When Hip Hop Meets Football

Rap and football have crossed paths in unexpected ways.

Detroit Lions - Diddy is already part of a multimillion dollar Nike ad campaign featuring the Lions' star WR Calvin Johnson, so why not let Johnson (Diddy's character in the ads) run the whole operation?(Photos from left: Leon Halip/Getty Images, Michael Stewart/Getty Images)

1 / 17

When Hip Hop Meets Football - Detroit Lions superstar Calvin Johnson a.k.a. Megatron is the anti-diva of NFL wide receivers. He’s known to keep a low profile and does most of his talking through his All-Pro performance on the field. So how does he handle the glare of the spotlight? He doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. In a new Nike ad, Calvin just has to be Calvin, while Diddy (someone who relishes the media spotlight) plays his attention-loving alter ego, Johnson. With the start of the 2013 NFL season kicking off tonight, we take a look at other moments when hip hop and the gridiron have crossed paths in unexpected ways. Click on to see other notable links between rap and football.(Photos from left: Leon Halip/Getty Images, Michael Stewart/Getty Images)

"It's the Roc in Here" - Jay Z and Roc Nation Sports are making headlines again, this time for new signee Ndamukong Suh. The music industry superstar became certified to represent NBA, NFL and MLB players in 2013 and has signed big-name athletes like Robinson Cano, Victor Cruz and more. BET.com takes a look at the rise of Roc Nation Sports. —Dominique Zonyéé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

2 / 17

Roc Solid Bond - It's not enough for Jay Z to have a musical empire, Roc Nation, the hip hop star threw his fitted hat in the ring to stake his claim on the sports world. Hov entered the world of sports management by launching Roc Nation Sports this year and two of his top clients are New York Jets QB Geno Smith and New York Giants WR Victor Cruz. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Rap Bros - We know Eli and Peyton Manning can quarterback a team to a Super Bowl, but who knew they had flow. The brothers Manning shocked football fans and hip hop heads alike when they spit some buzzworthy bars in their "F.O.Y.P. (Football On Your Phone)" music video. The catchy promotion for DirectTV was one of the viral hits on the Internet this year.(Photo: Direct TV)

3 / 17

Rap Bros - We know Eli and Peyton Manning can quarterback a team to a Super Bowl, but who knew they had flow. The brothers Manning shocked football fans and hip hop heads alike when they spit some buzzworthy bars in their "F.O.Y.P. (Football On Your Phone)" music video. The catchy promotion for DirectTV was one of the viral hits on the Internet this year.(Photo: Direct TV)

When Hip Hop Meets Football - Houston Texan running back Arian Foster enlisted the help of special coach Bun B, The UGK legend, in September 2012. The rapper revealed that Foster is an aspiring MC and that he's been mentoring him in the booth. "It’s not something that he really focuses on during the season 'cause he wants to make sure the Houston Texans get every dime they paid for out of him,” he said. “He’s very focused and very determined to make sure he gets his best effort when the season’s on the line."   (Photos from left: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

4 / 17

When Hip Hop Meets Football - Houston Texan running back Arian Foster enlisted the help of special coach Bun B, The UGK legend, in September 2012. The rapper revealed that Foster is an aspiring MC and that he's been mentoring him in the booth. "It’s not something that he really focuses on during the season 'cause he wants to make sure the Houston Texans get every dime they paid for out of him,” he said. “He’s very focused and very determined to make sure he gets his best effort when the season’s on the line." (Photos from left: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Today Was a Good Day - Actor/legendary West Coast MC Ice Cube hits the blue carpet arrival of the Pepsi NFL Anthems Kickoff Eve at Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square in New York City. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

5 / 17

Cube Steals the Spotlight - Compton legend Ice Cube has been a Raiders fan since the days when they were in L.A., and he proved it with "Come and Get It," a new song bigging up the silver and black as part of the Pepsi NFL Anthems campaign.   (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Football – Doggy-Style - The Doggfather loves football and scantily clad women, so this only make too much sense. Snoop Dogg made waves yesterday when news leaked that he'd become co-owner of a women's football team, the L.A. Riderettes, part of the Lady Arena Football League. The league features female athletes playing arena football in skimpy lingerie outfits. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UP2U Gum)

6 / 17

Football – Doggy-Style - The Doggfather loves football and scantily clad women, so this only make too much sense. Snoop Dogg made waves yesterday when news leaked that he'd become co-owner of a women's football team, the L.A. Riderettes, part of the Lady Arena Football League. The league features female athletes playing arena football in skimpy lingerie outfits. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UP2U Gum)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/Music-08.16-08.31/081811-music-hip-hop-football-snoop-dogg-pop-warner.jpg

7 / 17

Snoop Dogg Teaches the Pups - Snoop's been a youth football coach and advocate since well before his involvement in women's football. He started his own nonprofit Pop Warner organization, the Snoop Youth Football League, in 2005. (Photo: Bob Levey/WireImage)

Deion Sanders and Snoop Dogg - In August 2011, at the ninth annual “Snoop Bowl,” Snoop Dogg announced Sanders' induction into the Football Hall of Fame. A few days later, the good friends released a celebratory song titled "Fame."(Photo: Michael Caulfield/Getty Images for VH1)

8 / 17

Deion Sanders and Snoop Dogg - In August 2011, at the ninth annual “Snoop Bowl,” Snoop Dogg announced Sanders' induction into the Football Hall of Fame. A few days later, the good friends released a celebratory song titled "Fame."(Photo: Michael Caulfield/Getty Images for VH1)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/04/Celebs-4.16-4.30/042811-celeb-uncle-luke.jpg

9 / 17

Uncle Luke and Miami University - In August 2011, Luther “Luke” Campbell was mired in a scandal involving the University of Miami football team. Nevin Shapiro, a convicted felon serving a 20-year sentence for running a Ponzi scheme, said that the Miami bass pioneer lavished "The U" players with cash and other illegal gifts in the ’80s. Luke denied the charges. (Photo: Larry Marano/Retna Ltd.)

