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You know how the cliché goes: rappers want to be basketball players, and basketball players want to be rappers. This has been a truism since the ’90s, when rap really started taking off as a commercially viable genre. But, if we’re being honest, the latter is much more true than the first.
Over the past 30-plus years, there have been dozens of professional basketball players who dabbled in rap, and only a handful who have made serious attempts at a rap career. Throughout most of this time, NBA players who have tried their hand at rapping have not been hugely successful. That’s starting to change.
Back in the day, it was commonly understood that legendary center Shaquille O’Neal was the best rapper—one with genuine skills as an MC, hit records, and a quality catalog. (Peter Gunz once called him “one of the top five best freestylers ever.”) Since then, you’ve had hoopers like Iman Shumpert, Lou Williams, and Damian Lillard earning respect as credible MCs—even if the music itself wasn’t of the highest quality.
Then, earlier this year, there was a breakthrough. LiAngelo Ball, who had a stint with the G League, released “Tweaker,” which instantly became one of the biggest rap singles of the year and one of the most notable releases by an athlete-turned-rapper. And, just like that, the spotlight was back on hoopers who can rap.
This brings us to the purpose of this story. Now is the time to do a definitive list around basketball players who rap.
But before we start, a couple of quick caveats:
First, Ball, who raps under the name GELO, technically never played in the NBA but rather in the NBA’s minor league. However, that’s a technicality we’re willing to overlook, considering the impact of his song and the fact that he was already known as a basketball player.
Second, yes, we know Master P played in some preseason games with the Toronto Raptors. But we’re focusing on artists who started as hoopers and then transitioned to rap, not the other way around. Besides, if we included Master P, this would just turn into a list of 25 No Limit songs (which wouldn’t be the worst list, to be honest).
Also, to make this list, the hooper has to actually rap on the song, which is why Tobe Nwigwe’s 2023 song “Lil Fish, Big Pond” with Stephen Curry isn’t on here. And finally, this isn’t a list of rap songs about basketball, these are rap songs made by ball players. (Shoutout to Kurtis Blow, though).
With that being said, here are the 25 best rap songs from NBA players of all time.
Year: 2011
During the early 2010s, LeBron James and Kevin Durant shared a moment on the court as teammates—on the 2012 Olympic team—and in the studio. Recorded during the 2011 NBA lockout season, “It Ain’t Easy” features the two reflecting on their journey. They aren’t natural rappers, so both sound a little stiff, but Durant delivers some sharp lines, including the “I feel like the world is Skip Bayless and I’m LeBron James” bar.
The song wouldn’t leak until 2018, but by that point, it seemed like both had found other aspects of rap more interesting. LeBron would go on to help invent the deluxe album with 2 Chainz’s Rap or Go to the League album and Durant would A&R Drake’s For All the Dogs. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2010
Tracks on games such as Madden and NBA2K became certified gaming classics, serving as an orchestra to late night MyCareer binges and early morning franchise grinds. In the pantheons of the sports game soundtrack hall of fame rests NBA 2K11, one of the greatest basketball games ever made. The best track on the soundtrack doesn’t come from Big Boi, Aloe Blacc, Two Door Cinema Club, or even Drake. Instead, it’s Metta Sandiford-Artest—the artist formerly known as Metta World Peace and before that Ron Artest—flexing on anyone who thought his career was over after the Malice at the Palace incident.
As the key 3-and-D cog in the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Championship run—including swishing the iconic dagger from the wing to take down their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics—Artest basks in his champagne shower with “Champions,” a triumphant anthem of manifestation. Written a year before the win (according to Artest), “Champions” almost predicts his victory: “I love game seven, bring on the competition.” —Josh Svetz
Year: 1994
You’ve got to respect the gumption. In the early ’90s, Epic Records tried a gimmick where they paired young, up-and-coming basketball players with more established rappers, hoping some of the MC’s magnetism would rub off.
The album, B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, was a clunky experiment that mostly didn’t work, even though it featured collaborations like Jason Kidd rapping with Digital Underground’s Money-B or Dana Barros and Cedric Ceballos joining Brand Nubian’s Grand Puba and Sadat X.
One of the non-embarrassing moments came from New York City legend Malik Sealy, with the somber “Lost in the Sauce,” a song about staying focused even as life happens. The title would later take on another tragic meaning, as Sealy, who played for the Clippers and Timberwolves, would be killed by a drunk driver in 2000. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2020
Remember Nothing Was The Same-era Drake, the rapper who would regularly black out over soulful beats, giving you the diary pages of his life? Lillard’s collaboration with R&B legend Raphael Saadiq, GOAT Spirit, feels similar.
Released during the pandemic, Lillard—one of the most technically skilled rappers—takes time to reflect on the pitfalls of success, the need to shrink his circle, and the revelation of shady people’s true intentions. Saadiq, the legendary singer, provides a soothing vocal backdrop for Lillard to wax poetic through. —Trey Alston
Year: 2014
“Out of all the NBA players [to rap], I would say I am the best,” Stephen Jackson once told BET.
