5 Successful Athlete-Rappers We Would Listen To
May 30, 2012 - 5:06 pm by Kevin Clark
With The Game cosigning Serena Williams rapping skills, we take a look at a few other sports lyricists that we'd D/L on our iPods.
The crossover (aka "The Nicki Minaj Effect") is in full swing as trapstars and actors are all considering getting into the music game. If the rap game was the crack game years ago, it's now about having that Molly for the party, as everyone is trying to crack the Billboard 100. Most recently, tennis megastar Serena Williams announced her newest hobby would "be another step in branching out," and The Game quickly gave his two cents. While it's no secret that not every champion athlete is prone to great marathons of lyrical exercise (see: Kobe Bryant), Serena's latest diddy makes us upset that we'll never get to see her star in her own music video.
We all know what happens when Serena gets in front of a camera, right?! Hopefully you all can take your mind out of the gutter long enough to cross the goal line with us as we list the 5 Successful Athlete-Rappers We'd Listen To. —Kevin L. Clark
5. Cam Newton —
The charismatic QB for the Carolina Panthers already has the ready-made package that Madison Avenue loves. His rookie season is much like the praise a certain Toronto Argonaut received when he entered into the rap game. To commemorate his lauded efforts on the field, the New Age Killa Cam can easily use his Colgate smile to spit buttery flows all over the M-I-C. If his hook game is like his throwing arm, then you got someone who could rival Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Brett Favre as the most entertaining rap-lete in the NFL.
4. Russell Westbrook —
It's easy to forget sometimes that the Oklahoma Thunder's starting point guard is only 23-years-old. He's quick like Isiah Thomas, brash and a determined leader on the floor. But after that clip of Westbrook crooning Nicki Minaj's pop ditty went viral, we can only imagine the Olympic gold medal winner would want his true rap self to reign through strong! Maybe the speedy PG could drop double-time raps over Tyga's "Rack City"...? Or he could go throwback and rehash a Big Daddy Kane classic? No matter what the future Western Conference champion may choose to rap over, as long as he stays away from those Roman Zolanski cuts he'll be a certified rap all-star.
3. Alexander Ovechkin —
Tired of everyone using his name in songs and not getting no credit, the captain of the Washington Capitals set off to show how icy he was on the mic by rapping on his own. At the beginning of 2012, Ovechkin provided a guest rap in Russian rapper Sasha Belyi's "Champion," and even appeared in the music video. Now looking to make a Stoli-like sweep of the U.S., the Calder Memorial Trophy winner could easily call anyone in rap to hip-hop into the booth with him for a quick song. Our hope is for an Ovi and Yela collaboration! The two gritty grinders may surprise folks with just how sharp they are on thin ice.
2. Gina Carano —
The mixed-martial arts fighter is equally as deadly as she is devastating. Her awesome star turn as Mallory Kane in Haywire managed to place the spotlight on Carano, making her the "Face of Women's MMA," and a possible threat to female MCs. Okay, we're only kidding about that last part, but it's not out of the realm of possibility to see Conviction Carano becoming an American Rap Gladiator. Her first single could be a throwback of the days of Crime Mob, as Gina delivers a destructive 1, 2 K.O. punch to the industry alongside co-stars Diddy and Waka Flocka. Let's hope her raps aren't as stiff as her dialogue delivery!
1. Floyd Mayweather —
With or without 50 Cent by his side, the undefeated champ and his Money Team could be just the shake-up the rap game needs. Sure you have crews like Young Money, Slaughterhouse and those MMG guys, but Mayweather's foray into hip-hop's squared circle would shake things up. As the first pugilist rhymeslinger with a reality TV show on HBO, Floyd and his cavalcade of characters could rival DJ Khaled for most dopest studio guest appearance. If anything, we can at least expect Ray J to sit this one out on the bench!
