NBA: The Top Sports Nods In Rap Lyrics
Sports references in hip-hop are certainly ubiquitous. They are easily two of the most prominent components of modern-day pop culture. No other genre incorporates sports into its DNA quite the way rap does. It's almost a necessity for a rapper to mention an athlete and how they may compare to each other. Rap and basketball, for instance, have been seemingly intertwined since Kurtis Blow's 1984 classic single, “Basketball." We all know the lyrics, “Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." If Blow liked dribbling that much in '84, he would surely be infatuated with today's elite dribbling.
The same way handles improved over the last three decades, so has lyrical content filled with metaphors, simile, and wordplay, more or less, depending on who you ask. Rappers flex their lyrical dexterity in rhythm, with infectious drum patterns to deliver knowledgeable quips that bridge music with sports.
That's just what they do. In the great words of Lil’ Wayne, “Players play, coaches coach, and cheerleaders cheer." ESPN’s First Take is one of the few shows that showcase just how knowledgeable rappers are in the world of sports, so in honor of our well informed wordsmiths, here are my top-12 favorite sports references in rap, in no particular order!
1. Wale - “Too Much Talk” (2012) Lyrics: “The Bo Jack of profound rap guess they not hip / so they all burn from the highest man to not buck yet / cuz I'd rather Raider…”
You might need to have a little knowledge of Bo Jackson to get every reference, but that's what makes Wale so great. His references are often obscure and require some thought but they always showcase his skill. Trying to explain these bars in their entirety would take too much time but there is something here for everyone. Wale gives us so many literary devices within a few lines, even puns. Besides, who doesn't like a good pun? All you need to know is that Jackson and Wale are both highly skilled individuals. Are you not hip? Sorry Bo!
2. The Notorious B.I.G. - “Victory” (1997) Lyrics: “Real sick, raw nights, I perform like Mike / Anyone - Tyson, Jordan, Jackson."
Iconic. The late great Christopher Wallace saved his best for last. “Victory” was the final track Biggie recorded a few days before his untimely death on March 9, 1997. Biggie's flow on this song cemented him as one of the greatest to ever touch a mic. Each “Mike” named was amazing in their respective fields, including Michael Jordan at basketball, and Mike Tyson at boxing. If you know anything about the Notorious B.I.G., you'd know any track he got on, he performed his best, just like all the Mikes he mentioned, especially the “King of Pop."
3. JAY-Z - “Brooklyn (Go Hard)” (2008) Lyrics: “I Father, I Dodger them / I jack, I rob, I sin / Aww man, I'm Jackie Robinson / ‘cept when I run base I dodge the pen.”
Triple entendre don't even ask me how. On “Brooklyn," JAY-Z delivered one of his and raps greatest examples of wordplay. Jay likened himself to and even realized he was Jackie Robinson, due to his criminal past of jacking, robbing, and sinning. Although Mr. Robinson and Mr. Carter ran base for many different reasons, Jay didn't end up in the pen (penitentiary) due to his illegal activities. Not illegal by any means, Robinson was known for stealing bases but would, in fact, see the bullpen every now and then for trying to steal bases. Well executed Jay.
4. Action Bronson - “Baby Blue” (2015) Lyrics: “Things change now my dashboard wooden / pull up in black Benz like Doc Gooden.”
Fun fact: Action Bronson has close to 300 sports references in his limited discography, so there are plenty to choose from. During the 1980’s, the New York Mets was an extremely talented baseball team. Doc Gooden, was a pitcher who quickly rose through the ranks and became the youngest player to ever make the MLB All-Star Game, at only 19-years-old. Action Bronson, like Gooden, has an affinity for expensive cars and he doesn't care who knows.
5. Kanye West - “New God Flow” (2012) Lyrics: “Hold up, I ain’t trying to stunt, man / But the Yeezy's jumped over the Jumpman / Went from most hated to the champion god flow / I guess that’s a feeling only me and LeBron know.”
Few can hold a candle to Kanye West and his ability to make himself look great. I love braggadocios lyrics but I would argue the Nike “Yeezy's” weren't ever greater than the Jordan Brand, at any point, but that's what makes this line so potent. West and LeBron James were both ostracized by the media and fans alike for their villainous actions, but winning should solve all those problems. Somehow people still hate the both of them for some reason. How Sway?
6. Drake - “Thank Me Now” (2010) Lyrics: “And that’s around the time that your idols become your rivals / you make friends with Mike, but gotta A.I. him for your survival.”
