Detroit Pistons Bring Tee Grizzley’s ‘First Day Out’ To Electrify Playoff Intros
NBA franchise taps hometown rapper for high-energy playoff atmosphere.

Image: Instagram
The Detroit Pistons have brought hometown energy to their playoff introductions by featuring Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley performing his breakout hit “First Day Out” to pump up the crowd.
In a recent Instagram post, the Pistons shared a glimpse of the electrifying performance that took place during player introductions for their playoff game. The image shows Tee Grizzley performing on the court with the caption “First Day Out… Check out @teegrizzley’s performance during our playoff intros.”
The Motor City Playoff Atmosphere
The Pistons’ playoff appearance marks a significant milestone for the franchise that has been working to rebuild in recent years. As the team noted in one of their recent posts, “Hey Detroit, ain’t it a blessing? We made it to the playoffs after all that happened.” This sentiment captures the journey the team has been on and the significance of their return to postseason basketball.
The franchise has been intentional about creating what they’ve described as “The BEST playoff atmosphere” for fans at Little Caesars Arena. By bringing in Tee Grizzley, whose “First Day Out” became an anthem in Detroit after its 2016 release, the team connected their on-court playoff return with authentic Detroit culture.
Legends And Current Stars
The Pistons’ history includes three NBA championships (1989, 1990, and 2004), with the team having been established in 1941 as the Fort Wayne Pistons before moving to Detroit in 1957. The franchise’s playoff return connects current players with this rich legacy.
Current players have stepped up during the playoff push. The team highlighted Tim Hardaway Jr. with a post celebrating his “Back to back triples” that energized the crowd. Fans have responded with enthusiasm, even starting “MVP” chants for standout performers, showing the connection between the team and its supporters during this playoff run.
Tee Grizzley’s Detroit Connection
Tee Grizzley’s performance of “First Day Out” carries special significance for Detroit fans. The song, released after Grizzley’s release from prison in 2016, became an anthem of perseverance and redemption that resonated throughout Detroit. The track’s title and theme parallel the Pistons’ own return to the playoff stage after a period of rebuilding.
The choice to feature Grizzley’s performance during player introductions demonstrates how the franchise is embracing authentic Detroit culture as part of their identity during this playoff run. The rapper’s energetic delivery of the track helped create the intense atmosphere the team was looking to establish for their home playoff games.
As the Pistons continue their playoff journey, the combination of hometown talent like Tee Grizzley, support from Detroit’s other sports teams, and the presence of franchise legends has created a uniquely Detroit playoff experience that celebrates both the team’s storied past and its promising future.

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