Allen Iverson took one of the biggest swings 25 years ago when he dropped his highly controversial rap project Misunderstood. The lead single, “40 Barz,” made so many waves that then-NBA commissioner David Stern reportedly called A.I. into his office and read the lyrics back to him—word for word.
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The crossover between the NBA and the rap world has always been more than just cultural. From the tunnel fits to courtside rap beefs, ballers and rappers have long shared a mutual respect. And we all know the adage: rappers want to be basketball players, and basketball players want to be rappers. But every now and then, a player actually steps out of the paint and into the booth.
Here are our top 11 tracks where NBA stars didn’t just talk a big game—they rapped it.
11. Malik Sealy – “Lost in the Sauce” Before his tragic passing, Sealy showed promise as an artist. “Lost in the Sauce” was his way of processing fame, struggle, and identity—years ahead of its time.
10. Lonzo Ball (ZO2) – “Free Smoke” Lonzo reworked Drake’s “Free Smoke” into his own flex anthem. The delivery is confident, and he gets points for punchlines—even if the internet had jokes.
9. Lou Williams & Meek Mill – “I Want It All” Lou Will isn’t just a sixth man legend—he can spit. On this track with Meek, he proves he can hang with Philly’s finest. Fast-paced, motivational, and made for the aux cord.
8. Miles Bridges (RTB MB) – “Intro” Rapping as RTB MB, Bridges surprised fans with solid flows and polished production. “Intro” set the tone for a run that’s more than just a vanity project—it’s a serious side hustle.
7. Lance Stephenson – “Hot N—a Freestyle” Born Ready took on Bobby Shmurda’s classic and gave it a personal spin. The flow’s raw, the energy’s authentic, and it’s exactly the type of chaos you’d expect from Lance.
6. Damian Lillard (Dame D.O.L.L.A.) – “Sway in the Morning Freestyle” No gimmicks—just bars. Dame spit fire on Sway in the Morning, proving he’s got top-tier penmanship. One of the few NBA rappers that even hip-hop heads respect for the skills, not just the status.
5. Chris Webber and Kurupt – “Gangsta, Gangsta” C Webb dropped full projects in the early 2000s, and “Gangsta, Gangsta” is pure early-aughts energy. His bars weren’t mind-blowing, but his passion was real—and the production slapped.
4. Kobe Bryant feat 50 Cent, Nas & Broady Boy – “Thug Poet” Kobe’s rap career was brief, but “Thug Poet”—featuring 50 Cent and Broady Boy—showed his East Coast influence and serious delivery. He didn’t just rhyme for fun—he studied the craft.
3. LeBron James & Kevin Durant – “It Ain’t Easy” Recorded during the 2011 lockout, this surprise duet had the internet buzzing when it leaked. KD drops introspective lines while Bron brings charisma and confidence. Surprisingly solid chemistry.
2. Allen Iverson (A.I.) – “40 Barz” When A.I. dropped this gritty track under the alias Jewelz, the league hit the panic button. It never officially released due to controversy, but “40 Barz” lives on the internet as a raw, no-holds-barred look at Iverson’s alter ego.
1. Shaquille O’Neal feat. Notorious B.I.G. – “You Can’t Stop the Reign” Before he was a Hall of Famer or a meme king, Shaq was going platinum. This ’96 track features none other than The Notorious B.I.G., and yes—Shaq actually held his own. Legendary collab, legendary title.