If we were ranking the realest ballers turned rappers, the former shooting guard would probably sit quite comfortably at the top of the list. Never one to shy away from his street roots, the Port Arthur, Texas native is as outspoken as they come, which is why his rap career made perfect sense.
Under the moniker Stak5, the All the Smoke co-host has dropped a number of mixtapes throughout the course of his career. He has also collaborated with the likes of Jeezy, T.I., Bun B, Paul Wall and many other rap heavy hitters. On the high-energy anthem “Boolin,” he puts his Texas swag on full display, channeling Slim Thug and Chamillionaire as he shuts down studio gangstas and anyone else faking the funk. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 1993
From the moment that he lumbered his way into the league, Shaq let everyone know how big of a hip-hop fan he was. He also loved the fast rapping hip-hop group Fu-Schnickens so when the group reached out to him to appear on a song…well, it was a no brainer.
The group had a song with a Bugs Bunny sample they couldn’t clear called “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock).” Shaq hopped on the song and it changed everything, becoming a single off of O’Neal’s debut, Shaq Diesel.
The cartoonish energy, booming beat, and contrasting rap styles of the Fu-Shnickens and Shaq made it a Billboard Hot 100 charting hit. If there was any doubt that NBA players could hold their own with the hottest rappers, Shaq shut that up real quick. —Trey Alston
Year: 2000
In 1998, two years after being traded to the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant, as part of the group Cheizaw, signed a deal with Sony Records. The deal was negotiated by Steve Stoute, and Kobe moved in with the record exec in New Jersey for about three weeks. During this time, he experienced the life of a rap star, battling MCs, clubbing at New York’s best nightclubs, and attending late-night studio sessions.
Over time, Sony urged Kobe to work on a solo project, but after the lukewarm reception to his first single, “K.O.B.E.” featuring Tyra Banks, the album, titled Visions, was shelved and Bean’s rap career came to a screeching halt.
Years later, the album leaked online. One of its shining moments, was “K.O.B.E.’s” B-side “Thug Poet,” where you hear a young Kobe spit alongside his Cheizaw brethren Broady Boy and a young and hungry 50 Cent. (The song sometimes lists Nas as a feature but it’s just his voice that is sampled on the track.)
Kobe was not a natural rapper and that definitely comes across on the track. But the song—mostly thanks to 50’s energy—is still good enough to crack this list. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 1999
Chris Webber’s connection to hip-hop runs deep. Near the end of his NBA career, he picked up some production credits on a few Nas deep cuts, including “Blunt Ashes” from Hip Hop Is Dead and “Surviving the Times.”
But before he was making beats for legends, Webber had a rap career himself, spitting bars under the moniker C. Webb. In 1999, he dropped his one and only album, 2 Much Drama, while playing for the Sacramento Kings. And although it struggled to make any sort of real noise, the indie project did spawn the very catchy “Gangsta! Gangsta! (How U Do It)” featuring Kurupt.
Complete with a Busta Rhymes sample, and music video cameos from Redman and Ghostface Killah, Webber and Young Gotti flaunt their “marvelous” lifestyle to the max over the Lord Maji production. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2018
When NBA players sign a new contract, they might announce their excitement to play for a certain team, or go out for a night of fun that’s captured on their Instagram Stories. Marcus Smart hopped in the booth after getting an eye-opening extension that he was clearly excited about. (Shoutout to the Celtics!) Smart dropped “52m,” joining friends Trey Davis and iamCompton on the song.
As expected, there’s not much substance to it—it’s literally Smart, sounding slightly inebriated, flexing just what kind of lifestyle he plans on living now that he’s $52 million richer. But the sound works as a mindless listen because it’s inspirational without trying. If you earned that kind of money, wouldn’t you want to make a song about it? —Trey Alston
Year: 2020
The results of the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest pissed Aaron Gordon off so much that he hopped into the booth to lay out his feelings. Gordon’s final dunk of the night earned him a score of nine out of 10 from Dwayne Wade and that seemed like enough reason to call out the Miami Heat legend.
On “9 to 10,” Gordon wonders incredulously about Wade’s decision—even suggesting that the results were rigged. That’s one way to put pressure on judges. After the song dropped, the two would talk and squash things before it got out of hand. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
“WE BELIEVE” pays homage to the legendary 2007 playoff run the Golden State Warriors had, when they upset the best team in the league that season, the Dallas Mavericks, in the first round.
Baron Davis was the point guard on that team, so it’s only right that he’s on the track. The song oozes nostalgia, with its mid-aughts production and veteran rap styles from everyone—including Davis, who, surprise surprise, is a pretty solid rapper.
It’s an iconic piece of Bay Area history that proves music from NBA players doesn’t have to just be about flexing or mimicking their favorite lyricists—it can also be a reflection of the game that’s shaped their careers. — Trey Alston
Year: 1994
Who knew The Glove had flows? “Livin’ Legal & Large,” the standout track from the aforementioned B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, unveils another side of the Hall of Famer’s game. Channeling the spirit of Too $hort, Richie Rich, Father Dom, and even Warren G, the Bay Area native—best known for his defense—flips the script with this all-offense cut. He delivers a groove-laden, G.P.-hunk (see what we did there?) rags-to-riches tale that wouldn’t feel out of place on the Above the Rim soundtrack.
