Pop culture and the NBA? They go together like long-lost brothers. From rap lyrics to the latest fashion trends, the league has been deeply connected to the entertainment world for decades now. And when it comes to bridging that gap, few have done it like Shaquille O’Neal and Carmelo Anthony. Take Carmelo, for example. His work extends far beyond basketball. From Beyoncé to Jadakiss, countless artists have name-dropped him in their songs. That’s just proof of how deeply he’s embedded in the culture. But remember the era when ‘Hoodie Melo’ took over?

That’s way back when Carmelo was constantly seen training with a hoodie on – and suddenly, everyone – fans and players alike – started copying the look. The phenomenon took over so quickly that even Beyonce couldn’t ignore it. In The Carters’ 2018 song Black Effect, she rapped: “Mobbin’ in a hoodie like Melo.” And now, after all these years, Carmelo has finally let the world in on the real story behind Hoodie Melo. And, spoiler alert, it wasn’t just about looking cool!

On a recent episode of ‘7PM in Brooklyn’, Melo reflected on what the hoodie actually meant to him: “You know what? I looked at it like it took me to get into a mindset, for people to feel my energy”. Turns out, Hoodie Melo wasn’t about style, it was about having a tough mentality. Through that hoodie, Melo was channeling a champion’s mindset and sharing it with the world.

“Like ‘hoodie Melo’ was an energy that I was giving off to people”, he later explained. In fact, after Anthony retired, he admitted, “Beyonce really kind of validated and stamped Hoodie Melo“. So, next time you see someone training in a hoodie, just remember they are getting ready for the grind – and it’s Beyonce approved too!

Carmelo Anthony and the ‘Hoodie Melo’ phenomenon

Back in 2017, Carmelo Anthony found himself at a crossroads. Despite his undeniable talent, his NBA future seemed uncertain. A potential move to the Houston Rockets from the New York Knicks was rumored but never materialized. So, instead of waiting around, Melo got to work. Training under elite NBA trainer Chris Brickley, he started posting workout clips, showing off a game that looked sharper than ever. And in every single video, one thing stood out and that was he was always wearing a hoodie.

But don’t get it wrong, it wasn’t a fashion choice. If you had seen Melo then you would know that the moment the hoodie went up, Melo transformed. His game became more fluid, his intensity was amplified. He was no longer just Carmelo Anthony, he was Hoodie Melo. Former teammate JR Smith put it best, saying, “Hoodie Melo doesn’t play with a conscience. Regular Melo has a guard up, both great but I like hoodie Melo,” highlighting the perceived difference in his approach.

Even Brickley himself took notice of this phenomenon. He hyped up Hoodie Melo on Instagram, fueling the legend. Soon, it wasn’t just fans chatter – but NBA players had started copying Carmelo’s look. And not surprisingly, pop culture embraced it. Now, in 2025, Hoodie Melo is more than a nickname. It’s a mindset, a business venture, and a brand in itself that reminds: no matter where life takes you, the grind never stops.