Image via Complex Original
Additional research by Max Ramsfelder.
The most wonderful time of the year for football fans (and the most grating time of the year for the sport's defectors) has arrived: the start of the NFL season. Although the league continues to face controversy surrounding its National Anthem policy, domestic violence punishment, and the continued fallout of concussions, the league still has millions and millions of loyal fans.
Will the Eagles be able to defend their first ever Super Bowl title? Can the Browns finally snap their 600-day winless streak? Will Saquon Barkley or Baker Mayfield become superstars? To some, these questions are podcast fodder, only to be considered during morning commutes. But to more devout fans, those questions are a part of an ideology they've built entire Sundays around, with pre-game hosts as their preachers and post-game spiels as their scripture.
To commemorate football’s return as well as satisfy those who need more than the game itself to feel invested, Complex has curated a handful of playlists to accompany the biggest storylines set to unfold this season, capturing the mood surrounding the teams, players, and circumstances involved.
Tom Brady Maintaining GOAT Status
Curating Tom Brady’s playlist was a simple task—collect anthemic affirmations of greatness from fellow GOATS such as JAY-Z, Kendrick, and Drake (yes), and let the stats do the talking.
All boasting billions of streams, millions of dollars, and thousands of bars alluding to all-out dominance, the artists featured on this playlist (even our sleeper pick, Jay Rock) crafted tracks that succinctly capture Brady’s sustained brilliance throughout his career. Like Hov, the GOAT of all GOATs, Brady has demonstrated very little signs of slowing down, despite being in his 40s.
“What More Can I Say” - JAY-Z
“DNA” - Kendrick Lamar
“WIN” - Jay Rock
“Trophies” - Drake
“Control” - Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica
Can the Browns Get Right?
With LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers for the second time (despite recently making history in his home state for what feels like the millionth time) Cleveland, as a sports city, is in desperate need of inspiration.
The Browns aren’t exactly a great team to turn to given their atrocious 0-16 record last season and long-standing struggles, but they literally can’t get any worse. And there are signs of greener pastures ahead with 2018 1st overall pick Baker Mayfield and 4th overall pick Bradley Chubb enjoying strong pre-seasons. On this playlist, we’ve turned to esteemed poets such as Cameron Giles to galvanize the squad and remind folks how to “get it in Ohio.”
“Get it in Ohio” - Cam’ron
“East 1999” - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
“Till I Die” - MGK
“Cleveland is the Reason” - Kid Cudi
Contract Negotiations
While they still aren't quite clocking NBA dollars, the NFL's biggest cash cows are resetting the market for their sport this year. Odell Beckham Jr. and Khalil Mack just signed record breaking contracts for their positions, while Le’Veon Bell are Julio Jones still await paydays of their own. For the latter two, disputes with their respective organizations (Bell's teammates are reportedly livid with him) have resulted in training camp holdouts and a general air of tension. There's even a good chance that Bell won't play Week 1.
These songs, including Bell’s own “Come Through Freestyle” explain all you need to know about the perspective of someone young, black, and gifted, with their eye on the American dream of capitalism. Forget the franchise tag, these dudes want long-term security and an equitable piece of the pie. And they deserve every last cent.
“Dead Presidents II” - JAY-Z
“All About the Benjamins” - Puff Daddy, Biggie, Lil Kim, the LOX
“1-900-Hustler” - JAY-Z, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek
“B*tch Better Have My Money” - Rihanna
“Come Through Freestyle” - Le'Veon Bell
“Get Paid" - Vince Staples
“Young, Black, and Gifted Freestyle” - JAY-Z
Setbacks and Comebacks
Physical pain, psychological trauma, and spiritual toughness construct the theme for this playlist—rising through adversity. The injury bug bit many of the NFL’s top-tier talent in 2017, including J.J. Watt, Odell Beckham, Carson Wentz (an MVP candidate), and Deshaun Watson, robbing them of their seasons. Even Aaron Rodgers and Rob Gronkowski missed significant time.
As certain spectators doubt these players’ ability to bounce back, especially the older ones, 50 Cent, Tupac, Mobb Deep, and other famously scorned rappers have some words of motivation.
“Many Men” - 50 Cent
“Survival of the Fittest” - Mobb Deep
“Ambitionz Az a Ridah” - Tupac
“Still D.R.E” - Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg
“Hate Me Now” - Nas, Puff Daddy
“Forgot About Dre” - Dr. Dre, Eminem
“Mama Said Knock You Out” - LL Cool J
Meek Season
While squaring off with the Philadelphia judicial system, which sprung advocates for social justice and prison reform across the country into action, Meek Mill served as inspiration for his hometown Philadelphia Eagles on their way to Super Bowl glory.
Mill’s 2012 classic “Dreams and Nightmares Intro,” detailing his escape from anguish and poverty, was so embraced by the Eagles and the city of Philly, the overwhelming support lifted the rapper’s spirits throughout his fight for his freedom. Fans of both the team and Meek’s own story of redemption are hoping his latest anthem for the city, “Millidelphia,” will have a similar effect—both on and off the field.
