In the hip-hop community, there are a few lines from songs that are recognized worldwide. Lyrics that once you hear them can easily be associated with the person who said it.

“I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA,” is Kendrick Lamar.

“I don’t dance now, I make money moves,” says the superstar Cardi B.

And how could we ever forget that deep melodic sound that came from one of the greatest rappers of all time, The Notorious BIG, when he eloquently said,

“It was all a dream, I use to read Word Up magazine.”

Now, wait. Before you reach for your phone to access whatever streaming service you use to listen to music. Let me give you one more. On June 23, 2018, in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center (Home of the Houston Rockets – Congrats to James Harden 2018 NBA MVP), there were two rap lyrics that have become synonymous with greatness. And as soon as I heard them coming down the hallway, I already knew who it was.

“Yaee Yaae”

Yes. You guessed it right. Rapper/Actor/Director/Co-Founder of the BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube was in the building. The BIG3 basketball league held its 2018 Opening Night here in Houston and it lived up to the hype that surrounded it. “Houston is a great sports town and the fans really got out and showed a lot of support,” said Ice Cube, whose real name is O’Shea Jackson. There were some special invited guests of the co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league in attendance as well for opening night. On the Wednesday leading up to the game, a group of single moms were surprised with free tickets to the event.

“We got to salute the single mothers, so I am here to spread a little love. We wanted to give some free tickets away and let them have a night out to enjoy themselves,” said the mega superstar Ice Cube.

The BIG3 opening also was a welcome home for one of Houston’s most iconic sports figures. Former University of Houston and Houston Rockets player Clyde Drexler received a loud ovation when he was introduced before tip-off. Drexler became the Commissioner of the BIG3 basketball league back in March of this year.

“I thought it was a great opening week. Houston showed up and showed out,” said the 15-year NBA veteran who is also in the Hall of Fame. “We have an incredible mayor, great leadership, and the Toyota Center is a great place to play,” Drexler went on to say when asked why it was so important to have an opening night here.

Friday night was also the homecoming of another sports iconic figure from the Greater Houston area (Alief). The 2017 BIG3 MVP Rashard Lewis returned to put on a great performance in winning fashion. “It felt good being home, but the most important part was, we got the win,” said the former Seattle Supersonics forward.

Fans in attendance were very entertained by the performances of the former NBA players on the opening night of the BIG3 basketball league. It probably had former rapper turned CEO Ice Cube walking out singing to himself, “Today was a good day.”