We’re back this week counting down the top 10 songs about basketball. Despite ‘Basketball Jones’—a Space Jam classic—not making the list, the selected tracks are nonetheless sure to bring the vibes to the court. Peep the list below!
This track pays homage to Russel Westbrook’s relentless work ethic. According to A. Girl, playing ball requires panache and rhythm, as does the music that accompanies the game: “[the] music that you listen to needs to have the right rhythm for you to ball in a specific type of way.” On this track JID does what JID does best, complemented by A$AP Ferg’s diamond flow, delivering a bass-heavy song about ball.
Coming in at number nine is Lil Wayne’s track ‘Kobe Bryant’, that dropped in 2009 during Weezy’s peak era. The track includes a plethora of references to the game, and he doesn’t miss the opportunity to compare himself to Kobe. “He’s the greatest on the court and I’m the greatest on the verse,” raps Wayne. “Ball is art,” says Lil Spacely, who admires Lil Wayne’s efforts to blend the artistry of music with basketball.
How could we even make this list without including ‘Jumpman’. This Drake, Future and Metro collab will never get old, and is the perfect hype song whether you ball or not. “That’s a classic,” says Lil Spacely. The song is the ultimate package: two of rap’s juggernauts and a club-worthy beat, what more do you need? “You gotta love the song bro,” says Kwabena Brefo.
We had to put this track on the list and show love to the GOAT, Michael Jordan. Kendrick released this track with Schoolboy Q in 2010, and it’s been a prominent song about ball ever since. “I vibe with authenticity, I vibe with real people and you can hear the man having fun on it,” says Titan. “Plus, when the man made that he was bald, so I feel like he took on the persona of Michael,” he adds. The song is also a great example of Kendrick’s legendary ability to switch his flow up by using vocal different vocal inflections on a track.
In at sixth place we have ‘Mo Bamba’, another track that has transcended the realm of basketball, serving as a hype song for all. “That’s a classic. That went viral for ages,” says Lil Bubblegum. “I think the story was Sheck Wes was friends with Mo Bamba, right? And then he just chucked him in a song,” he adds. If that’s the case, then we’re grateful for Harlem natives for producing a track that energises the crowd both on the court and in the mosh pit.
At number five we have 2 Chainz with his downtempo track ‘NCAA’. For Akec Makur Chuot “it’s good but it’s a bit too slow.” She adds, “it would not be a song that I would gravitate towards.” Jasmine Ambarwati can’t help but agree, “rap that’s really slow and really dark it makes me feel tired.” Okay, so this track isn’t a hype song, but we can all agree the lyricism and intention delivered by 2 Chainz is what earnt ‘NCAA’ fifth position.
It would be criminal if this hit from 1995 didn’t make the list. Sliding in at number four, ‘I Wish’ by Skee-Lo is a classic track laced with nothing but positivity and quintessential basketball culture and fashion. “There’s something so colourful and ‘Fresh Prince’ about all of it and I just feel like it’s so nostalgic,” says Jasmine Ambarwati. “This reminds me of my childhood,” says Beza. She adds “this was my happy-go-lucky vibe.” ‘I Wish’ has stood the test of time, bringing joy to ballers since the 90s.
A$AP Ferg has managed to snag two places on our list, bringing home bronze with ‘Dennis Rodman’ featuring Tyga. “It’s probably my favourite [on the list]. I like the beat, the beat is like really good,” says Akec Makur Chuot. This is not the first time Dennis Rodman has made one of our top ten lists, and it just goes to show that he truly is a star.
‘White Iverson’ could go in the Guinness World Records for the most basketball references packed into a song. “You see this white guy with cornrows, and I was a big fan of that,” says MLBRN, who found the song iconic because it paid homage to Allen Iverson. A.Girl was lucky enough to have the track in her playlist before Post Malone received mainstream success. “That’s a hard song,” she says. “He’s just really, really great at music,” says rapper 360. While Post Malone often receives mixed reviews, we can’t dismiss the musical talent he displayed on this track.
“They’re playing basketball, we love that basketball!” It should come as no surprise that Basketball is number one on the list. This multigenerational song was first released by Kurtis Blow in 1994, and later re-released by Bow Wow. Both times the song successfully hit the billboard charts with its unforgettable melody and lyrics that easily get stuck in your head. “That’s a childhood song for me,” says MLBRN. “I’m a fake baller…Where I live, we got like a half court up the road. I walk up there, take my speaker and I play that song. I shoot for however long the song goes for and then I just go home,” says A.Girl. This timeless track will continue to inspire ballers around the world for generations to come.