In “Livin’ Legal & Large,” Gary Payton uses the track to remind fans that even at the top of his game, and despite using some of his downtime to rap, he’s always focused on the bigger picture: “On my way to practice to work on my shot / ‘Cause you can’t stop even when you reach the top.” —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2020
When the great Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi tragically perished in a helicopter crash in the hellish year of 2020, tributes poured in from all over as people struggled to make sense of the shocking accident.
Bryant’s teammate, the original 6God Lou Williams, had trouble expressing his sorrow, channeling his feelings into an open letter rap song honoring his fallen friend. His choice to use noted Atlanta rapper Landstrip Chip and Houston singer Mitchelle’l, keeps Williams from extending outside his range.
And when he does jump on the mic, he reflects on the life and love the complicated legend left behind, weaving stories of Bryant’s iconic final game, and the toll his death has taken on him as a man. “I got 100 stories, majority can’t be exposed/not cuz they’re wrong, they’re memories, they’re just mine to hold,” he raps. —Josh Svetz
Year: 2017
Lonzo Ball used to get a lot of hate for his rap career and his trolling ways. Now, though, people are rooting for him as an underdog who’s slowly returning to form on the court after facing multiple serious injuries.
We’re not here to convince you that Zo is some rap legend, but his biggest hit, “Zo2,” deserves some recognition. The track chronicles the rise of Lonzo Ball—from high school dropout to NBA star. He tells a story of his trials and tribulations, like leaving UCLA for the NBA, dealing with haters, and trusting his brand. The song also doubles as a commercial for his signature shoe, which retailed for $495 (and might have even played a part in his injury history).
But it’s also an endearing track. On a real note, the beat is solid, and the chorus is catchy. Grading on a curve for NBA players rapping, this track hits a solid middle ground and has aged well, especially after Ball’s hardships. Now…how long until Zo and GELO go full back-and-forth? —Trey Alston
Year: 2012
Iman Shumpert’s rap career is a little like his NBA career: impressive, but doesn’t get talked about as much as it should.
In fact, he might just have one of the dopest verses on this entire list. The NBA champion, who has been rapping just as long as he’s been playing ball, has “hundreds and hundreds of songs” in the archives, but says no one would know unless he decided to release them. “Anarchy,” featuring XVRHLDY, plays like a prime blog era track that would stand up against the Wiz Khalifas, Mac Millers, Big Seans and the Chiddy Bangs on DatPiff in the early 2010s.
Not only does he have some witty bars (“I’m a problem on my own, I’m reckless on the feature/ My single is a smash, my mixtape is a seizure”), but Shumpert’s effortless flow on this track is pure water. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2021
Lillard linking up with Lil Wayne and Mozzy communicated that not only was he taking rap seriously, but also that he wanted to prove he could keep up with the best rappers.
The booming track, from his 2021 album Different On Levels The Lord Allowed, oozes confidence from the three lyricists, each bringing a different kind of weight to the track. Mozzy delivers gritty street storytelling, Wayne flips words into insane punchlines, and Lillard explains why he’s the chosen one with such conviction that you’ll actually believe it.
Lillard left no doubt about his ability to match top lyricists—he provided three minutes and twenty seconds of undeniable proof. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
Despite KD’s inferior mic skills (well, if we’re comparing them to Stalley’s), this is one of the best rap songs from a NBA player. From Bam’s hypnotic backdrop, which hears him pair the great outdoors with neck-breaking kick drums and space-age synths, to Stalley’s dreamy flow and motivating message about overcoming your fears in order to cash in big, “Scared Money” is a neo boom bap anthem that even Griselda would be proud of.
“I wanted us to complement each other,” the Ohio native said of his collaboration with Durant. “It wasn’t about trying to out-rap somebody.” Durant’s introspective bars hear him comparing himself to NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss and paying tribute to his late grandmother, who passed away in 2022. “Ayo, look, rest in peace to Barbara Davis, we hit another layer/ When she speak to me, it’s like she sayin’ prayers,” he spits. “I feel like Randy Moss when he was on the Raiders/ Man, they love to hate us.” —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2019
One public challenge was all it took to pit Marvin Bagley against Dame D.O.L.L.A, in a battle of microphone supremacy. Bagley practically challenged Lillard to a rap battle on an episode of First Take when he flat out said he was a better rapper than Dame. Lillard, offended, told Bagley to “shoot” and he dropped a diss called “No Debate.” Lillard then dropped two scathing disses, calling out the cap in Bagley’s raps.
So what did Bagley do? Definitely not roll over. He dug deep in his bag to respond with his own diss, “Checkmate.” Using a methodical, perfectly paced flow, Bagley let Lillard have it—telling him he’s turning Dame D.O.L.L.A. into chump change, and claiming superiority once and for all. Dame won their back and forth but Bagley definitely put up a worthy effort. —Trey Alston
Year: 2019
There’s nothing more hip-hop than thinking you’re a better rapper than someone else. But here’s the thing—when you claim that title, you’ve gotta be ready for the other person to feel some type of way about it. After being dissed by Bagley, Lillard quickly hit the booth to record “MARVINNNNNN???” and, in it, wonder aloud what the hell Bagley was thinking challenging him.
