The NBA star’s Chicago legacy transcends the hardwood as alt-rock sensations Dexter and the Moonrocks immortalize his influence in a surprising tribute on their chart-topping debut project.
DeMar DeRozan hasn't played for the Chicago Bulls in years, but apparently his impact in Chicago extends well beyond the basketball court.
Dexter and the Moonrocks, one of alternative rock's fastest-rising bands, released their debut full-length album, Friends That I Don't Like, on Friday. The 14-track album features songs like "Freakin' Out," "Don't Wanna Be High" and "12 Steps," but Bulls fans might be most interested in how the band decided to close the project.
The final track is titled "Outro (Is DeMar DeRozan Dexter?)."
Yes, that DeMar DeRozan.
It's an unexpected crossover between the NBA and alternative rock, but it's also another reminder of the impact DeRozan had during his time in Chicago.
DeRozan arrived in Chicago in 2021 and quickly became one of the faces of the franchise. While his Bulls tenure never produced the postseason success fans hoped for, DeRozan gave Chicago some of its most memorable basketball moments of the post-Derrick Rose era.
The back-to-back game-winning shots against the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards will always stand out. So will the MVP chants, the fourth-quarter takeovers and the stretches where DeRozan seemingly couldn't miss from the midrange.
More importantly, DeRozan connected with Chicago.
Apr 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY SportsThere are players who come through the Bulls organization, put up numbers and eventually move on. Then there are players who leave something behind. DeRozan clearly falls into the second category.
That's what makes Dexter and the Moonrocks using him as the inspiration for the outro of their debut album so cool. They even end the song saying, "We know he doesn't play for the Bulls anymore."
This isn't some small independent project, either. The West Texas band has quickly become a major name in alternative rock. Their breakout song "Freakin' Out" spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart and reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Now, the group is releasing its first full-length album as its profile continues to grow.
And they decided to end that album with DeRozan.
For Bulls fans, it's another example of just how memorable his run in Chicago became.
DeRozan never won a championship with the Bulls. He never even won a playoff series. In the grand scheme of the franchise's history, his tenure was relatively short.
But sometimes a player's impact can't be measured entirely by banners or playoff wins.
DeRozan embraced Chicago, gave Bulls fans unforgettable moments and became one of the most beloved players to wear the jersey in recent memory.
Apparently, he also made enough of an impression to find his way onto an alternative rock album.
That's a pretty unique addition to the DeMar DeRozan Bulls legacy.
