In a landmark moment for Indian hip-hop and global pop culture, multi-platinum rapper and entertainment icon Badshah is set to become the first Indian rapper to take the court at the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. The event will be held on February 13, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.This year’s Celebrity Game roster reads like a who’s-who of entertainment, sports and media. Alongside Badshah, the lineup includes actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, multi-platinum producer Mustard, rapper GloRilla, NBA champion Jeremy Lin, NFL stars, reality TV personalities and global influencers. The event also features a special halftime performance by the K-pop group CORTIS, marking the first time a K-pop act will perform at the NBA Celebrity Game halftime show.
Badshah has spoken openly about the significance of this opportunity. Describing his participation as a historic milestone, he said this moment is about “breaking boundaries and creating new firsts” while carrying the energy of Indian hip-hop and fans to Los Angeles. The rapper has also shared that basketball has long been a passion, and playing alongside celebrities from music, film and sport is a “true honour.” The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is one of the signature events of NBA All-Star Weekend, blending athleticism with entertainment and global culture. Badshah’s inclusion signals the deepening influence of Indian artists on the international stage, further bridging the worlds of music and sport.
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