Mos Def and Deion Sanders Charge It - Neon Deion and a pre-fame Mos Def starred in a hilarious 1996 Visa commercial. Mos played an overbearing cashier who was a huge fan of the star cornerback/return specialist but still wouldn’t let him pay by check without showing I.D.

10 / 17

Mos Def and Deion Sanders Charge It - Neon Deion and a pre-fame Mos Def starred in a hilarious 1996 Visa commercial. Mos played an overbearing cashier who was a huge fan of the star cornerback/return specialist but still wouldn’t let him pay by check without showing I.D.

ADVERTISEMENT
Jay Z and Larry Johnson - Washington Redskins running back Larry Johnson and Jay Z have had a bromance for years now. Johnson has even been seen wearing a Roc-A-Fella chain and the two were once rumored to own an apartment in NYC together. (Photos: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images; Doug Benc/Getty Images)

11 / 17

Jay Z and Larry Johnson - Washington Redskins running back Larry Johnson and Jay Z have had a bromance for years now. Johnson has even been seen wearing a Roc-A-Fella chain and the two were once rumored to own an apartment in NYC together. (Photos: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images; Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images; Doug Benc/Getty Images

Michael Vick and T.I. - Then a star QB for the Atlanta Falcons, reformed dogfighter Michael Vick made a cameo in fellow ATLer T.I.’s “Rubberband Man” video.(Photos: Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

12 / 17

Michael Vick and T.I. - Then a star QB for the Atlanta Falcons, reformed dogfighter Michael Vick made a cameo in fellow ATLer T.I.’s “Rubberband Man” video.(Photos: Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Daunte Culpepper Goes Big Tyme - Back in 2004, whenever then Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper would score a touchdown, he’d break out in a celebratory “roll” dance, popularized in the Big Tymers’ hit video “Get Your Roll On.”(Photos: Cash Money Records; Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

13 / 17

Daunte Culpepper Goes Big Tyme - Back in 2004, whenever then Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper would score a touchdown, he’d break out in a celebratory “roll” dance, popularized in the Big Tymers’ hit video “Get Your Roll On.”(Photos: Cash Money Records; Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Wiz Khalifa Reps for the Steelers - Earlier this year, Pittsburgh repper Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow,” which shouts out the city’s official colors, rode the success of the Steelers to the top of the charts. The team in turn made the song their official anthem, and even invited Wiz to perform it at the AFC Championship game (pictured here)—which they won.    (Photo: UPI/Kevin Dietsch/Landov)

14 / 17

Wiz Khalifa Reps for the Steelers - Earlier this year, Pittsburgh repper Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow,” which shouts out the city’s official colors, rode the success of the Steelers to the top of the charts. The team in turn made the song their official anthem, and even invited Wiz to perform it at the AFC Championship game (pictured here)—which they won. (Photo: UPI/Kevin Dietsch/Landov)

Lil Wayne vs. Deezle - New Orleans producer Deezle claimed that he's owed approximately $20 million for producing "Lollipop" (co-produced by Jim Jonsin), "Whip It," "Prostitute 2," "Action," "Mrs. Officer" and "Let the Beat Build" off Wayne's classic Tha Carter III album. Weezy ultimately settled out of court, paying up $20 million to the producer.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

15 / 17

Lil Wayne Says "Cheese" - Weezy, an unabashed “Cheesehead,” responded to Wiz Khalifa’s Steelers anthem “Black and Yellow” with “Green and Yellow,” which bigged up the Green Bay Packers—who then went on to beat the Steelers in the Superbowl. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

ADVERTISEMENT
Suge Knight: April 19 - The controversial Death Row mogul turns 48. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

16 / 17

Suge Knight's Not-So-Surprising Past - Before he rose to fame as the feared CEO of Death Row Records, once home to Dr. Dre, Snoop and Tupac, Suge had a very brief—two games, to be exact—run as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 NFL strike. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for LMVH)

Photo By Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

"Super Bowl Shuffle" - The first real run-in between rap and football probably came in 1985, when the Bears recorded and released the hilariously awkward and awful rap song and video “Super Bowl Shuffle.” The song went on to sell 500,000 copies, but fortunately, the Bears stuck to their day jobs—they went on to win the Super Bowl later that year.

17 / 17

"Super Bowl Shuffle" - The first real run-in between rap and football probably came in 1985, when the Bears recorded and released the hilariously awkward and awful rap song and video “Super Bowl Shuffle.” The song went on to sell 500,000 copies, but fortunately, the Bears stuck to their day jobs—they went on to win the Super Bowl later that year.