Given the NBA's popularity within the hip-hop world, it's sort of a no-brainer to drop your mixtape during the league's yearly All-Star Weekend. That's exactly what Ron Artest is doing in a new effort that he hopes will build on the viral success of his celebratory 'Champion' single. Released last June, the song became an victorious anthem after Artest's team, the Los Angeles Lakers, won the NBA championship.

Artest's new 'tape is entitled 'Ball'n' and it appears that he's cashed-in some of his credibility to get one of the better list of features around right now. 'Ball'n' includes contributions from iconic rappers like Nas and Bun B, as well as southern big guns like Chamillionaire, Birdman, Gucci Mane, Paul Wall and Three 6 Mafia. The affair is hosted hosted by DJ Felli Fell and premiered earlier today as an exclusive freebie from Vibe.com.

We're sure that even Artest himself would admit he's not the most distinctive lyricist, but that guestlist makes this effort a true must-listen just to see how it all goes down. The set's availability this morning will be followed tomorrow with the release of a limited edition shoe series under the same moniker.

Artest recently joked that his teammate Pau Gasol should follow suit with some bangers of his own making. "I don't have any freestyle lines unfortunately," Gasol cracked. "I wish I did. But I haven't been working on it. But we'll work in it. I have no problem with it. I love challenges."

Listen to Ron Artest's 'Champion'

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