LiAngelo Ball, Kobe, Deion Sanders and 15 other Athletes Who Had Rap Careers (However Brief)
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Although not every athlete-turned-rapper achieves major success, the crossover reflects their passion for creativity and self-expression. From Shaq’s platinum records to Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s respected album, these athletes have shown that talent can indeed transcend boundaries.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or a hip-hop fan, the fusion of athleticism and music continues to birth interesting results worth tuning into. Here are a few athletes who tried their hand at a rap career.1. Shaquille O'Neal
For a brief moment in time, Shaq was as dominant in the rap game as he was on the basketball court. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Shaq released his debut album Shaq Diesel in 1993, which went platinum. Tracks like “(I Know I Got) Skillz” showcased his lyrical confidence, making him one of the most successful athlete-rappers to date.
2. Liangelo Ball
Liangelo Ball, 1/3 of the Ball brother’s shook the internet with his new single “tweaker” that just released on World Star New Years Eve and took the internet by storm. The former UCLA star just landed a spot on the Rolling Loud California lineup … days after his first rap single blew up on social media.
3. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard, point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, has made waves in the music industry under his rap alias Dame D.O.L.L.A. With multiple albums and collaborations with artists like Lil Wayne, Lillard’s lyrical dexterity proves he can dominate both the hardwood and the microphone.
4. Roy Jones Jr
At the peak of his boxing game, Roy Jones Jr. thought he’d give music a shot. Back in 2001, he dropped his first joint, Round One: The Album. The first jam that dropped was “Y’all Must’ve Forgot.” Three years later, the multi-weight class world champ put together a crew, Body Head Bangerz, and dropped another album on us. Body Head Bangerz: Volume One hit the scene in 2004 – back when Southern hip hop was totally owning the game. The album had some dope features like Cash Money’s B.G. and Juvenile, plus Texas legends Bun B, Mike Jones, and Lil’ Flip in the mix. Yo, Jones Jr. dropped his last single, “Battle of the Superpowers,” way back in 2009.
5. Antonio Brown
After bouncing around with the Raiders and Patriots, AB snagged a Super Bowl in his first year with the Bucs. But after he dipped out on Tampa the following season, it was a mystery what he’d do next.
Then, out of nowhere, he dropped an album. He had a few tracks while still in the league, but it seemed like he was all in now that his football days were likely done.
Just days after he made a scene during a game against the Jets, AB hit us with “Pit Not the Palace.” He followed that up with Paradigm, a full-on rap album. He blew up with “Put That Sh*t On,” and athletes were all over that dance for their celebrations. Plus, he even hit the stage at the dope Rolling Loud festival.
6. Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram has been laying down tracks in addition to being selected to three consecutive Pro Bowl teams and racking up 57 sacks over his 10-year NFL career. King Mel, a native of North Carolina, released his first album, King Talk, in 2018. The outside linebacker has released a couple mixtapes before that. Earlier this year, he released his most recent effort, a six-track EP titled In the Moment.
7. Kobe Bryant
The iconic L.A. Laker dropped a dope rap album titled Visions back in 2001. Big names like Nas, 50 Cent, Beanie Sigel, Black Thought, and Destiny’s Child were all in on the album, but Columbia Records just ghosted it before it even hit the streets.
Even with some slick planning by Bryant, it was clear the label felt uneasy about the debut track, “K.O.B.E.” with Tyra Banks not hitting the mark.
8. Metta World Peace
Metta World Peace, formerly Ron Artest, took his energy from the court to the studio. While playing for the Sacramento Kings in 2006, he released his debut album, My Way, which included Diddy himself.
His single “Champions” became an anthem during the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Championship run, cementing his place in the athlete-rapper conversation.
Later, in 2017, he released another album, this time titled Metta World Peace. Where We At had 12 tracks, many of which recalled his playing days.
9. Tony Parker
When Tony Parker released his rap album in 2007, he was in the middle of a basketball season that would lead to in his third NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs. That’s correct: a French rap CD. His first and only release was the self-titled album, which included 11 tracks.
10. Chris Webber
In 1999 Webber released the rap album titled “2 Much Drama.” The tracks “Keep’z Burnin / Getcha Cash” and “Gangsta! Gangsta!” are among the other songs that he has recorded over his career.
According to Hip HopDX around the summer following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Webber spent time in New Jersey with Kay Gee, a member of the band Naughty by Nature. It was around this time that he learnt how to produce beats.
11. Allen Iverson
Iverson’s decision to enter the music industry was not surprising given his reputation for fashion and style; his tattoos, shooting sleeves, and headbands often resembled those of a rapper. In the off-season of 2000, Iverson signed with Universal Records under the stage name “Jewels,” and he recorded the album Misunderstood. It’s crucial to note that the album didn’t get well reviews, and his career took a nosedive after that.
12. Delonte West
The Boston Celtics guard dropped a album called The Lockout and a single “Living Life Fast.” He also did an infamous KFC freestyle while waiting on his food. To say the least, he technically didn’t have a rap career, but definitely tried.
13. Iman Shumpert
On December 21st of 2012, the star guard dropped his first mixtape, “Th3 #post90s.”
Rapping under the pseudonym “2wo 1ne” -a play off of his jersey number — the Oak Park, Ill. native and Georgia Tech product began laying down tracks in the offseason while recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus injury in his left knee that kept him sidelined all season, according to ESPN.
14. Stephen Jackson
During the NBA lockout Jackson decided to tap into his musical talents and drop a mixtape entitled What’s a Lockout. He spoke on his upbringing and had a single titled “The Season.” It didn’t go over so well with the public.
15. Le'Veon Bell
Star running back L’Veon Bell is known to be one of the best rappers in the NFL. He reportedly fell in love with rapping at the age of 15, then began spitting freestyles in the locker room at Michigan State and eventually ended up dropping his first single During his second season in Pittsburgh. He dropped his first music project in 2014 which garnered the attention of rapper Snoop Dogg!
16. Adrien Broner
Boxing champ Adrien Broner debuted his rap career in 2017 dropping his mixtape, Wanted.The Four-weight world champion was inspired at the time because he was a wanted man after getting into an altercation in vegas.
Reportedly Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, 808 Mafia and more handle production duties.
17. Serena Williams
The tennis superstar, actress, and part owner of the Miami Dolphins made her musical debut with an unnamed rap song in 2012, TMZ reported.
Williams reportedly recorded several tracks in a Florida at a studio called B Major Music Group, which is owned by Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle and Williams’ good friend, Bryant McKinnie.
18. Miles Bridges
RTB MB is Miles Bridges rap alias and when he is not hooping, he is working on his rap career. He last dropped his Up the Score mixtape in December 2020 earning the attention of some of his basketball peers.
LiAngelo Ball, Kobe, Deion Sanders and 15 other Athletes Who Had Rap Careers (However Brief) was originally published on thebeatdfw.com
