Image via Complex Original
According to sportsnet.ca, in the 74 days of the NHL lockout, 308 games and more than $440 million in salary have been lost. With four lockouts in the last 20 years, hockey has lost the interest of average sports fans along with some of the die-hards. Things weren't always that way though. The 1997 Stanley Cup Final between the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings was the most watched Final of the last two decades with an average of 6.3 million viewers. The other hockey trend from the '90s besides higher TV ratings? NHL jerseys were actually in style. Especially among rappers.
We always talk about rappers showing their admiration for NBA ballers, but rap and hockey have a bond as well. Rappers use hockey references in their rhymes with lines like "I'm skating on blades like Sidney Crosby" or “Still high two-steppin' it/Do it for the capital Wale Ovechkin.”
Rappers love to drop a hot hockey line and they certainly love to get their picture taken reppin' their favorite NHL teams. Though it was much more common a couple decades ago, you can still catch rappers of today like Lil Wayne and Drake rocking NHL jerseys. So from Ghostface Killah and Craig Mack to Young Jeezy and Fabolous, here's a look back at hip-hop's hockey jersey trend.
2Pac, Detroit Red Wings
Reason No. 1,874 why the '90s were awesome: 2Pac rocking a Red Wings jersey to court and spitting at reporters while leaving. This >>> Weezy's deposition.
Fabolous, New York Rangers
You know the MC who made a song dedicated to jerseys would be in this gallery. But we have to ask, who will Fab's allegiance be with after the Islanders move to Brooklyn?
Craig Mack, Tampa Bay Lightning
Fun fact: The Tampa Bay Lightning first took the ice in 1992, two years before Craig Mack filmed this video for "Flava in Ya Ear."
Snoop Dogg, Washington Capitals
We liked The Doggfather more when he repped for the Penguins and went by Snoop Dogg instead of Snoop Lion. *sigh*
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Fredro Starr (Onyx), Onyx Hockey Team
The rare hockey meets hip-hop music video is great, but Onyx hasn't dropped a memorable video since.
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Tek, Chicago Blackhawks
In 2015 Tek and the rest of the Boot Camp Clik will have a home arena to go to. The Islanders need a little ruggedness added to their squad.
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Cappadonna, Montreal Canadiens
Wu-Tang is not only for the children, they are for the NHL! We'd love to see Cappadonnna sit in on the labor talks.
Method Man, New York Rangers
M-E-T-H-O-D Ranger. Could be a superhero with bionic gloves and a hockey stick.
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Nelly, St. Louis Blues
Who would've thought Nelly would go from rapping about St. Louis in a Blues jersey to taking nude pics with birthday cakes. #midlifecrisis.
Xzibit, Toronto Maple Leafs
"Yo dawg, so I heard you like viewing pictures of rappers in hockey jerseys, so I made sure to take a picture of myself in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey."
Pimp C, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Pimp C flossing in '93 with the brand new Anaheim Mighty Ducks jersey? #Legendary #RIPChad
Drake, Custom NHL All-Star Jersey
Of course the Toronto native loves hockey! He's not frontin' like some of the other rappers on this list, Drake's been in the game since he was a young'n.
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Lil Wayne, Vancouver Canucks
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The Canucks have had the best record for two years in a row. Weezy's bandwagoner ways have no limits.
Ghostface Killah, Team Canada
Ghostface doesn't rock hockey jerseys anymore, but the golden eagle on the wrist remains.
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Young Jeezy, Vancouver Canucks
Idea: Rick Ross and Young Jeezy settle their beef on ice. We've got our money on Da Snowman.
