25 songs named after professional athletes

In 2009, Lil Wayne released his mixtape No Ceilings, which included the track “Kobe Bryant.”  Wayne pays homage to the Los Angeles Lakers legend as he describes his work ethic and ambition to be the best on the court. As Wayne says, “There’s nothing that Kobe Bryant can’t do / He will defend your best player / He will shoot from the perimeter / He will get all in your mug / He will do whatever it takes / He is the most complete basketball player in the game today, bar none.”  

Stephen Curry has often been lauded as the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen, and he’s a favorite among many fans. In 2016, rapper Soulja Boy showed his appreciation for the NBA champion with his track “Stephen Curry.” On the track, Soulja talks about Curry’s talent and rise in the league, saying, “Steph Curry, number 30 / I was stuntin’ on em, they wouldn’t believe me / Shootin’ threes from half-court, make it look easy / I’m the best point guard in the league.” 

Years before Kendrick Lamar became one of the biggest names in hip-hop, he was a star on the rise, releasing mixtapes. On his 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated, he teamed up with ScHoolboy B on the fourth single, “Michael Jordan.” On the track, Lamar references being too much, or “three much” for people, referencing MJ’s No. 23 jersey number.

Over the past few years, Nas has worked exclusively with producer Hit-Boy and continuously proves why he’s one of the best MCs in hip-hop. On his July 2023 album, Magic 2, he shows his love for a Los Angeles Lakers legend with his track “Earvin Magic Johnson.” Nas highlights how Magic has established himself as an esteemed businessman. As he says on the hook, “On my Earvin Magic Johnson, I’m enterprising / I keep it ghetto like the hood before they gentrified it.”

In 2007, Kanye West released his third studio album, Graduation , to rave reviews. One of the album’s deep cuts is the Lil Wayne-assisted track “Barry Bonds.” Named after one of Major League Baseball’s greatest players, the song finds both rappers bragging about their rap careers. As they say on the hook, “And here’s another hit, Barry Bonds / We outta here baby.”

Pop singer Aaron Carter was just a teenager when he told an overzealous story about meeting Shaquille O’Neal on his 2001 single “That’s How I Beat Shaq.” On the track, Carter details how he played a game of one-on-one after a chance meeting with O’Neal and realizes he was dreaming about the moment all along. 

One of the interesting things about Young Thug’s 2016 track “Floyd Mayweather” is that he doesn’t mention the boxer at all. However, for anyone familiar with Mayweather outside of the boxing ring, he enjoys showing off his riches. In a way, Young Thug uses that mindset of talking about his riches on the track. 

In 2011, Meek Mill released his eighth mixtape, Dreamchasers. The rapper wants to make sure people know how he’s all about his money on the track “Derrick Rose.” As he says on the hook, “I’m ballin on these n’s like I’m Derrick Rose / If they ain’t talking money, I don’t hear ‘em though.”

On Rapsody’s 2019 album Eve, she named each song after an influential Black woman. On her track “Serena,” named after tennis player Serena Williams, Rapsody is inspired by how Black women overcome so many things in life yet still prevail. As she says in the first verse, “Can’t stop yeah got a long green / That’s a long light, that’s a sunbeam / That’s a bright path in a dark world / That’s a good fight for a dark girl.” 

Rapper Sheck Wes became a popular sensation with his 2017 hit “Mo Bamba.” Named after the young NBA player and close friend of Wes, the rapper uses the song to describe his confidence, such as balling out like his friend Bamba.

When Damian Lillard is not on the court shooting 3-pointers, he’s in the studio under his rap moniker, Dame D.O.L.L.A. He teamed up with Snoop Dogg and Derrick Milano on the track “Kobe,” where they highlighted their respect for the Black Mamba. As Dame says on the track, “I did it out of respect for the greatest at Staples Center / The closest thing to MJ, and no I ain’t talking Thriller / It ain’t an ‘I’ in team, but a ‘Me’ in it / Please remember Bean.” 

In 2013, Yo Gotti released his seventh studio album, I Am. One of the album standouts is the smooth track “LeBron James.” On the track, Gotti highlights some of the successes of his rap career, comparing his status to that of King James. 

Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman was always known for having an eccentric style. When Migos teamed up with Gucci Mane on the track “Dennis Rodman,” they used the Bulls player as a metaphor for how women change their hairstyles. As they say on the track, “Switch your hair around like you’re Rodman / Your hair matching my drink / Imma need you on the whole paint / It’s like going on a date with a different woman every time I step out.”

Jack Harlow is always repping his home state of Kentucky, so it’s no wonder he’s good friends with former Kentucky Wildcat and NBA player Tyler Herro. He names his 2020 single after his friend as he raps about his career and dealing with haters. As he says on the track, “My homeboy Tyler, he play in South Beach / He told me this summer he gon’ fix my jumper / I told Boi-1da that we might got a thumper / I been tryna pop, now I’m on like Shumpert.” 

Waka Flocka Flame raps about his upbringing and family life on the 2012 track “Bill Russell.” While he won’t forget where he’s come from, he realizes how his life helped shape him. As he says on the hook, “I can’t trust myself, so hell no, I can’t trust you / I’m ballin’, you can call me Bill Russell / Point me to the court, coach it’s my turn / I swear to God to dribble base and don’t cross over.” 

As a Chicago native, Mick Jenkins more than likely grew up watching the Bulls play. He teamed up with Serpentwithfeet on his 2021 single “Scottie Pippen,” named after the Bulls player. On the track, he describes how people can try to accomplish their best but don’t always feel like a winner. As he says on the hook, “I was definitely trippin’ now that I think about it / Number two, I was Pippen / No matter how well I shoot / I’ll never win it all.” 

In 2017, rapper Offset and producer Metro Boomin teamed up on their hit song “Ric Flair Drip.” Named after WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, the track finds the rapper bragging about his wealth and style — everything from jewelry to jet skis. It also helps that Flair himself is in the music video. 

Since the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers hail from the city of Los Angeles, there’s no doubt that they grew up as Lakers fans. They showed love to the Showtime Lakers and team legend on their 1989 track “Magic Johnson.” As they sing in the second verse, “Lakers are the team that I watch on the telly / ‘Cause they’ve got more moves than a bowl full of jelly / The buck stops here, pops, then cheers / A roar through the Forum that deafens my ears.”

Post Malone uses several basketball metaphors on his 2015 breakout hit “White Iverson.” In reference to NBA legend Allen Iverson, Malone wants listeners to know how much he can floss on people. As he says on the hook, “Saucin,’ saucin,’ I’m saucin’ on you / I’m swaggin’, I’m swaggin’, I’m swaggin,’ oo ooh / I’m ballin,’ I’m ballin,’ Iverson on you.” 

In 2011, hip-hop duo Cool Kids released its debut studio album, When Fish Ride Bicycles. On the Ghostface Killah-assisted track “Penny Hardaway,” the duo raps about their riches and successes. As they say on the hook, “Them Bally loafers and them Cartiers / I do my thing Penny Hardaway.” 

Migos make several football references on their 2013 track “Emmitt Smith.” Named after the Dallas Cowboys legend, Migos showcase their fandom and compare his kind of play to their own lives. As they say on the hook, “Running with that sack, Emmitt Smith / Deuce-deuce pocket rocket, Emmitt Smith.” 

Before East came into his rap career, he had always loved basketball. He was once an AAU player, and his former teammates included Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley. On East’s 2015 mixtape Hate Me Now, he references Durant on the track titled “KD.” Although the track doesn’t necessarily mention his love for the sport, he uses Durant’s jersey number as a metaphor. 

In 2011, Wale released his mixtape, The Eleven One Eleven Theory. His track “Barry Sanders,” named after the Detroit Lions star, finds Wale using a number of sports references to compare his life, stardom, and talent to players in a sports league. 

In 2019, Freddie Gibbs, Madlib, and Anderson .Paak teamed up on the smooth track “Giannis.” Named after the Milwaukee Bucks star, the song doesn’t give basketball references, but it finds Gibbs rapping about his life and career. 

In 2012, Chief Keef was one of rap’s newest sensations when he released his debut studio album, Finally Rich. On the track “Kobe,” Keef refers to the Los Angeles Lakers legend and compares himself to being a baller just like him. As he says on the hook, “I been ballin’ so damn hard, I swear I think that I’m Kobe / Young bull of this rap s–t, but I think that I’m Kobe.”