WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Starting 5.
Netflix’s new NBA docuseriesStarting 5features an extensive soundtrack full of popular tracks. Directed by Peter J. Scalettar (Supreme Team) and produced by Peyton Manning (Quarterback) and Barack and Michelle Obama (Leave the World Behind),Starting 5takes a behind-the-scenes look at the off-the-court lives of five of the NBA’s biggest starsand most talented players.Starting 5follows Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. The 10-part series released in full on July 18, 2025.
Starting 5also includes never-before-seen footageof these five NBA talents during the regular season and playoffs, including previously unreleased audio and in-game commentary between players, coaches, and other NBA personnel. The series thoughtfully pieces together some of the common themes between these five NBA superstars, such as their personal battles with injury, legacy, and fame, as well as their roles as fathers, partners, and public figures.Starting 5releases just one day after the start of the 2024-2025 NBA Preseason andchronicles the entire 2023-2024 season up to the Boston Celtics' NBA Finals victoryin June 2024.
Starting 5 Episode 1 Songs
“Meet the Hoopers Part 1”
“Run It (feat. Rick Ross & Rich Brian)” by DJ Snake: This 2021 dance track featuring rapper Rick Ross plays around the 1:40 minute mark at the very beginning ofStarting 5.
“Worship” by Jon Batiste: This 2023 feel-good pop song by 5-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste plays around the 3-minute mark during the intro sequence ofStarting 5episode 1.
“Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…” by Jay-Z: This 2007 hip-hop track by Jay-Z plays around the 5-minute mark inStarting 5episode 1 as LeBron James raps the lyrics word-for-word in his car.
“Sugar, We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy: This iconic 2005 emo rock anthem plays around the 11-minute mark inStarting 5episode 1 as Jimmy Butler explains his “Emo Jimmy” look for the NBA’s 2023 Media Day.
“I’m Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys: This classic Bostonian theme song plays around the 17-minute mark inStarting 5episode 1 as Jayson Tatum recalls how it felt to be drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017.
“Life Is What You Make It (feat. DMX)” by Nas: This 1999 Nas hip-hip song is recited by LeBron James around the 21:20 mark inStarting 5episode 1 as he stretches before the 2023 season opener.
“We Are the Champions” by Queen: This legendary victory song by Queen plays around the 23-minute mark inStarting 5episode 1 as the Denver Nuggets raise their 2023 NBA Championship banner on their home court.
“La Traviata, Act I: Libiamo ne' lieti calici” by Giuseppe Verdi: This famous opera melody plays around the 36:30 minute mark towards the end ofStarting 5episode 1 as Jimmy Butler explains his competitive spirit in basketball and dominoes.
“ooh la la (feat. DJ Premier, Greg Nice & Lil Wayne [Remix]” by Run the Jewels: This 2021 hip-hop track plays as Anthony Edwards drives his Lamborghini to the Minnesota Timberwolves arena at the end ofStarting 5episode 1.
Starting 5 Episode 2 Songs
“Meet the Hoopers Part 2”
“FLY” by Quavo & Lenny Kravitz: This 2024 hip-hip song plays at the start ofStarting 5episode 2 over a highlight reel of some of Anthony Edwards' best career dunks in the NBA.
“Breathe” by Yeat: This 2024 hit-hop track by rising rapper Yeat plays around the 16-minute mark inStarting 5episode 2 as Domantas Sabonis is introduced in the series.
“Swat” by J Balvin & Luar La L: This 2024 Latin pop song plays around the 22-minute mark inStarting 5episode 2 as the NBA stars describe their away game schedules and lifestyles.
“When I See U” by Fantasia: This 2006 R&B song by American Idol winner Fantasia is sung by Anthony Edwards' older sister Antoinette at a family party around the 37-minute mark inStarting 5episode 2.
“Careful” by Teezo Touchdown: This 2020 hip-hop track plays at the very end ofStarting 5episode 2.
Starting 5 Episode 3 Songs
“Survival of the Fittest”
“If You Know You Know” by Pusha T: This 2018 hip-hop track by Pusha T plays around the 1:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 3 as Edwards recovers from a minor hip injury.
“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” by D’Angelo: This classic 2000 R&B track plays around the 3:20 minute mark inStarting 5episode 3 as Jimmy Butler contemplates the dumbest question he has ever been asked.
“Blackout” by Turnstile: This 2021 hard rock song plays around the 31-minute mark inStarting 5episode 3 as LeBron James heads to Las Vegas for the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship against the Indiana Pacers.
“We Paid” by Lil Baby & 42 Dugg: The Los Angeles Lakers recited part of this 2020 hip-hop song around the 38-minute mark inStarting 5episode 3 after winning the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament.
Starting 5 Episode 4 Songs
“Father Christmas”
“THE GREATEST” by Billie Eilish: This 2024 Billie Eilish song plays at the beginning ofStarting 5episode 4 as LeBron and Savannah James reflect on their son Bronny’s life-threatening event in August 2023.
“California Christmas” by Switchfoot: This 2022 holiday song plays around the 12:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 4 as Jayson Tatum and the Celtics embark on a West Coast road trip leading up to their Christmas Day showdown against the Lakers.
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”: This classic Christmas song plays around the 17:30 minute markStarting 5episode 4 as Jimmy Butler wraps presents on Christmas Eve.
