“A lot of stars come to St. Louis, but they come to the club or they do a show – but it’s not for all ages,” said popular St. Louis promoter Loosecannon S.L.I.M. “This game is for everybody – the whole family.”
He’s gearing up for his fourth Celebrity Basketball Game (and after party) this weekend at Chaifetz Arena and says Sunday’s game will be the best yet.
“We’ve been doing the game so long, but I’ve never had this many stars of this caliber commit at the same time,” S.L.I.M. said. “To get them all here in St. Louis at the same time is going to be a first.”
Making good on his makeup for an absence for a 314 Day celebration, rap superstar Lil Wayne and several members of his Young Money label will be facing S.L.I.M. and his Loosecannon crew on the court.
A portion of the proceeds from the game going to Better Family Life’s Put Down The Pistol initiative.
“Sometimes the kids don’t want to hear it from the teacher or the principal or the parent,” S.L.I.M. said. “They want to hear it from the people they look up to everyday on TV. And so that’s why I try to get the kids there by bringing the celebrity and then try to get the message off.”
The full roster is yet to be revealed, but Lil Wayne and fellow southern rap star Yo Gotti are confirmed for the game and the after party at Harry’s. S.L.I.M. says the after party will feature live performances as well.
“People can expect some surprises,” S.L.I.M. said about the celebrity lineup for the game and the after party.
“I just have a passion for watching people have a good time,” S.L.I.M. said. “I get a kick out of watching other people have fun. That’s what motivates me to keep going.”
The highlight of the game each year for S.L.I.M. is to see the faces of the children and families having a good time, but he’s managed to have some fun of his own, and make a personal dream of his come true.
“I grew up a Penny Hardaway fan and Penny came to the game a couple of years ago,” S.L.I.M. said. “I stole this move from him when I was like twelve. And I actually did the move – the move I stole from him when I was twelve years old –on him. That was my favorite memory. It was like I was in the NBA for a day. To see you hero – I practiced this move every day – I used to dream about doing it in the NBA when I was little, and to do it on your hero…man! I didn’t make it to the NBA, but it’s like once a year I’m in the NBA.”
He hopes to create similar memories through his game for area youngsters – and family members of all ages. But for him the goal is to get them to see the bigger picture with respect to why he brings the experience back year after year for them to enjoy.
“Hopefully they will get the message, because there’s a message in the game,” S.L.I.M. said. “I want them to see that we can all come together and have a good time and everybody enjoy themselves.”
Loosecannon’s Celebrity Basketball Game will take place at 6 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster outlets. The official afterparty will take place at Harry’s, 2144 Market St. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at DTLR and www.lilwaynestlouis.eventbrite.com.