It’s a low-stakes diss that clowns Bagley for pushing an inauthentic image. Lillard, using the same tactic Kendrick Lamar used on Drake, followed up with another diss, this time rapping over Drake’s “Back to Back.” The two songs dominated the news cycle, with everyone from Joe Budden to Kevin Durant chiming in, giving their approval. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
One of the most shocking rap verses of last year came when ex-NBA player Lance Stephenson randomly popped up On the Radar. Using a Brooklyn drill flow, Lance surprised everyone who didn’t know he had that level of dog in him, effortlessly switching between multiple cadences and flows.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard Lance rap (he dropped a decent “Hot Nigga” freestyle back in the day), but this was the first time we heard him go this hard, making fans wonder if Lance pick the right career. The moment was so impressive that even his foe-turned-friend, LeBron James, gave the moment a cosign. — Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2020
Let’s be honest—most players-turned-rappers from the NBA sound like they just picked up a microphone after team practice to give music a shot for the first time. Not Miles Bridges, also known as RTB MB, who makes Detroit-style music so good that he could be an honorary member of BandGang.
He is legitimately a good MC. On “Intro,” the opening track from his 2020 project Up the Score, Bridges seamlessly weaves NBA themes into threads of drugs, guns, and sex. Sometimes the lyrics hit a little close to home, like when he had to respond to allegations that he was drinking lean (he claims it was just pink lemonade). — Trey Alston
Year: 1996
Whether there was “No Love Lost” when Nas was originally left off this banger back in 1996 isn’t clear but Shaq put things right last year when he added his third album, You Can’t Stop the Reign, to streaming for the first time.
After revealing on Drink Champs that he had a song featuring both Nas and Jay-Z—recorded before their beef really took off—it wasn’t long before the Trackmasters track featuring a new verse from God Son surfaced.
Just like today, it wasn’t that easy to get a Jay or Nas verse in the mid-’90s—let alone both on the same track—but “No Love Lost” was released at the peak of Shaq’s powers; so it was easy for the most dominant big man in the game to get two of rap’s most famous all stars on this slick, wordplay-driven street dreamer posse cut. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2020
Allen Iverson changed the aesthetic of professional basketball forever. A cultural icon whose tattoos, cornrows and oversized sweats brought a taste of the streets to the league—and caused a lot of controversy in the process—AI battled a gauntlet of criticism just to be able to freely express himself.
An extension of this: his short-lived rap career. The Philadelphia 76ers legend’s foray into rap proved just as much a hassle for him as his fashion decisions. Releasing his only single, “40 Bars,” under his rap moniker Jewels, the song received criticism for its offensive lyrics and homophobic slurs, which landed him in hot water with NBA Commissioner David Stern.
“When I did that bullshit, that’s when I had a problem with David Stern,” Iverson told Kevin Hart in a 2022 interview. The song, produced by childhood friend Randolph “Plex” Billups, was meant to be included on Non Fiction, AI’s “embarrassing” debut album (his words, not ours). But the project was ultimately shelved. With all that being said, “40 Bars” is actually a good song, featuring a knocking Erick Sermon-inspired beat and some quality bars. It’s definitely the rap song on this list with the most lore. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2025
No one had the middle Ball brother scoring a Top 40 hit on their 2025 bingo card.
It’s easy to cast skepticism on LiAngelo Ball’s “Tweaker”: there’s the Baton Rouge pastiche from the California rapper; the meme worthy rap career of his brother; and the fact that he’s an heir to certified cartoon character Lavar Ball’s Big Baller Brand.
But from the moment he swerves and bends the corner, the once coveted G-League flameout transforms into GELO, the braggadocious slick talking sniper. “Tweaker” features an earworm flow—catchy and effortless— and lyrics that disregard any basketball references. Powered by blowing up off a popular streamer, and the endless memes on TikTok, Gelo’s breakout hit sticks in your brain and doesn’t lose its grip. However, don’t tell GELO he’s a meme, as evidenced from the snippets played on various streams, which are actually pretty good.
One of them even got the Bulls locker room more animated than they’ve been on the court all year. Young Ball Never Broke Again. —Josh Svetz
Probably the most famous song by an NBA star, Shaq’s Superman alter-ego flew to new heights on this one with Biggie riding shotgun.
The song was released a few months after the Big Aristotle left Orlando to join the LA Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million blockbuster contract. He made it a point to flaunt the move on the radio version of the Loose Ends-sampled anthem: “Let’s spend this Laker money.”
While Shaq had already released two albums—both of which made a reasonable amount of noise due to his gargantuan delivery and perhaps surprising lyrical capabilities—it was his third LP and its title track that solidified his status as a legit dual threat. Biggie’s staggered flow and lavish bars didn’t hurt; neither did the song’s big budget music video, which played like a live-action No Limit Records Pen & Pixel album cover.