“This Christmas” by Chris Brown: This 2007 holiday cover by Chris Brown plays in Jimmy Butler’s house on Christmas morning around the 20-minute markStarting 5episode 4.
Starting 5 Episode 5 Songs
“The Struggle Is Real”
“THE REV3NGE” by Joey Bada$$: This 2022 hip-hop track by Joey Bada$$ plays around the 5:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 5 as the Celtics and Timberwolves square off in a mid-season overtime showdown.
“So Much (For) Stardust” by Fall Out Boy: This modern Fall Out Boy song plays around the 15:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 5 as Jimmy Butler films the official music video for the song with Fall Out Boy bassist and lyricist Pete Wenz.
“The Beam Team (feat. Jimi Chill)” by MAK aka Kizzle: This 2023 rap song about the Sacramento Kings plays around the 21:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 5 as the Heat take on the Kings on their home court.
“Just One of Those Days” by Sizzla: This 2006 song plays around the 33:30 mark inStarting 5episode 5 as a group of Bostonians explain their love for the Celtics.
Starting 5 Episode 6 Songs
“All Star, Baby”
“Spicy (feat. Fivio Foreign & A$AP Ferg) by Nas: This 2020 hip-hip track plays around the 3:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 6 as Anthony Edwards flies on a private jet to the 2024 NBA All-Star game.
“Home” by Good Neighbours: This 2024 feel-good alternative track plays around the 8-minute mark inStarting 5episode 6 as Domantas Sabonis enjoys his All-Star break with his family in Mexico.
“I’m Him” by bdifferent: This 2024 hip-hop song by Anthony Edwards' brother plays around the 21:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 6 as Anthony’s girlfriend Jeanie Robel celebrates her baby shower.
Starting 5 Episode 7 Songs
“Push”
“Lose Control” by Sink: This forgotten 1992 R&B track by Silk plays around the 26-minute mark inStarting 5episode 7 as LeBron James sings the lyrics out in public outside a hotel.
“Let’s Go” by Key Glock: This 2023 hip-hop song plays around the 28:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 7 as LeBron and the Lakers start their 2024 NBA Playoff run.
Starting 5 Episode 8 Songs
“I’m Here!”
“Frio” by Javypablo & Kikito Bueno: This 2020 Latin pop song is performed by the music duo Javypablo for Domantas Sabonis and his wife Shashana at around the 5:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 8.
“BACKBONE” by Chase & Status & Stromzy: This 2024 dance song plays around the 26:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 8 as Anthony Edwards takes on Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs.
“Big Dawgs” by Humankind & Kalmi: This 2024 hip-hop track plays around the 29:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 8 as the Timberwolves continue their explosive playoff run.
Starting 5 Episode 9 Songs
“Passing the Torch”
“Yeah Glo!” by GloRilla: LeBron James raps along to this 2024 hip-hop track at around the 9-minute mark inStarting 5episode 9 before a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets.
“Long in the Tooth” by The Budos Band: This 2020 song plays around the 10-minute mark inStarting 5episode 9 as the Lakers defeat the Nuggets in Game 4 of the opening round.
“Alter Ego” by Doechii & JT: This 2024 hip-hop song plays around the 23-minute mark inStarting 5episode 9 as the Timberwolves face off against the Denver Nuggets in round 2.
“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon: This classic rock song from 1978 plays around the 41-minute mark inStarting 5episode 9 as Edwards and the Timberwolves come back to beat the Nuggets in Game 7.
Starting 5 Episode 10 Songs
“Just Be Yourself”
“Leaving the Light” by Genesis Owusu: This 2023 alternative rap song plays at the very beginning ofStarting 5episode 10 as the Boston Celtics prepare for the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Talk My Shit 4” by Lebra Jolie: This 2024 hip-hop song plays around the 5-minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 as Tatum and the Celtics play the Indiana Pacers.
“Come With Me (feat. Dreezy)” by YFN Lucci: Anthony Edwards sings this 2018 hip-hop song while playing pool at his house around the 8:30 minute mark inStarting 5episode 10.
“10 Points” by Nas: This 2020 Nas song plays around the 10-minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 as the Timberwolves prepare for Game 4 against the Mavericks.
“Float (feat. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80')” by Janelle Monáe: This 2023 R&B song plays around the 28-minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 after the Mavericks eliminate the Timberwolves in the 2024 Playoffs.
“BIG DEAL” by Al-Doms: This underground 2022 hip-hop track plays around the 31-minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 as Tatum and the Celtics prepare for the NBA Finals.
“Keep Marchin'” by Raphael Saadiq: This 2008 feel-good song plays around the 48:15 minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 as Tatum and the Celtics silence the haters and win Boston’s 18th NBA Championship.
“Lovin' Man” by Eugene McDaniels: This classic 1971 track plays around the 52-minute mark inStarting 5episode 10 as Tatum and the Celtics celebrate their NBA Title at the Championship Parade in Boston.
“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar: This iconic hip-hop diss track by Kendrick Lamar plays toward the end ofStarting 5as LeBron looks forward to playing with his son Bronny on the Lakers during the 2024-24 NBA season.
Starting 5
Cast
NBA superstars LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Edwards give fans an intimate look at their lives on and off the court. The docuseries follows their 2023-2024 season, capturing not just the intense games but also personal moments with family, showing the balance between professional demands and personal commitments.
