The NBA put together a terrific article about the feeling of being name-dropped in songs and how special it is.
As Drake notes, the bond between music and sports is so tight because musicians want to be athletes, and vice-versa.
And while stars get referenced left and right, I think it’s just as fun when the more obscure players receive some attention, too.
NBA Obscurity in Music Lyrics
Jeff Hornacek might not be the most obscure, but he’s certainly up there. The Utah Jazz guard and former New York Knicks coach has an entire song named after him, as well as a line in an Action Bronson track.
Swingman Thabo Sefolosha gets a fun lil’ reference in the song “2 Vaults” by Tee Grizley feat. Lil’ Yachty.
The line? “Ball like Sefolosha / skrrt the Testarossa.” Excellent.
Of course, Pearl Jam wanted to name its band Mookie Blaylock, but due to legal issues, it settled on the name that sounded more like a condiment and less like an Atlanta Hawks point guard.
Instead, the grunge kiddos named an album Ten, Blaylock’s number with the Hawks.
And nearly a decade ago, I recorded a bad song in about 15 minutes with the goal of naming a bunch of players.
Perhaps my favorite line is about how Nets fans were upset about me not naming a Nets player, getting a smooth Chase Budinger reference with “But in Jersey they’re revolting” (or Budingersey, if you’re more of a phonetic speller).
I eventually do include a Net — Toko Shengelia, who played a total of 45 games in the NBA. Yes, I’m a weirdo.
One small nitpick, though. That NBA article ends by wondering what kind of rhymes you can make with “Antetokounmpo.”
Even by early 2019, at least 35 songs had featured a nod to the Bucks star.
Truly, anything is possible. Cheers to NBA obscurity in music!