NBA star Damian Lillard has higher aspirations than simply getting a few props for his rapping ability. In an interview with TMZ, the Portland Trailblazers point guard expressed his desire to win a Grammy Award and be respected as a Hip Hop artist.
After releasing his new album Big D.O.L.L.A. last Friday, the multi-time All-Star spoke on how much he cared about winning awards and receiving critical acclaim.
“I don’t care about it maybe to the level I care about being the MVP or winning a championship,” he said. “But I care about in the sense that how many NBA All-Stars or max contract players can say, ‘I legitimately won a Grammy’ and ‘I legitimately performed at the BET Awards.’ You know what I’m saying? Like, was really taken serious as an artist. Not f my celebrity as a basketball player but really f me doing music.”
He continued, “I think that’s the way I view it. I’m not thirsty for it or searching for it. But I think like 10-15 years from now, I can look back and be like, ‘I really won a Grammy’ or ‘I really performed at the BET Awards’ or ‘I really was like, album the year.’ Stuff like that — I think about stuff like that.”
Lillard was then asked if he felt his Big D.O.L.L.A. LP could legitimately be in contention for music awards.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s possible,” he declared. “I think it all comes down to the support. I know how big playlisting and being able to get on those playlists are]. I’ve gotten the support from my peers. Athletes, comedians, other artists. I got a lot people behind this one, like a thousand times more than any other project I’ve put out. People really supporting. I know they listening and they really respecting it. And that’s half the battle.”
Dame D.O.L.L.A. also confirmed he’d jump at any fer to perform at the Grammys or BET Awards.
“That’s a no-brainer,” he said. “I’m in there.”
Stream Dame D.O.L.L.A. a.k.a. Lillard’s latest album below.