Allen Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan is one of the more iconic moments in NBA history. For Iverson, it was the moment he became A.I. and ascended to superstardom. For Jordan, it's not even a fingerprint on his trophy case, but for those looking up to their heroes, those moments are career defining. Had Iverson missed the shot the moment would've been long forgotten. To become the best, you have you go at the best and Drake is no stranger to letting any and everyone know *cough* JAY-Z *cough*, he can't be denied.
7. Ice Cube - "Today Was a Good Day” (1992) Lyrics: “Called up the homies and I'm asking y'all / which court are y'all playing basketball / get me on the court and it's trouble / last week [expletive] around and got a triple-double.”
I'm almost 99.9 percent sure no one keeps track of their stats in a pickup game this closely, except for Ice Cube and probably Lavar Ball, but getting a triple-double going up to 15 is no easy feat. The sample of the Isley Brothers keeps the listener in a mellow mood, while Ice Cube takes us on a journey through his ideal day. A triple-double, your name on a blimp, and a fat burger? That is a very good day.
8. Nas - “It Ain't Hard to Tell” (1994) Lyrics: “It ain't hard to tell / I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill.”
Not exactly the greatest line Nas ever spit but “It Ain';t Hard to Tell” was a perfect way to close out what's widely considered his magnum opus, Illmatic. Easily one of my favorite songs of all-time, in any genre, Nas showed why he could be considered the greatest at only 19-years-old. Im not sure where pill comes from in reference to an actual basketball, but like Shaq holds the rock, Nas showcases his verbal skills with ease. Also, “holds a pill” sounds like “holds appeal," and in 1994, Shaq was a definitely a superstar.
9. Pharaohe Monch - “Official” (1999) Lyrics: “My style makes the crowd say, "Ow!" like number 55 on the Chargers / I promise thee, I dodge a [expletive] like Raul Mondesi/ somberly stay calm, by any means like Natrone.”
Honestly, Pharaohe Monch doesn't get nearly enough credit that he deserves outside of hardcore rap fans. The entire song “Official" is an ode to sports, filled with references and superb wordplay only Monch could deliver. Junior Seau (Say "Ow!") was the late Hall of Fame linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Raul Mondesi played outfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Natrone Means played running back for San Diego as well. It's really easy to see how Monch left crowds in disarray with his wit and lyrical ability.
10. Fabolous - “Ghetto” (2001) Lyrics: “They tried to put two 99s on me, just like Gretzky / but my lawyer saw through it just like wet tees.”
Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever, nicknamed “The Great One," and he was so great in fact, his No. 99 jersey was retired league wide, a distinction made only for him and the great Jackie Robinson (No. 42) in the MLB. Assuming Fabolous wasn't wearing a jersey, he's actually referring to two 9mm handguns that were illegally pinned on him. Luckily for Fabulous, his lawyer viewed the evidence so he could come up with this fantastic line.
11. The Diplomats - “Rap City Freestyle” (2003) Lyrics: “I'm Anfernee, I do things the Hardaway.”
Another superlative, but Cam’ron’s freestyle on BET's Rap City is one of the greatest freestyles ever. Going completely off the dome, Cam'ron was rapping while simultaneously counting money. Admittedly, the Anfernee Hardaway reference could've been much stronger, but the entire verse is stuff of legend. Juelz Santana and Jim Jones recited verses that were clearly written, while Cam’ron did actually freestyle. Maybe, maybe not, but I guess he really does do like to do things the “harder” way.
12. The Notorious B.I.G. - “I Got A Story to Tell” (1997)
Lyrics: “We [expletive] in his bed, quite dangerous / I'm in his [expletive] while he playing against the Utah Jazz.” - And the entire song.
Story telling at its finest. The Notorious B.I.G. details a situation of an affair gone wrong with the girlfriend of an unnamed New York Knicks player. The night takes a dramatic turn when the player comes home early and Biggie quickly makes it look like a planned burglary. The best part of the song might actually be Biggie hilariously explaining to his friends what really happened. When asked about whose house he was in, Biggie responds by saying, “one of those 6’5 [guys]." Your guess is as good as mine as to who he was actually referring to, but according to Genius, Anthony Mason is the most likely suspect. Whether the story is true or not, The Notorious B.I.G. delivered a classic.
Photo Credit: Oakland Raiders, SLAM, and Sports Illustrated.
