In January 2017, Philadelphia’s own Ms. Jade joined me on Scoop B Radio for a session that explored the unbreakable bond between hip-hop and the hardwood. While the NBA had recently inducted Allen Iverson into the Hall of Fame, Ms. Jade’s “buttoned-up” perspective focused on why “The Answer” was more than just a basketball player to the city of Philadelphia—he was a cultural mirror.
Reflecting on this in December 2025—as Iverson’s influence remains visible in every guard from Russell Westbrook to the Spurs’ own De’Aaron Fox—Ms. Jade’s words highlight the era when Iverson “had the city on smash.”
“This Little Guy That Had So Much Heart”
Ms. Jade, who rose to prominence under the wing of Timbaland, noted that Iverson’s appeal was rooted in his physical defiance. In an era of giants, a 6-foot (on a good day) guard was carrying an entire franchise—and a city—on his back.
“I think that Allen Iverson was one of the best players that there was, particularly in my era,” Ms. Jade told me. “First of all, he had the city on smash because he was this little guy that had so much heart. That stood out, and I think from his heart that he was passionate about basketball.”
The “Cousin” Factor: Authenticity in the Hip-Hop Era
Beyond the stats (26.7 PPG, 11x All-Star), Ms. Jade emphasized that Iverson was the first superstar who didn’t ask for permission to be himself. He brought the cornrows, the tattoos, and the “Practice” rants to the forefront, bridging the gap between the music studio and the arena.
- The Connection: Ms. Jade remarked that Iverson reminded people of “your cousin or somebody like that.” He felt accessible and real.
- The Trendsetter: She credited him with making it “okay” to rock jerseys and arm sleeves in the studio, a trend that artists like Drake and Rick Ross continue in 2025.
- The Impact: Iverson didn’t just play for Philly; he was Philly. His fearless play style became the blueprint for the “modern guard” archetype.
| The Iverson Impact | Detail |
| Scoring Rank | 6th-best career scoring average in NBA history (26.7 PPG). |
| Cultural Status | Defined the “Hip-Hop Era” of the NBA. |
| Philly Legacy | “Had the city on smash” during the 2001 Finals run. |
| Successors | Cited as a primary influence by Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving. |
2025 Retrospective: The Immortal Answer
Today, as we look at the NBA in late 2025, Iverson’s DNA is everywhere. From the “clutch” gene seen in today’s superstars to the way players control their own brands, A.I. was the “Key One” who started it all. Ms. Jade’s 2017 session on Scoop B Radio serves as a reminder that before there were “superteams,” there was one “little guy” with enough heart to move a mountain.
As Ms. Jade said to me:
“You knew he was from the hip-hop era. It made you say, ‘Oh, I can rock with him.’”
In 2025, the world is still rocking with Allen Iverson.