Who knew Shaq could outrun that many fighter jets and assault helicopters? —Will “ill Will” Lavin
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You know how the cliché goes: rappers want to be basketball players, and basketball players want to be rappers. This has been a truism since the ’90s, when rap really started taking off as a commercially viable genre. But, if we’re being honest, the latter is much more true than the first.
Over the past 30-plus years, there have been dozens of professional basketball players who dabbled in rap, and only a handful who have made serious attempts at a rap career. Throughout most of this time, NBA players who have tried their hand at rapping have not been hugely successful. That’s starting to change.
Back in the day, it was commonly understood that legendary center Shaquille O’Neal was the best rapper—one with genuine skills as an MC, hit records, and a quality catalog. (Peter Gunz once called him “one of the top five best freestylers ever.”) Since then, you’ve had hoopers like Iman Shumpert, Lou Williams, and Damian Lillard earning respect as credible MCs—even if the music itself wasn’t of the highest quality.
Then, earlier this year, there was a breakthrough. LiAngelo Ball, who had a stint with the G League, released “Tweaker,” which instantly became one of the biggest rap singles of the year and one of the most notable releases by an athlete-turned-rapper. And, just like that, the spotlight was back on hoopers who can rap.
This brings us to the purpose of this story. Now is the time to do a definitive list around basketball players who rap.
But before we start, a couple of quick caveats:
First, Ball, who raps under the name GELO, technically never played in the NBA but rather in the NBA’s minor league. However, that’s a technicality we’re willing to overlook, considering the impact of his song and the fact that he was already known as a basketball player.
Second, yes, we know Master P played in some preseason games with the Toronto Raptors. But we’re focusing on artists who started as hoopers and then transitioned to rap, not the other way around. Besides, if we included Master P, this would just turn into a list of 25 No Limit songs (which wouldn’t be the worst list, to be honest).
Also, to make this list, the hooper has to actually rap on the song, which is why Tobe Nwigwe’s 2023 song “Lil Fish, Big Pond” with Stephen Curry isn’t on here. And finally, this isn’t a list of rap songs about basketball, these are rap songs made by ball players. (Shoutout to Kurtis Blow, though).
With that being said, here are the 25 best rap songs from NBA players of all time.
Year: 2011
During the early 2010s, LeBron James and Kevin Durant shared a moment on the court as teammates—on the 2012 Olympic team—and in the studio. Recorded during the 2011 NBA lockout season, “It Ain’t Easy” features the two reflecting on their journey. They aren’t natural rappers, so both sound a little stiff, but Durant delivers some sharp lines, including the “I feel like the world is Skip Bayless and I’m LeBron James” bar.
The song wouldn’t leak until 2018, but by that point, it seemed like both had found other aspects of rap more interesting. LeBron would go on to help invent the deluxe album with 2 Chainz’s Rap or Go to the League album and Durant would A&R Drake’s For All the Dogs. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2010
Tracks on games such as Madden and NBA2K became certified gaming classics, serving as an orchestra to late night MyCareer binges and early morning franchise grinds. In the pantheons of the sports game soundtrack hall of fame rests NBA 2K11, one of the greatest basketball games ever made. The best track on the soundtrack doesn’t come from Big Boi, Aloe Blacc, Two Door Cinema Club, or even Drake. Instead, it’s Metta Sandiford-Artest—the artist formerly known as Metta World Peace and before that Ron Artest—flexing on anyone who thought his career was over after the Malice at the Palace incident.
As the key 3-and-D cog in the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Championship run—including swishing the iconic dagger from the wing to take down their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics—Artest basks in his champagne shower with “Champions,” a triumphant anthem of manifestation. Written a year before the win (according to Artest), “Champions” almost predicts his victory: “I love game seven, bring on the competition.” —Josh Svetz
Year: 1994
You’ve got to respect the gumption. In the early ’90s, Epic Records tried a gimmick where they paired young, up-and-coming basketball players with more established rappers, hoping some of the MC’s magnetism would rub off.
The album, B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, was a clunky experiment that mostly didn’t work, even though it featured collaborations like Jason Kidd rapping with Digital Underground’s Money-B or Dana Barros and Cedric Ceballos joining Brand Nubian’s Grand Puba and Sadat X.
One of the non-embarrassing moments came from New York City legend Malik Sealy, with the somber “Lost in the Sauce,” a song about staying focused even as life happens. The title would later take on another tragic meaning, as Sealy, who played for the Clippers and Timberwolves, would be killed by a drunk driver in 2000. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2020
Remember Nothing Was The Same-era Drake, the rapper who would regularly black out over soulful beats, giving you the diary pages of his life? Lillard’s collaboration with R&B legend Raphael Saadiq, GOAT Spirit, feels similar.
Released during the pandemic, Lillard—one of the most technically skilled rappers—takes time to reflect on the pitfalls of success, the need to shrink his circle, and the revelation of shady people’s true intentions. Saadiq, the legendary singer, provides a soothing vocal backdrop for Lillard to wax poetic through. —Trey Alston
Year: 2014
“Out of all the NBA players [to rap], I would say I am the best,” Stephen Jackson once told BET.
If we were ranking the realest ballers turned rappers, the former shooting guard would probably sit quite comfortably at the top of the list. Never one to shy away from his street roots, the Port Arthur, Texas native is as outspoken as they come, which is why his rap career made perfect sense.