“Millidelphia” - Meek Mill
“What We Do” - Freeway, JAY-Z
“Who Want What” - Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek
“Litty” - Meek Mill, Tory Lanez
“Left Hollywood” - Meek Mill
Jimmy’s Revenge
There’s an argument to be made that Jimmy Garoppolo is the Aubrey Graham of the NFL. A shared affinity for strippers and faces too pretty for their respective professions aside, what connects the two stars is the fact that Garoppolo’s career to date could very well be explained through Drake lyrics—"trade you off the team while you in your sleep / y’all showed me that nothing’s guaranteed" being among them.
The former heir-apparent to Tom Brady in New England, Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers last year mid-season thanks to some Shady Brady and Robert Kraft shenanigans. Despite the behind-the-scenes politicking, Jimmy G led the 49ers to a sparkling 5-0 record when he joined the squad, demonstrating a laser-sharp focus that can be best summarized by Drake’s post-beef warcry on “Summer Sixteen”—”looking for revenge.” Now, he’s looking for more than revenge. He wants to prove he’s the best.
“Summer Sixteen” - Drake
“Energy” - Drake
“Free Smoke” - Drake
“Nonstop” - Drake
“Can’t Have Everything” - Drake
“Glow” - Drake, Kanye West
“Started From The Bottom” - Drake
$100 Million Man
Jon Gruden hasn’t coached professional football since 2008. Yet the former voice of Monday Night Football and ESPN QB Camp counselor(?) signed a massive 10-year, $100 million contract to become the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
The test for Gruden moving forward won’t just be to win within the decade-long commitment, but to help maintain that deep Raiders fan base (which includes some of the Bay area legends featured on this playlist) once the organization takes its talents to Las Vegas.
“Yay Area” - E-40
“Like a Martian”- Lil B
“Wonton Soup” - Lil B
“2 Hard 4 for the F*ckin’ Radio” - Mac Dre
“Tell Me When to Go” - E-40, Keak Da Sneak
“Thizzle Dance” - Mac Dre
Saquon Barkley Returning to His Roots
As Saquon Barkley returns to the five boroughs to play for the New York Giants, it’s only right we provide him with a playlist to bump as he pushes through those notoriously gridlocked NYC streets. Featuring classic New York gems, Rowdy Rebel and Bobby Shmurda’s unforgettable contribution to the city’s resurgent energy, as well as an appearance from the consummate patriot Juelz Santana, this playlist is built to withstand any corny NYC slander referencing Tims and deadass-ery.
If Barkley is able to course-correct the Giants’ drifting vessel, he may join the ranks of the city’s other most beloved young stars, Kristaps Porzingis and Aaron Judge.
“Welcome to New York City” - Cam’ron, JAY-Z, Juelz Santana
“NY State of Mind” - Nas
“Shook Ones, Pt. II” - Mobb Deep
“I Really Mean It” - Dipset
“Dipset Anthem” - Dipset
“Computers” - Rowdy Rebel, Bobby Shmurda
Future Still Living in the Past
If the aforementioned declarations of indifference have kept you from staying up on the NFL—including clear signals that the league isn't concerned with the brutalization of women, their own players, or unarmed black people—the odds are the sole player you've kept up with is Russell Wilson, via the drama on your Twitter feed.
Future and Ciara split way back in 2015, but the Atlanta crooner can’t seem to get his mind off his former muse and her husband, Russell Wilson. The ongoing conflict, which demonstrates the rapper’s toxic obsession with Ciara and Wilson’s remarkably carefree home, is uncomfortable to say the least.
But, for better or worse, we’re here for the jokes. Here’s a list of songs featuring the rapper’s jabs at the couple, either real or imagined, ending with a track capturing what we all know to be the root of the conflict—Future’s pure misery.
“I Serve the Base” - Future
“How It Feel” - Future
“Real Thing” - Tory Lanez, Future
“My Collection” - Future
“Hate the Real Me” - Future
Nike Is With Kap
In 1991, Chuck D of Public Enemy rapped “I like Nike, but wait a minute / the neighborhood supports, so put some money in it.” Twenty seven years, an ironic television spot, and generation defining protest later, Nike appears to finally be answering that call to action.
In partnering with organizer and activist Colin Kaepernick for the 30th anniversary of the brand’s Just Do It campaign, as a part of their famed “star contract,” Nike has essentially armed the former 49ers quarterback with the required resources to affect the sort of change that he’s been fighting for—a fight that’s resulted in him being blackballed from the NFL.
Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and racial inequality places him alongside the likes of LeBron James in continuing a tradition of social awareness and activism set by athletes such as Muhammad Ali and Jesse Owens.
Another tradition in the fight for equality is the way black music has always soundtracked the struggle. With songs dating back to the Civil Rights Movement as well as Black Lives Matter anthems, each song on this playlist is an ode to the revolutionaries who came before Kaepernick, as well as the agents of change he’s inspired since.
"I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I’ll Get It Myself)" - James Brown
"King Kunta" - Kendrick Lamar
"Alright" - Kendrick Lamar
"Shut Em Down" - Public Enemy
"Move on Up" - Curtis Mayfield
"Respect" - Aretha Franklin
"Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" - James Brown
"Fight the Power" - Public Enemy
