Athletes Rapping

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 31, 2013

Athletes Rapping

MLS All Stars

In the spirit of The Superbowl Shuffle and the music of Cory and the Fins, <italics>Funny or Die</italics> had the MLS All-Stars rap, "We're Better Than the Rest!" Here are some other athletes who have dabbled in the rap game, serious or not.

Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Ben Crane and Hunter Mahan

The PGA Tour boy band "Golf Boys" debuted in 2011 with "Oh Oh Oh" and released their followup single "2.Oh" in 2013. Both music videos have raised money for charity.

Kevin Durant

It was hard to hear what he was saying, but the Oklahoma City forward seem to have a decent flow when he grabbed the mic at a club. He also had his usual wingman, Russell Westbrook, by his side on stage.

Iman Shumpert

In 2012, Shumpert released the song "Knicks Anthem". He released his debut mixtape, Th3 #Post90s, under the name 2wo 1ne on Dec. 21, 2012.

Chris Johnson

The Titans running back started the record label Flashy Lifestyle Ent with a childhood friend and during the NFL lockout he recorded arguably the worst song ever : "Act on Deck." The beat is busy signal.

Shaquille O'Neal

Most of us are aware of his profanity-laced rap dedicated to Kobe, but not all know about Shaq's classic rap albums back in the day. Among his more humble tracks: "I'm Outstanding" and "I Know I Got Skillz." Yes, "skillz" with a "z." But one of his most memorable tracks was "Can't Stop The Reign," with Notorious B.I.G.

Lou Williams

Now this -- this is an NBA player with a legit rap game. Listen to the 76ers guard freestyle during Meek Mill's verse on "I'm a Boss." Baller.

Tony Parker

Because what better way to celebrate a 2005 NBA Championship than with a French rap album that includes the song "Top of the Game" with your Spurs teammates? Oddly enough, the single that reached the top of the French charts and stayed there for a week was "Balance Toi," . It included Parker's then wife Eva Longoria in the video.

Metta World Peace

He's won an NBA championship. He's danced . He's done comedy . He's changed his name . And yes, Metta World Peace, the artist formerly known as Ron Artest, has rapped. Though not well.

Chris Webber

The former Sacarmento King showed he has some -- not much, but some -- rap talent. But his dance skills need work.

Allen Iverson

Compared to other NBA rappers, the Answer has mad skillz. His track "40 Bars" isn't bad.

Kobe Bryant

A couple of his gems include "Thug Poet" and "K.O.B.E.," a collaboration with another musically challenged famous person, Tyra Banks. The Black Mamba has since chosen to stick with basketball. And we're all thankful.

Alex Ovechkin

The Washington Capitals star appeared in a Russian rap video alongside rapper Sasha Belyi. The song is entitled "Champion," and even features a short versed rapped by Ovechkin himself at the 2:55 mark.

Gary Payton

G.P. was Livin Legal and Large. Well, maybe not the large part.

J.R. Rider

The former NBA player and 2001 champion had some "Funk In The Trunk." We're gonna leave it at that.

Jason Kidd

This track by the then Mavericks point guard, "What The Kidd Did," will you make you feel uncomfortable. A little weird.

Deion Sanders

"Prime Time recorded a namesake rap album in 1994, which included the awkward track, "Must Be The Money." Also included on this must-have CD is "Y U NV ME?"

Brian Shaw

We're waiting for the day when the former Laker and current Nuggets head coach just busts out rapping in a timeout. You know, when he tries to tell his players that "life is like a pool game."

Roy Jones Jr.

Jones Jr. captured boxing championships in four weight classes. He held a record seven belts at the same time and was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the '90s by the Boxing Writers Association America. But he should have never, ever tried to rap.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The boxer tried his hand at rapping with the 2007 single, "Yep". (Warning: Explicit Lyrics)

Brandon Lloyd

The wide receiver dropped an album called "Training Day" in 2005 , which had a song that made it on the Billboard Top 100 R&B chart. As B. Lloyd said himself: "I'm an organic rap dude. And my experiences are why my content is the way it is, but I just love local, independent artists, because I consider myself a struggling musician, just grinding away and trying to figure out your path."

Darryl Strawberry

Way back when the Mets were good, in 1986, Darryl Strawberry decided it would be a good idea to start rapping. Turns out, it was a very bad idea. Here's his song "Chocolate Strawberry."

Marquis Daniels

In addition to having one of the most iced-out, bizarre chains we've ever seen, Daniels has been a part of multiple mixtapes.

Dennis Scott

The 1990 ACC Player of the Year and former Orlando Magic forward is one guy who should never, ever be handed a mic.

Chris Mills

Mills was the 22nd pick in the 1993 NBA draft and spent 10 years in the league with four different teams. But he is the only NBA veteran who gave us "Sumptin' to Groove To."

Cedric Ceballos

The former NBA forward got his "Flow On" with Warren G.

Malik Sealy

The late Timberwolves guard recorded "Lost In The Sauce" in 1994.

Dana Barros

Barros showed off his flow on a number of tracks, and he remains one of the few NBA players who can hold his own on an album with some relatively well-known names, like Grand Puba.

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills defensive backs Marlon Kerner (left) and Ray Jackson teamed with six others in the Bills' secondary to record a rap version of the Christmas carol "Santa Claus is Coming to Town.''