The Notorious B.I.G. famously rapped in 1994, “Either you’re slingin’ crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot,” at the time rapping as a full-time career wasn’t seen as viable a career choice, funny that. Fast-forward 24 years later and although the times have changed, the sentiment remains the same, as 2 Chainz pointed out in his 2018 album title Rap or Go to the League. The (not so) complex socio-economic circumstances and the historic general lack of opportunity people of colour are giving in places like the United States definitely play a huge role in perpetuating this. So it’s no surprise that there is a connection between basketball (football also scores high here) players and rappers run deep. As a result, there have been many attempted career crossovers, and although many have been brick, there have been a few that were halfcourt three-pointer of amazingness.
In honour of this weekend’s NBA All-Star Weekend taking place in Chicago, we’ve rounded up the best 10 hip hop songs by basketball players. Listen below now!
10. Chris Webber – Gangsta, Gangsta feat. Kurupt
9. Meek Mill – I Want It All feat. Lou Williams
8. Stephen Jackson – Boolin feat. Marquis Daniels
7. Lonzo Ball – ZO2
6 .Iman Shumpert – My Way
5. Shaquille O’Neal – Strait Playin’
4. Brian McKnight – Hold Me feat. Kobe Bryant
3. LeBron James – It Ain’t Easy feat. Kevin Durant
2. 40 Bars – Allen Iverson
1. Dame D.O.L.L.A (Damian Lillard) – RUN IT UP feat. Lil Wayne