Under the moniker Stak5, the All the Smoke co-host has dropped a number of mixtapes throughout the course of his career. He has also collaborated with the likes of Jeezy, T.I., Bun B, Paul Wall and many other rap heavy hitters. On the high-energy anthem “Boolin,” he puts his Texas swag on full display, channeling Slim Thug and Chamillionaire as he shuts down studio gangstas and anyone else faking the funk. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 1993
From the moment that he lumbered his way into the league, Shaq let everyone know how big of a hip-hop fan he was. He also loved the fast rapping hip-hop group Fu-Schnickens so when the group reached out to him to appear on a song…well, it was a no brainer.
The group had a song with a Bugs Bunny sample they couldn’t clear called “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock).” Shaq hopped on the song and it changed everything, becoming a single off of O’Neal’s debut, Shaq Diesel.
The cartoonish energy, booming beat, and contrasting rap styles of the Fu-Shnickens and Shaq made it a Billboard Hot 100 charting hit. If there was any doubt that NBA players could hold their own with the hottest rappers, Shaq shut that up real quick. —Trey Alston
Year: 2000
In 1998, two years after being traded to the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant, as part of the group Cheizaw, signed a deal with Sony Records. The deal was negotiated by Steve Stoute, and Kobe moved in with the record exec in New Jersey for about three weeks. During this time, he experienced the life of a rap star, battling MCs, clubbing at New York’s best nightclubs, and attending late-night studio sessions.
Over time, Sony urged Kobe to work on a solo project, but after the lukewarm reception to his first single, “K.O.B.E.” featuring Tyra Banks, the album, titled Visions, was shelved and Bean’s rap career came to a screeching halt.
Years later, the album leaked online. One of its shining moments, was “K.O.B.E.’s” B-side “Thug Poet,” where you hear a young Kobe spit alongside his Cheizaw brethren Broady Boy and a young and hungry 50 Cent. (The song sometimes lists Nas as a feature but it’s just his voice that is sampled on the track.)
Kobe was not a natural rapper and that definitely comes across on the track. But the song—mostly thanks to 50’s energy—is still good enough to crack this list. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 1999
Chris Webber’s connection to hip-hop runs deep. Near the end of his NBA career, he picked up some production credits on a few Nas deep cuts, including “Blunt Ashes” from Hip Hop Is Dead and “Surviving the Times.”
But before he was making beats for legends, Webber had a rap career himself, spitting bars under the moniker C. Webb. In 1999, he dropped his one and only album, 2 Much Drama, while playing for the Sacramento Kings. And although it struggled to make any sort of real noise, the indie project did spawn the very catchy “Gangsta! Gangsta! (How U Do It)” featuring Kurupt.
Complete with a Busta Rhymes sample, and music video cameos from Redman and Ghostface Killah, Webber and Young Gotti flaunt their “marvelous” lifestyle to the max over the Lord Maji production. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2018
When NBA players sign a new contract, they might announce their excitement to play for a certain team, or go out for a night of fun that’s captured on their Instagram Stories. Marcus Smart hopped in the booth after getting an eye-opening extension that he was clearly excited about. (Shoutout to the Celtics!) Smart dropped “52m,” joining friends Trey Davis and iamCompton on the song.
As expected, there’s not much substance to it—it’s literally Smart, sounding slightly inebriated, flexing just what kind of lifestyle he plans on living now that he’s $52 million richer. But the sound works as a mindless listen because it’s inspirational without trying. If you earned that kind of money, wouldn’t you want to make a song about it? —Trey Alston
Year: 2020
The results of the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest pissed Aaron Gordon off so much that he hopped into the booth to lay out his feelings. Gordon’s final dunk of the night earned him a score of nine out of 10 from Dwayne Wade and that seemed like enough reason to call out the Miami Heat legend.
On “9 to 10,” Gordon wonders incredulously about Wade’s decision—even suggesting that the results were rigged. That’s one way to put pressure on judges. After the song dropped, the two would talk and squash things before it got out of hand. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
“WE BELIEVE” pays homage to the legendary 2007 playoff run the Golden State Warriors had, when they upset the best team in the league that season, the Dallas Mavericks, in the first round.
Baron Davis was the point guard on that team, so it’s only right that he’s on the track. The song oozes nostalgia, with its mid-aughts production and veteran rap styles from everyone—including Davis, who, surprise surprise, is a pretty solid rapper.
It’s an iconic piece of Bay Area history that proves music from NBA players doesn’t have to just be about flexing or mimicking their favorite lyricists—it can also be a reflection of the game that’s shaped their careers. — Trey Alston
Year: 1994
Who knew The Glove had flows? “Livin’ Legal & Large,” the standout track from the aforementioned B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, unveils another side of the Hall of Famer’s game. Channeling the spirit of Too $hort, Richie Rich, Father Dom, and even Warren G, the Bay Area native—best known for his defense—flips the script with this all-offense cut. He delivers a groove-laden, G.P.-hunk (see what we did there?) rags-to-riches tale that wouldn’t feel out of place on the Above the Rim soundtrack.
