Thank Me Later debut album as a middle schooler.

Years later, Tatum would develop a friendship with Drake and the OVO team in the early stages of his NBA career, which has become a stronger bond.

“Being able to have a relationship with [Drake], Chubbs, Mr. Morgan, Future [the Prince], all those guys are like family,” he says. “It dates back to my rookie year when I met all those guys. When I won a championship and got injured, all those guys reached out.”

Tatum, 28, is entering his 10th year in the league and he’ll look to lead a reshaped Boston Celtics team back to the mountaintop. Find the rest of our interview with the 2024 NBA champion below.

I saw you were at the Hov shows at Yankee Stadium. What was your main takeaway leaving that?

That was an incredible atmosphere to be a part of. I went to The Blueprint and Extra Innings. It was just kind of cool to experience.

Did you have a favorite moment from the weekend?

My favorite part was when he brought Rihanna out for “Run This Town” because she don’t come outside like that music-wise at least anymore. To see her come out and the crowd’s reaction. She did something that was very cool. After she did “Run This Town,” she did one more song and was like, “Yo, bear with me, it’s been a minute.” She was being honest and that was cool to hear her say that.

You’ve mentioned Drake, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne as your favorite artists. If you could pick a favorite song or album from each of them that sticks with you, which would it be?

Lil Wayne would be Dedication 2. Jay-Z would be The Blueprint. My favorite Hov song is “All I Need.” And Drake, I might say Thank Me Later because that was the last time I went in a store and bought a hard copy of an album. I had to be like 12 years old. I remember going to Best Buy and buying the CD.

You also have a friendship with Drake. He brought you out at his 2023 show in Boston. What was that like?

That was cool. So Far Gone came out in 2009. I listened to Jay-Z because that’s what my parents were listening to. Drake is more like middle school, high school and now as an adult. When I’m outside, that’s what I listen to. I think everybody’s a Drake fan. His longevity, since 2009, to [still] be at the top, has been remarkable.

Drake was rocking your dad’s practice jersey at Saint Louis University. I don’t know how he got that.

Me either; that was a surprise to me. He was in Australia and my dad coaches in Australia. He gets real creative with stuff like that.

Do you have a Song of the Summer?

Probably [Drake’s] “Shabang.” “Firm Friends” might be my favorite song on [ICEMAN].

Did you have a song or artist that pushed you to keep going during your rehab from Achilles surgery?

I listened to a lot of Belly Gang [Kushington]. When I first got injured and I was going to rehab in Boston, and this was early, probably like the first six to eight weeks, like still on crutches and on the scooter, one of my best friends told me about him one day. I was listening to him in the weight room, in the sprinter and going to rehab every single day. He was on tour with Lil Wayne, and they came to Boston and I got to say what’s up to him.