Every mainstream rapper has name-dropped a professional athlete, especially the five artists, Macklemore, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Kanye West, who were nominated for Best Rap album at this year’s Grammy Awards. Macklemore leads the “Name-Dropping Category” with 49 athlete mentions and Jay Z is in second place with 26.
Interesting fact, “over the past five years, the artist who won “Best Rap Album” has averaged 11.6 sports allusions, and no rapper has had more than 12 allusions since Lil’ Wayne won the award in 2009 with 21 sports-related mentions in his album.” Very possible that this fact will be broken and Macklemore could win with his big 49 mentions.
However, out of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and other big-time athletes, Michael Jordan is the only one who was name-dropped by all five Grammy nominees in their albums. According to Rap Genius, “Air Jordan is accounted for nearly .009% of all rap words.” This is a higher rate than Obama and LeBron James combined. Jordan’s name and shoe brand will never die away, he will forever be in lyrics until the day that rap fades away, which is never pretty much.
Jordan Drops (Some Grammy Nominees and Some Not)
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as in Paris (Explicit)
Drake- Over My Dead Body
Childish Gambino – Sunrise
Kendrick Lamar – Michael Jordan Ft. School Boy Q
Pusha T – 40 Acres Ft. The Dream
[WSJ]