In “Livin’ Legal & Large,” Gary Payton uses the track to remind fans that even at the top of his game, and despite using some of his downtime to rap, he’s always focused on the bigger picture: “On my way to practice to work on my shot / ‘Cause you can’t stop even when you reach the top.” —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2020
When the great Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi tragically perished in a helicopter crash in the hellish year of 2020, tributes poured in from all over as people struggled to make sense of the shocking accident.
Bryant’s teammate, the original 6God Lou Williams, had trouble expressing his sorrow, channeling his feelings into an open letter rap song honoring his fallen friend. His choice to use noted Atlanta rapper Landstrip Chip and Houston singer Mitchelle’l, keeps Williams from extending outside his range.
And when he does jump on the mic, he reflects on the life and love the complicated legend left behind, weaving stories of Bryant’s iconic final game, and the toll his death has taken on him as a man. “I got 100 stories, majority can’t be exposed/not cuz they’re wrong, they’re memories, they’re just mine to hold,” he raps. —Josh Svetz
Year: 2017
Lonzo Ball used to get a lot of hate for his rap career and his trolling ways. Now, though, people are rooting for him as an underdog who’s slowly returning to form on the court after facing multiple serious injuries.
We’re not here to convince you that Zo is some rap legend, but his biggest hit, “Zo2,” deserves some recognition. The track chronicles the rise of Lonzo Ball—from high school dropout to NBA star. He tells a story of his trials and tribulations, like leaving UCLA for the NBA, dealing with haters, and trusting his brand. The song also doubles as a commercial for his signature shoe, which retailed for $495 (and might have even played a part in his injury history).
But it’s also an endearing track. On a real note, the beat is solid, and the chorus is catchy. Grading on a curve for NBA players rapping, this track hits a solid middle ground and has aged well, especially after Ball’s hardships. Now…how long until Zo and GELO go full back-and-forth? —Trey Alston
Year: 2012
Iman Shumpert’s rap career is a little like his NBA career: impressive, but doesn’t get talked about as much as it should.
In fact, he might just have one of the dopest verses on this entire list. The NBA champion, who has been rapping just as long as he’s been playing ball, has “hundreds and hundreds of songs” in the archives, but says no one would know unless he decided to release them. “Anarchy,” featuring XVRHLDY, plays like a prime blog era track that would stand up against the Wiz Khalifas, Mac Millers, Big Seans and the Chiddy Bangs on DatPiff in the early 2010s.
Not only does he have some witty bars (“I’m a problem on my own, I’m reckless on the feature/ My single is a smash, my mixtape is a seizure”), but Shumpert’s effortless flow on this track is pure water. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2021
Lillard linking up with Lil Wayne and Mozzy communicated that not only was he taking rap seriously, but also that he wanted to prove he could keep up with the best rappers.
The booming track, from his 2021 album Different On Levels The Lord Allowed, oozes confidence from the three lyricists, each bringing a different kind of weight to the track. Mozzy delivers gritty street storytelling, Wayne flips words into insane punchlines, and Lillard explains why he’s the chosen one with such conviction that you’ll actually believe it.
Lillard left no doubt about his ability to match top lyricists—he provided three minutes and twenty seconds of undeniable proof. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
Despite KD’s inferior mic skills (well, if we’re comparing them to Stalley’s), this is one of the best rap songs from a NBA player. From Bam’s hypnotic backdrop, which hears him pair the great outdoors with neck-breaking kick drums and space-age synths, to Stalley’s dreamy flow and motivating message about overcoming your fears in order to cash in big, “Scared Money” is a neo boom bap anthem that even Griselda would be proud of.
“I wanted us to complement each other,” the Ohio native said of his collaboration with Durant. “It wasn’t about trying to out-rap somebody.” Durant’s introspective bars hear him comparing himself to NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss and paying tribute to his late grandmother, who passed away in 2022. “Ayo, look, rest in peace to Barbara Davis, we hit another layer/ When she speak to me, it’s like she sayin’ prayers,” he spits. “I feel like Randy Moss when he was on the Raiders/ Man, they love to hate us.” —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2019
One public challenge was all it took to pit Marvin Bagley against Dame D.O.L.L.A, in a battle of microphone supremacy. Bagley practically challenged Lillard to a rap battle on an episode of First Take when he flat out said he was a better rapper than Dame. Lillard, offended, told Bagley to “shoot” and he dropped a diss called “No Debate.” Lillard then dropped two scathing disses, calling out the cap in Bagley’s raps.
So what did Bagley do? Definitely not roll over. He dug deep in his bag to respond with his own diss, “Checkmate.” Using a methodical, perfectly paced flow, Bagley let Lillard have it—telling him he’s turning Dame D.O.L.L.A. into chump change, and claiming superiority once and for all. Dame won their back and forth but Bagley definitely put up a worthy effort. —Trey Alston
Year: 2019
There’s nothing more hip-hop than thinking you’re a better rapper than someone else. But here’s the thing—when you claim that title, you’ve gotta be ready for the other person to feel some type of way about it. After being dissed by Bagley, Lillard quickly hit the booth to record “MARVINNNNNN???” and, in it, wonder aloud what the hell Bagley was thinking challenging him.
