Hip Hop (mascot)

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Hip Hop during 76ers game in February 2005 76ers Hip Hop.jpg
Hip Hop during 76ers game in February 2005

Hip Hop was the mascot of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team from January 1998 to November 2011. A rabbit character, Hip Hop usually entertained Sixers fans during halftime and time-outs by performing acrobatic slam dunks from a trampoline, often over an item or person, such as a motorcycle, a Sixer Dancer, a fan, or a ladder.

Hip Hop also appeared at various Sixers publicity events and fundraisers.

Assisting Hip Hop at every home game were a sidekick, Lil Hip Hop, and a group of helpers, known as the Hare Raisers.

Hip Hop was portrayed by Bill Roth, a former United States men's national artistic gymnastics team member who won a gold and two silver medals at the 1995 Pan American Games. Lil Hip Hop was portrayed by his daughter.

It was revealed Hip Hop would not be returning post lockout under new Sixers ownership. The decision was unanimous from the new owners.

Hip Hop was eventually replaced with Franklin the Dog, the Sixers' current mascot, from February 2015 onward.

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