Videos by According2HipHop
Athletes want to be rappers. And rappers want to be athletes. And when the two worlds collide, it can create something beautiful. Here is a look at four times that rappers shouted out iconic athletes across different sports
Drake – Nonstop
Artist: Drake
Album: Scorpion
Athlete: LeBron James
Lyric: “Catch me ’cause I’m gone (outta there, I’m gone). How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m LeBron?”
In the aftermath of his feud with Kendrick Lamar, Drake found himself cutting ties with a lot of people. Unfortunately, LeBron James was one of them. But at one point, they were thick as thieves. On his fifth studio album, Scorpion, is one of the many instances where Drake shouts out King James. The “6 to 23” lyric references when LeBron left the Miami Heat in 2014 to rejoin his hometown franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and changed his number from 6 to 23. He also uses the lyrics to reference his upbringing in Toronto, aka “The Six,” to international superstardom.
Meek Mill – Sparkles
Artist: Meek Mill
Album: Dream Chasers
Athlete: Allen Iverson
Lyric: “B***h, I’m honor roll good and my money promising. Step up in the game and cross the best like Allen Iverson.”
Meek Mill is one of the best artists from Philadelphia. And as one of Philly’s finest, he is always shouting out his hometown heroes. In the first installment of his Dream Chasers mixtape series, Meek shouts out Sixers legend Allen Iverson. The “step up in the game and cross the best like Allen Iverson” represents one of the most iconic moments in the city’s history. When the Sixers’ rookie sensation hit Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan, who had established himself as the best in the NBA, with a sick crossover that sent shockwaves through the league. Ironically, Meek had a similar introduction to the rap game, where he put the industry on notice with his debut mixtape and several other feature verses that caught the ears of fans everywhere.
50 Cent – Many Men
Artist: 50 Cent
Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin’
Athlete: Muhammad Ali
Lyric: “I’m the greatest, something like Ali in his prime.”
50 Cent has always had an interesting way of weaving sports references into rap. As one of the most confident rappers on the planet at the time, 50 put his bravado on full display on his track “Many Men.” The Queens-born artist compares himself to Muhammad Ali, who is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Ironically, the song is featured on his 2003 album, Get Rich or Die Trying. The project that many believe catapulted the rap artist to superstardom
Jay-Z – N****s in Paris
Artist: Jay-Z
Album: Watch The Throne
Athlete: Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson
Lyric: “Psycho, I’m liable to go Michael, take your pick. Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6.”
Jay-Z is the king of double entendres. But on his and Kanye West’s 2011 collab album, Watch The Throne, he pulls off the rare triple entendre. HOV boasts his plethora of talents when he compares himself to three iconic entertainers named Michael. Michael Jackson is the most obvious because of his superior musical talent. Michael Jordan, because of his passion for winning. And Mike Tyson, because of his gaudy Brooklyn upbringing.
