It is of common knowledge that the influence of someone like LeBron James goes well beyond the basketball landscape. He uses it on his benefit, obviously, but sometimes it is fascinating who else he shares the spotlight with. This time, he has helped to motivate a historic rise of the Atlanta-based punk rock band, The Paradox.
The shoutout came after the group’s recent single, “Get The Message,” officially climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, becoming a massive achievement for the band as it marks the first time an all-Black group has ever topped that specific ranking.
“Life doesn’t feel real”
For the four members of The Paradox: Eric Dangerfield (vocals/guitar), Donald Bryant (bass), Christopher “Xelan” Bernard (guitar), and Percy “PC3” Crews (drums); the acknowledgment from LeBron James was the ultimate “wake me up” moment.
Speaking with TMZ Sports just hours after James shared their milestone on his Instagram Story, the band could not hide their evident emotions.
“That’s insane!! LeBron is one of the GOATs. To know he supports what we do, much less knows we exist, is mind-blowing. A little over a year and a half ago, this was an idea I was throwing around in my head, and now LeBron James is posting our band on his Insta story
For a project that began as a side quest for frontman Eric Dangerfield less than two years ago, Bron’s endorsement felt like a cosmic validation of the hard work they have put since the very beginning. That is a great job done right there.
The deep meaning of their single
While the LeBron shoutout brought new, popular eyes to the group, the Billboard milestone itself is a cultural reset for the Alternative genre. Rock music was built on Black foundations, yet the Alternative Airplay chart has rarely reflected that diversity at the top spot.
The band’s latest EP, NSFW, released via Hundred Days Records, has solidified their true identity, serving as a nostalgic yet fresh blend of early 2000s pop-punk energy laced with modern nuances.
The single, “Get The Message” remains a powerhouse on the radios, currently holding strong in the Top 5. The band is currently touring internationally, supporting All Time Low on their “Everyone’s Talking!” tour across Europe and the UK.
The Paradox is no longer a viral product but the new faces of American punk.
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