HEY MR. CARTER: Top Five Sports References From JayZ And Fellow Mr. Carter, Lil Wayne0

Dwayne ‘Lil Wayne’ Carter is one of the most prolific emcees in the game right now.

No matter if you are more prone to accepting the sober or Styrofoam carrying version of the rapper, there’s no way you can deny how captivating his words can be at times. Better when freestyling than when he was inking his rhymes, Wayne has released so many songs with countless sports references that it is only right IAMNBA takes part in ranking them all.

But, we are going to do it with a little bit of a ‘Watch the Throne’ addition in the mix.

JayZ has been sort of a hot topic, so we are going to add the other famed Mr. Carter’s references to our list. We have sifted through all the ones we could get our hands on and have compiled a list of the top ten sports references from the No.2 emcee from last year’s countdown of the five greatest rappers of the 21^st century, falling behind Eminem, and one half of the compilation of WTT.

“On the two jewels I blew more money than Latrell, who else, they don’t know you, think they know you too well” – It’s Alright, JayZ

This is one of my favorite projects from Rocafella so it had to be included. Coming off of the Streets Is Watching soundtrack, ‘It’s Alright’ was a dope track from Mr. Sean Carter and Memphis Bleek. The underhanded jab at Latrell Sprewell, who was known, amongst other things, for choking his Golden State coach and multiple foreclosures, was one of the most favorable I have heard…..ever. Let’s be honest with ourselves. As decent of a player Sprewell was, he seemed to squander his money away in a fashion that only MC Hammer could understand.

“Listen close I got duct tape and rope, I leave you missin like the f***in O’Bannons” - Cannon, Lil Wayne

A reference of this magnitude had to hit the list. If you know nothing about the O’Bannon twins, let me give you a little background information. The twins were like hoop murderers in UCLA, using the term murderers very figuratively. No need for 911 unless you are looking to put out an APB for their NBA careers which ended for Charles Edward O’Bannon after two seasons (Detroit Pistons) and for Edward Charles O’Bannon Jr. after two season as well (Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets). Ed O’Bannon was the plan during the year UCLA won the NCAA Championship. Then it all started to go bad for the twins. Look them up! You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

“Haters can’t disturb him, waiters can’t serve him, Mike Jordan of rap, outside J workin’, now watch how quickly I drop 50” – Hova (Intro)”, JayZ

Do I truly need words to explain why this is one of the greatest sports references? Even mentioning Michael Jordan’s name gets you about five points because you’re paying your dues to someone worth acknowledging for the rest of your natural and spiritual life. Jordan’s tunnel vision is what made him so successful at every endeavor he has explored except for staying in retirement. That was the only thing that Jordan had to try and try again at.

“I must be LeBron James if he’s Jordan! No, I want rings with my performance, I’m more Kobe Bryant of an artist!” – Dough is What I Got, Lil Wayne

This reference landed at number two because it seems as if Wayne may have predicted James’ career long before fans realized the superstar may never win a ring. He has all the potential in the world to finally arrive, however it seems to be taking him a little longer than predicted to get there. It is four years later, get it together already!

“The quarterback, well protected from the Warren Sapp. The young heart attack, I spit that cardiac.” – Best Rapper Alive, Lil Wayne

Number one why? First things first, this may be, even with all of Wayne’s most recent releases, one of the hardest records he has ever put out. The reference is simple and anyone who knows a pinch about football knows the enormity of being protected from now retired football legend Warren Sapp. Yes, it has nothing to do with basketball, but it was too great of a lyric to just leave to itself.

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