Media Monster

Lil’ Wayne Went A Little Crazy With The Sports References On His New Mixtape

by Dan Fogarty and Timothy Burke | 2:27 pm, July 13th, 2011

Warning: since this is a Lil’ Wayne mixtape, the above video contains NSFW language.

Today, Lil’ Wayne released a mixtape called “Sorry 4 the Wait.” Normally, CNN doesn’t report on a rapper releasing freestyle verses over other rappers’ beats. But Lil’ Wayne, widely regarded as one of the most important musicians on the planet, is not your typical rapper.

Throughout his career, Wayne has made it a point to reference his extensive and diverse knowledge of sports in his music. On 2007′s “Dough is What I Got,” Wayne defined his ambition by juxtaposing famous NBA players (“And when it comes down to this recording / I must be LeBron James if he’s Jordan / no, I want rings for my performance / I’m more a Kobe Bryant of an artist”).

On 2009′s “Swag Surfin,” he went with a highbrow sport for a lowbrow purpose, using golf to define… his balls (“Walk around like I’m 30 feet tall/Tiger Woods on these hoes tryna birdie these balls”).

His nultimate ode to sports, 2006′s “SportsCenter,” included lines about tennis (“I’m servin’ this track like Steffi Graf/ Roger Federer, there’s no competitor”).

“Sorry 4 the Wait” continues Wayne’s tradition of sports-littered verses. We counted at least 11 sports references, covering at least seven types of sports. Wayne refers to:

- The Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, who are Big B’s.

- NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who is like a joint of weed.

- Pro and college football Hall of Famer (and notorious murder suspect) OJ Simpson, who is a killer.

- Noted Major League Baseball player (and steroid user ) Jose Canseco, who is on steroids.

- WWE wrestler John Cena, who beats people up.

- Goalkeepers.

- Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, who hits things.

- Football players.

- Former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, who knocks things out.

- Newly minted Sacramento King Jimmer Fredette, who’s a good shooter.

- Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who’s magic.