'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABcAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBBQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECBAADBRESBgcBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEQEAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABACECEjJi/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCH8j8m85lPmVnJScjMSTMjrKKJHtFUuOeLADseuADtxWVXayrsCp2CQdUpVBWxXTDZg+Sf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In 2021, rapper French Montana threw some shade at the NBA. Montana claimed that it's more difficult to get into the hip-hop industry than the world of basketball.
According to Montana, being a rapper is a tall order, as not every artist has the opportunity to let their music be heard. Unlike basketball, all 15 players on the team get some playing time on the court.
“It’s like, you better off making it in the NBA than making it in hip-hop," Montana said. "NBA, what they got, twenty-eight teams? Fifteen players on every team.”
The rapper added:
“You’re talkin’ about hip hop? You can’t even name ten people that’s hot every couple months. The odds is — anybody could do it if it was easy. So, you’re talkin’ about tryin’ to make it? The hustle gotta be relentless. Can’t take no for an answer.”
While French Montana made a valid argument, he's slightly ignorant about the fact that there are some young talents who get stuck in free agency. Not every player has the luxury of being signed by a team.
The same goes for artists; not all record labels would be interested in producing music for them. At the end of the day, it all comes down to hard work, no matter what industry you come from.
History between NBA Players and Rappers
The NBA has always had close relationships with rappers and other musical artists.
In fact, some players have had their fair share of rap albums released in the market. Guys like Damian Lillard and Shaquille O'Neal are some of the most notable names. So, it's no surprise that these athletes have built a bond with the musicians, especially with those who're also basketball fans.
Snoop Dogg is a huge LA Lakers fan and has made that public over the years. There's Jay-Z, who reportedly owned a stake worth $350,000 in the Brooklyn Nets a few years ago. Another example is Drake who's always rooting for the Toronto Raptors and has made friends with several players such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
