The Unspoken Bond: Rap and Basketball.
Hip hop and basketball will always be intertwined and interwoven together. As someone who grew up with hip hop and rap, I look at the landscape of both the NBA and rap, and notice an evolution. The stark contrast between the hyperaware woke movement and the xanax-fueled era of new age rap draws close parallels to the NBA today. Specifically, compare the incredibly efficient motion offenses centered around the three-point shot to more throwback traditionalist basketball games that some teams choose to run with big men in the post — big men equating to music being pushed through big labels. Anyway, join me in this venture as I draw direct comparisons to career arches of rappers and NBA superstars.
They both have so many similarities that it’s strange when you step back and begin to look at it. Both are amongst the undeniable elite of their respective crafts. Drake entered rap through Young Money and Lil Wayne, and transitioned from being a protege to having a more than comparable career to his predecessor. As for Kevin Durant, he didn’t really have a mentor upon joining the Seattle Supersonics. Ray Allen was long gone, leaving the Sonics in sole possession of Durant. They are both notoriously petty and hyper aware of criticism. Durant allegedly made a fake Twitter account to defend himself, while Drake made a whole album questioning the nature of his relationships with virtually everyone. But, with all of this, the biggest parallel is the controversial choices they both made. Durant went to the Warriors and won the ring. Drake went to pop and won the charts.
Both are calculating in their poise and dedication to perfection, like mad scientists mixing, mashing, and unwilling to compromise. They both have alienated close allies and friends, whether they be Jay-Z or Blake Griffin. But, through all of their constant determination and vocalization of their distaste comes something special, something undeniably unique. Kanye’s flare for production revolutionized rap music. With each following addition to his discography, the direction of hip hop’s mainstream sound followed the trends he set. As for Chris Paul, one can argue his footprint isn’t quite as large as Kanye’s, but they both share one very important skill — technical proficiency. Chris Paul’s understanding of the technical and mechanical gears behind a contending offense and defense is unrivaled. You don’t get called the Point God if you aren’t able to control the pace and control the floor when you lace up your sneakers. Chris Paul is one of the best on-ball defenders on this side of Gary Payton. He is top 15 All Time in steals…at 32. Both are universally considered amongst the greatest, and their careers are only now starting to wind down.
Cornrow Kenny, meet Lock-Down Lenny. Kendrick Lamar and Kawhi Leonard both originate from the City of Angels, which constantly churns out remarkable talent and has, since pretty much it’s inception, been the standard for well-run, remarkable and diverse talent pools. Compton’s talent pool for rap is very much so comparable to the level of talent exhibited in the Spurs. They both keep winning, and their current kings hold more than a candle to predecessors. Both Kendrick and Leonard are soft spoken and more often than not let their crafts tell the story for them. Kendrick learned from Dre, while Leonard learned from Duncan, how to be the best. They are consummate professionals who year in and year out add something new and polished to their game.
These guys both proudly represent North Carolina in their fields. Both have starkly changed the norms of their respective industries. Steph Curry’s shooting has completely changed the personnel and the ideals behind how an NBA team should look. As for J Cole, he went double platinum with no features (just ask his fans — you won’t live that down). His album also had minimal marketing, and thus a trend was set in rap. You don’t need to drop millions on features, so now gone are the days of six to seven artists on a song. Music has decidedly moved back into the hands of the performers; J Cole’s album was the start of the trend of using the internet heavily in shaping your marketing and image. Don’t believe me? Check out XXXTentacion, Ski Mask the Slump God, Trippie Redd, and whoever that guy with rainbow hair is. Their marks in changing what the industry looks like will never truly be lived down.
I will admit Westbrook has a bit of Kanye in him, but doesn’t he have Travis in him as well? Both are fashion icons and explosive, which to me is the greatest similarity. You listen to Travis’ music and all you think is explosions of pure ecstasy and beauty in your ears. Westbrook gives your eyes a similar experience. The things Westbrook does on a basketball court haven’t been seen in years, if ever. His explosion to the rim, his intensity and his passion are only rivaled by Kevin Garnett. Forever either loved or hated, both have more than one similarity. Travis is so similar in this regard, he takes from those before him and hits levels previously not explored.
Could it be anybody else? The godfather. The golden standard. Sure, in my opinion there are much better artists throughout hip hop, but just like Lebron’s, Jay-Z’s prime is amongst the longest in the genre. Despite that Lebron never truly had the individual best performance or season ever seen, his merit results from longevity. He plays at an elite level year in and year out as he ages. The elder statesmen of the hip hop game, Jay Z, still has it; even if he will never drop the best album or one of the top 3 albums of all time, he will always be known for his consistency and for very rarely delivering a dud.
Lets not forget, Rap and Basketballs greatest love child:
