“Lakers are the team that I watch on the telly/ cause they got more moves/than a bowl full of jelly” are definitely lyrics that any Lakers fan could relate to even today, especially considering the teams’ impressive start to the season.
Barry Bonds, former San Francisco Giants left fielder
“Comin' in the club wit that fresh sh*t on,
with something crazy on my arm
Here's another hit, Barry Bonds
We outta here baby!”
"Barry Bonds" Kanye West feat. Lil Wayne
Setting the controversial steroid debate aside, it can’t be argued that Barry Bonds has had his share of hits in his lengthy career. Kanye and Lil Wayne reference Bonds’ success with their one liner “we outta here baby!”
Kanye released this song shortly after Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s record of home runs in August of 2007. Whether Kayne reaches more "hits" in his music career than Bonds in his baseball career is up for the listener to decide.
O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal…
“Athletes of today in the NBA, make me proud
But there's somethin' they don't say
Keep gettin' accused for abusin' White p*ssay
From OJ to Kobe, uh let's call him Tobe
First he played his life cool just like Michael”
"These are our heroes"- Nas
Nas takes his rapping to a deeper level than just song and lyric for this tune. He analyzes the definition of a hero, and compares a stereotype of what white people consider a hero for African Americans compared to what Nas views as his own personal heroes.
Nas pays homage to several athletes, including NBA players, as well as prominent African American figures in society.
Yet, at the end of the song, he announces he’s leaving in his limousine to catch a plane; Nas leaves the song’s interpretation up to the listener. No doubt though; he knows his cultural figures and famous basketball stars quite well.
Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns center
“I had a plan, that I could change the pace
I said, Yo Shaq you didn't tie your shoelace
He looked down, I stole the ball
I'm taking him to school now, watch me all
A three-pointer, nothing but net
Come on Shaq, had enough yet?
Down by two, I'm catching up
I guess your getting nervous
Cuz you already lost”
"How I beat Shaq" – Aaron Carter
This song might may cause a loss in "cool" points, but it had to be added in—the whole concept of the song is so preposterous that it actually gained quite a fan club when it hit the airwaves. (Granted, this was among pre-adolescents in the '90s).
The music video actually features the great Shaq, who can be seen on the court, looking somewhat befuddled. Can’t hardly blame the man; I would be too, if I suddenly found myself in an Aaron Carter music video.
Although these 10 songs may be considerably different in ideology, tune, and concept, they all reference great, successful athletes who have made considerable impressions in American culture and society. It may not be a sole determiner of success, but when an athlete can point to a song and find their name amongst the lyrics, it is a definite marker in the right direction.
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