NBA 2K11 is in the conversation for being the best sports gaming title of all time. It revolutionized the genre and dethroned NBA Live as the basketball simulation king. Something that has always stuck out to me was the games soundtrack.

A thread on the tracklist n my thoughts:

For me, a sports game soundtrack can enhance the experience you have as a player. It makes going through menus, grinding out sessions, and improving your skills much more enjoyable activities.
1/5

They can create lifelong memories as the songs you’ve never known become personal anthems that take you back to a time where life’s current stresses didn’t exist.
2/5

In the past few years, the soundtrack curation of NBA 2K has become more of a marketing tool for artists that have a large following than for the less known. It’s understandable as each title has sold more than the last and that means gaining new fans and more $$$.
3/5

I wholeheartedly believe the success of the series thus far was due to 2k11 as it sold nearly 4 million copies by august of that year which was the fastest the b-ball sim reached this amount of sales at the time ever. A lot of factors play into that.
4/5

1. NBA Elite 11 ( NBA Live) was canceled right at launch. 2. The game itself was fucking great.

Okay so the point. I’m writing this up bc the developers of the game gave the consumers a listening experience that was weird, fun, a bit risky, and impressionable.
5/5

List below

Sirius by The Alan Parsons Project: “Are you ready”? Seriously the best intro of a sports game ever. The Iconic MJ Bulls intro music. Chills every time I’ve seen the video. Side note: before the pregame there’s a little MJ tribute that feels like you’re about to see the avengers

Champions by Ron Artest (Metta World Peace): The Lakers one the previous championship and songs like that were commonplace during this era of sports gaming. The hook is catchy though. Probably the weakest song on the list but we gotta get it out the way.

Over by DrakeThe first track I remember hearing when loading up the game beyond the MJ Intro was Boi-1da and Drake's song Over. It was a banger and well known by most of hip-hop/ top 40 fans but it set the tone. The orchestra sample will never not give me chills. Top 5 Drake song

Shutterbug by Big Boi is a funky track that honestly has a kick that sounds like a basketball being dribbled. The Vocoder effect used throughout the song is everything and I wish more artists used it. Great track from a great artist that has a very underrated solo career.

Hollywood by Art vs. Science is a synthy, groovy track that has some chant-like elements that feel like it could be used to pump up a stadium during a 3rd quarter time out. Has some daft french house inspiration in there for you JUSTICE fans out there. Awesome band name.

Rocketship by Big Rock Mountain is a change of pace as it is more of a 2010s era alternative cut that you could squeeze in a fall out boy type playlist. If you like alt-rock then this along with the tracks soon to come will def scratch the itch

Red Rollerskates by the Brunettes is a bouncy pop track from the New Zealand band that will make your head move without you noticing it. Quality menu music for sure.

Little by Little by The Chicharones is a track that embodies early 2010s rap. If you know the duo, Chiddy Bang, then you know hat I’m referring to. It’s a ‘pass the baton’ type of song where verses flow right after the other.

We’re Here To Save The Day (feat. Asher Roth) by The Constellations is a song that shows the personality range of the soundtrack. The hook is hypnotic and the first two verses are almost like being a part of a circus. Asher Roth comes in on the back end and provides a nice verse.

Symphonies (feat. Kid Cudi) by Dan Black is just an awesome song. I’ll not smile when I hear Cudi say “ Hey mommy” and hits the hum that is his calling card. The composition is really beautiful and it’s one of my favorites on the tracklist.

Delorean by Deli is a return to more of that rhythmic vibe the tracklist tends to grind on like a skater on a handrail. Another upbeat pop song that breathes new life into the list with its airy vocals matched with chords and a kick drum that feels like a heartbeat.

Hope by Failsafe is one of two songs that the band has on the soundtrack. Think of a Christian music version of Paramore. I really enjoy this song as it reminds me of all those alt-rock bands I loved back then. Only If We Learn, their second song, is a bit more direct but nice.

Bow Down (To No Man) by Hogni is a folky track that has some blue influences in how the lyrics are sung. The drums are rhythmic and carry the song to its end. One of the weaker songs on the list IMO but definitely grew on me over time.

Downtime by Kidz in Space is a track that feels like it has its phasers set to stun. The cadences of the verses feel very Graduation era Kanye like which makes sense because he’s one of the most influential artists of the last 20 years.

It's Not Over Yet by Middleman: A song that is as close to a pop-rock song as you can get. The hook is contagious and won’t leave your head once heard after long periods of MyPlayer or Association.

So Far by The Redland: A smooth track that is great menu flipping music. Easy listening due to the great bass line. More Kanye vibes all over the verses. This is a safe song but executes its job flawlessly.

Crown of Thorns (feat. Aloe Blacc) by Rakaa: The song that made me want to do this thread. Has the video game hook god himself in Aloe Blacc literally giving the HOF performance on this track. A religious track but it doesn’t feel like it. The verses are good too. Quality song

Paul Simon by The Russian Futurists is one of two songs the band has on the tracklist. Feels a bit like montage music or the song you’d hear at the end of an Adam Sandler comedy. The production is fun and reminds me of 13 yo me.
(1/2)

Precious Metals is the second song and while it keeps similar aesthetics it has a nice drum loop going that feels more like family vacation movie rather than a traditional family movie.
(2/2)

I can Talk by Two Door Cinema Club - Kitsuné remix: A groovy pop remix that is another menu music banger. We are coming to an end of the tracklist here and it’s a nice second to last song that captures what was achieved throughout the list; grooves mane.

Pourin It On by Dux Jones is a midwest rap song for sure. A basketball track. It’s probably isn't something I’d listen to on its own but within the tracklist its a nice break from the stretch of alt music.

Finale: The Soundtrack holds a special place in my soul as well as many other fans of the series. A GOAT Level soundtrack that only helps keeps the best installment of the NBA 2K series at its high pedestal.

I hope in the future we can get similar levels of STs with songs that feel like it was meant to be there instead of solely being chosen because it's one of the bigger songs at the time.