Promoter Slim of Loose Cannon can probably be heard “talking stuff” on a daily basis, so imagine his mouth leading up to basketball game against Nelly, whose squad beat him last year and who has been throwing it up in his face at every opportunity.
Yes, Slim is talking even more stuff – enough to justify earplugs, one could quip.
But Slim soon has to shoot up or shut up.
“We about to kill them – it will probably end at half time,” Slim said, mouthing off as usual.
He gets this second chance to put his game where his mouth is at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Chaifetz Arena, where for the second year Nelly and Derrrty ENT vs. Slim and Loose Cannon.
Dished by Nelly’s Sho4 Kids charity and benefiting his Jus Us 4 Jackie foundation, the Nelly Celebrity Basketball Game is open to people of all ages.
The annual game sort of takes off where the Joe Torry Foundation’s annual Celebrity Basketball Weekend left off.
Like Torry’s game, this entertaining b-ball game is for a good cause, as all proceeds go to Jes Us 4 Jackie, a foundation Nelly started for his late sister Jacqueline “Jackie” Donahue, who transitioned March 24, 2005.
Donahue passed because of complications from leukemia. She was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in March 2001. The disease went into remission by June of that year, but relapsed in January 2003.
Donahue’s survival, as so many other today, depended on marrow transplant, which she couldn’t get in time, though her brother Nelly went around the country holding bone marrow drives.
The foundation was created to make African Americans aware of the disease and the need for marrow and stem cell transplants. To learn more or donate to the foundation visit www.jesus4jackie.com
Like Slim and Nelly, Donahue talked her stuff, but if she was here she would definitely be rooting for her athletic and competitive brother. While Nelly runs his mouth too, unlike Slim he backed it up last year.
Slim said, “He’s been talking stuff almost 367 days since he won last year – I don’t care if we in the studio, on the road, eating – whatever and no matter what I beat him at, he always says, ‘Remember I beat you last year at Harris-Stowe.’”
Slim remembers. He said people always mention it. He’s received letters from jail, sentiments at church and word around town from kids and elders.
“I didn’t know it was that serious, people really paying attention,” Slim said.
Ironically, Slim said he didn’t go hard in the paint on Nelly last year, because Nelly had an album coming, but this go round Nelly’s still doing big things, which is why he was unavailable for this interview.
Along with wrapping up a St. Lunatics album, Nelly is continuing to diversify his business portfolio with a new fragrance and body care line though his Apple Bottoms brand. Nelly teamed with Romane Fragrances to bust out the perfume, Apple Bottoms by Nelly.
The fragrance is due to hit stores nationally this fall.
The girl-magnet rapper also recently helped two St. Louis high school students attend college though the Black and White Scholarship, created in collaboration with Lindenwood University.
A limited amount of tickets to this year’s basketball game will be given to local schools and social organizations.
Attendees will get more than competitive basketball. National Recording Artists Paul Wall and F.L.Y. (“Swag Surfin’”) are set to perform at halftime. The event will also attract some celebrities. NBA’s Larry Hughes and Darius Miles will coach the opposing teams.
Slim said whoever loses has to buy the bar out at Lush where the afterset will take place.
Slim said he should win since he has a basketball background and Nelly has a baseball background. However, Slim’s softball team recently beat Nelly’s softball team.
“It doesn’t matter what I beat him at – he always goes back to the basketball game, but now it’s my turn to do that,” Slim said.
Tickets to the game start as low as $8 and are available at www.metrotix.com or by phone at (314) 534-1111. Doors open at 6 p.m., game tips off at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Chaifetz Arena.
