The Brand Liaison Secures Custom NBA Jersey Collab For The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop

By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Mitchell & Ness and Legends Recordings are releasing an exclusive NBA jersey collection designed by Tats Cru for the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.
The partnership for the jersey collection was secured by Legends Recordings exclusive licensing agent for the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop merchandising program, The Brand Liaison.
The custom NBA jersey collection will feature graffiti art designs by Tat Cru that focus on eight US city skylines and the four main elements of hip hop culture and artistic expression, which are MC’ing, graffiti art, DJ’ing, and break dancing.
The city skylines included in the collection are New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Tats Cru is a group of NYC-based graffiti artists who began their artistic careers by creating subway murals in the 1980s. Since Tats Cru’s initial creation, the group has become influential for its role in both hip hop culture and the NYC art scene.
The current members of Tats Cru are Bio (Wilfredo Feliciano), BG183 (Sotero Ortiz), HOW (Raoul Perre), Nicer (Hector Nazario) and NOSM (Davide Perre).
“As avid basketball fans, Tats Cru was honored to create commemorative 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop basketball jersey designs to pay homage to both the culture and the sport,” said Tats Cru artist and co-founder, Bio.
In addition to the Mitchell & Ness jerseys, 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop x Tats Cru collection will include complementary products and accessories such as hats, socks and throws from both Mitchell & Ness and other licensing partners.
Mitchell & Ness is a sports-related lifestyle brand that focuses on developing and manufacturing nostalgic apparel and accessories.
Mitchell & Ness partners with brands such as the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, and more to create co-branded sportswear and streetwear collections.
The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop x Tats Cru jersey collection is scheduled for release in October 2023 to coincide with the start of the 2023-24 NBA season and Hip Hop History Month in November.
The global music label, Legends Recordings is the official licensor of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop trademarks and art assets such as photography, original graffiti graphics, vintage concert flyers, ticket stubs, break dancing imagery and more.
The Brand Liaison has built an extensive program for Legends Recordings Hip Hop Anniversary brand that includes licensing deals and collaborations with Ecko, Coogi, Haus of JR, Isaac Morris Limited, Philcos, Ata Boy, and many more.