Known for roles in films like Black Belt Jones, Enter The Dragon, and Three The Hard Way, Jim Kelly was a familiar face to lovers of 1970s low-budget films. At drive-in's and grind-houses, these works may be today remembered as Blaxploitation works—statements on race and culture, big on stereotypes and... Read more

Fifteen years ago this month, Gina Prince-Bythewood made her directorial debut with Love & Basketball. Starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, the film became a quintessential love story for an entire generation of fans unused to seeing faces of color in this context on the silver screen. The Shadow League... Read more

Along with Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson is one of the first athletes of the Hip-Hop generation who wore the culture on his sleeve. From the cornrows to the saggy jeans, The Answer was a rebel who compromised for no one. That attitude made Iverson a force on the court, but... Read more

Along with commercials like Michael Jordan's "Be Like Mike" Gatorade campaign and Anfernee Hardaway's "Lil Penny" series, few basketball ads from the 90s are more iconic than Larry Johnson's "Grandmama" campaign for Converse. The series launched during Johnson's rookie year with the Charlotte Hornets in 1991-92. The spots featured LJ... Read more

The Academy Award-winning and Grammy Award-winning Rhymefest has a lot going for him. Che Smith isn't rushing back into the lab to make another album. With the hot hand, 'Fest is instead opening up into his compelling story. At the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival, Rhymefest will premiere In My Father's... Read more

Shade 45's Sway in the Morning show has become the home of some of the realest interviews in media. Many of the most poignant moments in an otherwise slew of mundane conversations, have come in the midst of discussions with the iconic Sway. His 2013 exchange with Kanye West sent... Read more

Fast approaching, May 2 may be the biggest day in boxing history—at least for the last 40 years. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao's "Fight Of The Century" promises to live up to its name, nearly eight years in the making. The undefeated 38 year-old "Money Mayweather" will take on eight-division... Read more

2 Chainz has partnered with GQ for a tongue in cheek series where he travels the world to partake in its most outrageously costly offerings. In the second episode of season two of the show, aptly-titled The Most Expensivest Sh*t Ever, 2 Chainz and Big Sean are treated to the... Read more

Meet Shawn Martinbrough, a prolific artist in the comic book industry who recently sat down with The Shadow League. In this 2-part interview, he gives lots of insight on his work, getting into the industry, and the shift in culture he's experienced. Even if you're just a casual comic book... Read more

Two hundred and ninety billionaires are reported to have joined the elite club in the last year, according to a new report from Forbes magazine. One of those tycoons is six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan. MJ made a reported $90 million alone from his Air Jordan Nike-backed brand between 2013... Read more

By now, it's crystal clear the apple did not fall far from the tree when it comes to Stephen Curry's NBA skills. His father, Dell, spent 16 years in the league and was one of its most feared sharp-shooters. But, when did the talents of young Stephen, a leading candidate... Read more

Two historical figures. One instilled fear in the heart of hearts of his opponents in the boxing ring. The other instilled hope and passion for a new beginning for an entire nation. These men, "Iron Mike Tyson" and Nelson Mandela were very much in the daily conversation 25 years ago... Read more

In a recent interview with The Shadow League, A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg shared his relationship with sports and how he eventually got into basketball after dabbling in baseball and football. Most could tell Phife was a sports fanatic by the many sports references in his raps, but Phife... Read more

While combat sports and martial arts hit a pop culture pinnacle (especially in the United States) during the 1980s, many artforms date back decades prior. Kickboxing, the subject of a popular 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film Bloodsport, and a host of other Hollywood films to varying successes, goes back to... Read more

Taping "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in Los Angeles this week, what better for Jimmy to set the stage than pay homage to "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" opening? That's exactly what the late night host did, involving Alfonso Ribeiro ("Carlton Banks") and DJ Jazzy Jeff ("Jazz") from the hit,... Read more