Ballers/Rappers

Congrats to the Miami Heat for taking the whole enchilada. I especially got love for the old skoolers (GP, Zo, Riles, and maybe even some for Walker). But since this is supposed to be a music blog, I can’t just talk about ball. So the next logically thing is to bring up that age-old debate, ballers who want to be rappers & rappers who want to be ballers. The connection is clear, both achieve a high level of financial success and come from humble beginnings. Now with the rappers who want to be ballers, I tend to think that they’re are more success stories here than vice versa. Some clean examples of fellas who can rock the pill as well as the mic are Snoop, Nelly, Biv (from Bell Biv DeVoe), etc. Some of these were serious ballers, but saw a better future in hip-hop (a la Master P).

Now the other way around, ballers who want to be rappers, hasn’t worked as well for some reason. Prime examples include AI, Kobe, and most recently, Tony Parker (in French nonetheless). And who can forget, or at least hope to forget, that sorry compilation B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret, where the hottest producers at the time (Warren G, Ill Al Skratch, etc.) worked with ballers like Jason Kidd, Cedric Ceballos, etc. The way that one worked out, they probably all wish it was still a secret. We won’t even get into the other sports athletes (Deion Sanders is probably thanking the Lord as we speak). But there has been one exception to this rule: The Diesel. Shaquille O’Neal has dropped more solo albums (4) and had better sales than any other baller/rapper period. Consider this, Shaq’s first album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum in 1993. It did better than hip-hop legends Queen Latifah’s, Soul’s of Mischief’s & Run DMC’s albums that same year. I mean, BIG was so big, that he even had his video for the song “Outstanding” debut on In Living Color, when it was still a hot show.

[MP3] Fu-Schnickens feat. Shaq :: What's Up Doc?
[MP3] Shaquille O’Neal :: I Hate 2 Brag
[MP3] Shaq feat. Notorious BIG :: Still Can’t Stop the Reign

Here’s to hoping that D. Wade doesn’t kick rhymes.

:: MISTA HIPPO ::

High Post Pass

{I did this when I was in the 3rd grade...I killed with puffy paint!!!}

{Ahead of the curve, over a decade later Adidas does it + 3 more rings.}

Sometimes it can be a little rough coming up with ideas to write these posts. This is one of those times for me. So I take cue from two of the other writers here at GD.

First Half:
Since MPB set it off with his Lakers post, I thought to myself, why hasn't the #1 Lakers fan in the world done a Laker's post yet. So here it is (you'll notice the selection of music was from when certain players were still Lakers, after they left...they dead to me).

[MP3] Shaquille O'Neal feat. Peter Gunz :: The Way It's Going Down (T.W.IsM. For Life)
{To me, Shaq is still hands down the best athlete to cross over to the rap world...ever.}
[MP3] The 1987 World Champion Lakers :: Just Say No
{One of the best teams ever...with one of the worst songs ever. I bought the record for the cover art.}
[VIDEO] Cedric Ceballos :: Flow On

Now that Bynum's hurt, maybe the Laker's season ain't over, but maybe we should try to position ourselves to draft this guy. Or maybe Magic can come back again (I miss those old NBA videotapes...damn, did I just say videotapes)???

Second Half:
Saw that banner put up a very funny Chris Rock sketch from back in his SNL days. Here are some of my favorite tracks (all produced by Prince Paul no doubt!):

[MP3] Chris Rock :: Press Conference
[MP3] Chris Rock :: Roger & Zapp
{Maybe Snoop is trying to be a comedian too?}
[MP3] Chris Rock :: Porno PSA
{Sort of like Jay-Z's 'PSA'?}

I'll eat my words from a few years ago, Mitch Kupchak should be Executive of the Year (should be called the Jerry West award) this season (getting Bynum, Farmar, Ariza, bringing Fisher back). Either him or Kevin McHale, for how he rebuilt the...Celtics (it was like this for Laker fans the day we got Shaq).

Game Over.
::MISTA HIPPO::

Be Thankful

The economy is in the hole, the war is endless and Dubyah still has time to put the icing on the cake, but there is still always something that we can be thankful for. Case in point, Wayman Tisdale (see video above). And he is by far the most talented basketball player turned musician. Even better than Shaq. Even though most of his music is a little too "Kenny G" for me, it's dope that he can do it and do it well. The man has released 8 albums, the most recent being Rebound, which he did after his accident.

[MP3] Wayman Tisdale feat. Marvin Sapp :: Grateful

Keep ya' head up.
::MISTA HIPPO::

Movement 101

{Classic song, classic video.}


{Hopefully this will hold us over until next season's So You Think You Can Dance (DANCE, DANCE, DANCE). Thanks MPB for the clip.}


{Another classic, 2x.}


{You've probably seen him before here. Illness.}


{Me on Monday nights. I can't believe this guys has been in the L for 11 years now. I'm glad he gave up the rap (only Shaq).}


{I think this takes the cake...or this...and then there's this(not for the faint hearted) which of course, comes from this.}

Get your groove on (but please be careful).
::MH::