It’s a low-stakes diss that clowns Bagley for pushing an inauthentic image. Lillard, using the same tactic Kendrick Lamar used on Drake, followed up with another diss, this time rapping over Drake’s “Back to Back.” The two songs dominated the news cycle, with everyone from Joe Budden to Kevin Durant chiming in, giving their approval. —Trey Alston
Year: 2024
One of the most shocking rap verses of last year came when ex-NBA player Lance Stephenson randomly popped up On the Radar. Using a Brooklyn drill flow, Lance surprised everyone who didn’t know he had that level of dog in him, effortlessly switching between multiple cadences and flows.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard Lance rap (he dropped a decent “Hot Nigga” freestyle back in the day), but this was the first time we heard him go this hard, making fans wonder if Lance pick the right career. The moment was so impressive that even his foe-turned-friend, LeBron James, gave the moment a cosign. — Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Year: 2020
Let’s be honest—most players-turned-rappers from the NBA sound like they just picked up a microphone after team practice to give music a shot for the first time. Not Miles Bridges, also known as RTB MB, who makes Detroit-style music so good that he could be an honorary member of BandGang.
He is legitimately a good MC. On “Intro,” the opening track from his 2020 project Up the Score, Bridges seamlessly weaves NBA themes into threads of drugs, guns, and sex. Sometimes the lyrics hit a little close to home, like when he had to respond to allegations that he was drinking lean (he claims it was just pink lemonade). — Trey Alston
Year: 1996
Whether there was “No Love Lost” when Nas was originally left off this banger back in 1996 isn’t clear but Shaq put things right last year when he added his third album, You Can’t Stop the Reign, to streaming for the first time.
After revealing on Drink Champs that he had a song featuring both Nas and Jay-Z—recorded before their beef really took off—it wasn’t long before the Trackmasters track featuring a new verse from God Son surfaced.
Just like today, it wasn’t that easy to get a Jay or Nas verse in the mid-’90s—let alone both on the same track—but “No Love Lost” was released at the peak of Shaq’s powers; so it was easy for the most dominant big man in the game to get two of rap’s most famous all stars on this slick, wordplay-driven street dreamer posse cut. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2020
Allen Iverson changed the aesthetic of professional basketball forever. A cultural icon whose tattoos, cornrows and oversized sweats brought a taste of the streets to the league—and caused a lot of controversy in the process—AI battled a gauntlet of criticism just to be able to freely express himself.
An extension of this: his short-lived rap career. The Philadelphia 76ers legend’s foray into rap proved just as much a hassle for him as his fashion decisions. Releasing his only single, “40 Bars,” under his rap moniker Jewels, the song received criticism for its offensive lyrics and homophobic slurs, which landed him in hot water with NBA Commissioner David Stern.
“When I did that bullshit, that’s when I had a problem with David Stern,” Iverson told Kevin Hart in a 2022 interview. The song, produced by childhood friend Randolph “Plex” Billups, was meant to be included on Non Fiction, AI’s “embarrassing” debut album (his words, not ours). But the project was ultimately shelved. With all that being said, “40 Bars” is actually a good song, featuring a knocking Erick Sermon-inspired beat and some quality bars. It’s definitely the rap song on this list with the most lore. —Will “ill Will” Lavin
Year: 2025
No one had the middle Ball brother scoring a Top 40 hit on their 2025 bingo card.
It’s easy to cast skepticism on LiAngelo Ball’s “Tweaker”: there’s the Baton Rouge pastiche from the California rapper; the meme worthy rap career of his brother; and the fact that he’s an heir to certified cartoon character Lavar Ball’s Big Baller Brand.
But from the moment he swerves and bends the corner, the once coveted G-League flameout transforms into GELO, the braggadocious slick talking sniper. “Tweaker” features an earworm flow—catchy and effortless— and lyrics that disregard any basketball references. Powered by blowing up off a popular streamer, and the endless memes on TikTok, Gelo’s breakout hit sticks in your brain and doesn’t lose its grip. However, don’t tell GELO he’s a meme, as evidenced from the snippets played on various streams, which are actually pretty good.
One of them even got the Bulls locker room more animated than they’ve been on the court all year. Young Ball Never Broke Again. —Josh Svetz
Probably the most famous song by an NBA star, Shaq’s Superman alter-ego flew to new heights on this one with Biggie riding shotgun.
The song was released a few months after the Big Aristotle left Orlando to join the LA Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million blockbuster contract. He made it a point to flaunt the move on the radio version of the Loose Ends-sampled anthem: “Let’s spend this Laker money.”
While Shaq had already released two albums—both of which made a reasonable amount of noise due to his gargantuan delivery and perhaps surprising lyrical capabilities—it was his third LP and its title track that solidified his status as a legit dual threat. Biggie’s staggered flow and lavish bars didn’t hurt; neither did the song’s big budget music video, which played like a live-action No Limit Records Pen & Pixel album cover.
Who knew Shaq could outrun that many fighter jets and assault helicopters? —Will “ill Will” Lavin
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