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The connection between Hip-Hop {and professional} sports activities runs deep. Over time, now we have seen loads of athletes who’ve made the leap from the court docket to the studio, from Shaq and Kobe to Deion Sanders and Damian Lillard. Most just lately, LiAngelo Ball made a daring assertion in music, together with his debut single, “Tweaker,” changing into a viral hit.
Simply as athletes experimented with music, there have been instances when rap artists have stepped into the world of sports activities. Many artists’ athletic prowess precedes their rap careers, and a few even went again to sports activities after their music took off.
1. Quavo
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Quavo was a beginning quarterback at Berkmar Excessive College in Lilburn, GA in 2009, setting a faculty file in single-game passes and main the county in passing yards. He’s additionally fairly proficient on the basketball court docket, profitable the MVP award on the 2018 NBA Celeb All-Star Recreation.
2. Grasp P
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Grasp P earned a basketball scholarship to the College of Houston within the late 80s, however was sidelined by a knee harm early in his freshman yr. He did find yourself enjoying skilled ball years later, enjoying with the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, the ABA’s Las Vegas Rattlers, and the CBA’s Fort Wayne Fury.
3. Romeo Miller
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Like his father, Romeo additionally earned a basketball scholarship, enjoying briefly for the College of Southern California. Nevertheless, he dropped out in 2010, one yr after his former teammate, present NBA star Demar DeRozan, went professional.
4. Wale
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Wale was a standout on the soccer area in highschool, incomes numerous scholarship affords. He performed operating again and vast receiver at Robert Morris College and likewise performed at Virginia State and Bowie State earlier than dropping out in 2004 to pursue music.
5. J. Cole
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J. Cole’s love for basketball runs simply as deep as his love for music. The MC (and minority proprietor for the Charlotte Hornets) performed in his final two years of highschool and acquired a scholarship at St. John’s College, the place he tried out as a walk-on earlier than deciding to concentrate on music as an alternative. He did return to his hoop goals briefly, enjoying professional ball in Africa and Canada.
6. Nelly
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Not surprisingly, Nelly performed a number of sports activities earlier than his rap profession. He performed within the St. Louis Beginner Baseball Affiliation and had tryouts with the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. He additionally performed soccer in his youth (a ability he demonstrated in The Longest Yard and on MTV’s Rock ‘N Jock) and gained the celeb dunk contest throughout the 2006 NBA All-Star Weekend.
7. 2 Chainz
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2 Chainz was a standout combo guard at North Clayton Excessive College in School Park, recognized for having good ball management, dribbling, and capturing abilities. He finally grew to become a Division I recruit, enjoying for Alabama State from 1996-97 earlier than specializing in music.
8. Stalley
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Former MMG rapper Stalley had NBA aspirations as a participant for Washington Excessive College in Massillon, OH, even enjoying with a younger LeBron James again then. Sadly, he needed to shift his focus after accidents derailed his stints on the College of Michigan and Lengthy Island College.
9. Suge Knight
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Earlier than changing into the infamous founding father of Dying Row Information, Suge Knight performed as a defensive finish at College of Nevada – Las Vegas. He additionally had a short stint within the NFL, changing into a alternative participant for the Los Angeles Rams throughout the 1987 gamers strike.
10. Ma$e
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Ma$e was a standout level guard at Manhattan Middle Excessive College in 1993 and grabbed curiosity from Division I colleges. Nevertheless, as a consequence of his grades, he attended State College of New York. He would finally drop out to pursue music full-time.
11. Cam’Ron
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Earlier than teaming up on the It Is What It Is podcast, Cam’Ron and Ma$e have been teammates on Manhattan Middle Excessive’s basketball group. Cam’Ron was exceptionally good, main the group to the Public Colleges Athletic Class A championship and receiving affords from Georgetown and USC… so he says.
12. Queen Latifah
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Queen Latifah was a standout energy ahead at Irvington Excessive College in New Jersey, main her group to back-to-back state championships in 1985 and 1986. Want proof of her prowess on the court docket: take a look at this clip of Latifah stealing the ball from NBA nice Shawn Kemp and hitting a flawless layup throughout the 1994 MTV Rock ‘N Jock B-Ball Jam. ‘Nuff mentioned.
13. Rick Ross
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Rozay performed as an offensive lineman at St. Thomas Aquinas Excessive in Florida, profitable 4 state championships. He would go one to attend Albany State College on a soccer scholarship earlier than turning to rap.