Ayrton Oneill
While Nicki Minaj didn't invent basketball, she has proven to be a sports enthusiast in her music, with witty references to basketball, football, baseball, boxing, and golf. Minaj has referenced NBA superstar LeBron James and the historic 2016 NBA Finals, where the Cleveland Cavaliers made a comeback to win the series. She has also shouted out the WNBA, rapping about Lisa Leslie, the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. Minaj's sports references showcase her versatility as a rapper and her ability to flip words creatively, solidifying her place as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Topic | Nicki Minaj rapping about sports |
| Mentioned sports | Basketball, football, baseball, boxing, golf |
| Mentioned athletes | LeBron James, Lisa Leslie, Steph Curry, Eli Manning |
| Song references | "Do You Mind" by DJ Khaled, "Super Bass", "Roman's Revenge" |
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What You'll Learn
Nicki Minaj's references to basketball in her songs
Nicki Minaj has made several references to basketball in her songs. In "Truffle Butter" (2014), Minaj raps, "I ain't gotta compete with a single soul/I'm good with the ballpoint game, finger roll." In "The Boys" (2012), she references basketball legend Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, rapping, "Told 'em Nicki be chilling, I'mma keep hurting they feelings/Because you'll never be Jordan, you couldn't even be Pippen."
Minaj also references basketball in "Feeling Myself" (2014), with the line, "Got a black card that'll let Saks have it, these Chanel bags is a bad habit/I-I do balls, Dal Mavericks, my Maybach, black matted." In "Only" (2014), she raps, "I don't f--- with them chickens, unless they last name is Cutlet/Let it soak in like seasoning/And tell them bitches blow me: Lance Stephenson."
In "Itty Bitty Piggy" (2009), Minaj makes a basketball reference with the line, "I could've been had fame, jump shot with a stupid ass aim/Cause you couldn't get around the last name, so my cross-over wins the last game." She also references basketball in her collaboration with DJ Khaled, "Do You Mind" (2016), rapping, "Every baller tryna score, check them shot clocks/But I hit 'em with them 'Bron-Iguodala blocks."
In addition to these explicit references, Minaj has also been said to reference basketball vernacular and players' names in her lyrics more frequently than other sports. She has also collaborated with pop superstar Katy Perry on a song called "Swish, Swish," which further suggests her interest in basketball.
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Lisa Leslie, the WNBA player mentioned by Nicki Minaj
While it is unclear if Nicki Minaj invented basketball, the rapper has referenced the sport in her music. In one instance, she shouts out the WNBA, mentioning one of the best basketball players to play the game, Lisa Leslie: "Runnin' down the court I'm dunkin' on 'em Lisa Leslie".
Lisa Leslie is a basketball legend. Born in Compton, California, in 1972, Leslie began playing basketball in middle school. She was the only left-handed player on her team, so she trained herself to become ambidextrous, which proved advantageous to her game. By the time she was in high school, she was dunking the ball in the open court. She led her team to the 1989 California state championship and was the top scorer and rebounder. She also competed in volleyball, track, and field, qualifying for the state in the 400-meter run and high jump.
Leslie's success in high school basketball led to her recruitment to the University of Southern California. She played a total of 120 college games, averaging 20.1 points and hitting over half of her shots. She set Pac-10 Conference records for scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots, accumulating 2,414 points, 1,214 rebounds, and 321 blocked shots. She was honoured with All-Pac-10 recognition all four years and was the first player in Pac-10 history to obtain a first team for all four years and earn the Pac-10 Rookie of the Year award in 1991.
After college, Leslie went on to play professionally in the WNBA. She played for the Los Angeles Sparks and was the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. In 2011, she was voted by fans as one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history. Throughout her career, she also represented the USA in international competition, winning four Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008) and two FIBA World Championships (1998 and 2002). In 2015, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Leslie's post-playing career has seen her take on coaching roles, and in 2019 she led the Triplets to the BIG3 Championship.
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Nicki Minaj's favourite basketball players
While there is no evidence to suggest that Nicki Minaj invented basketball, she is certainly a huge fan of the sport. Minaj has proven herself to be a sports aficionado, with witty references to basketball, football, baseball, boxing, golf, and even fencing appearing in her lyrics.
Basketball vernacular and players' names are mentioned in Minaj's lyrics more frequently than any other sport, leading many to believe that it is her favourite. Minaj has even released a song called "Swish, Swish" with pop superstar Katy Perry, further fuelling speculation about her love for the game.
So, who are Nicki Minaj's favourite basketball players? Here are some of the players she has referenced in her songs:
LeBron James
Minaj has mentioned LeBron James, the NBA superstar, in her songs in various ways throughout her career. On DJ Khaled's "Do You Mind," Minaj references the 2016 NBA Finals, where James made a historic play, blocking Andre Iguodola with under two minutes left in Game 7. Minaj's lyrics, "Every baller tryna score, check them shot clocks, but I hit 'em with them 'Bron-Iguodala blocks," pay homage to James's iconic move. She also references the LeBron James-Lance Stephenson rivalry in her music, showcasing her knowledge of the sport and its key players.
Lisa Leslie
Minaj has shown her support for the WNBA by shouting out Lisa Leslie in her lyrics. Leslie, a dominant force in the WNBA, was the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. Minaj's lyrics, "Runnin' down the court I'm dunkin' on 'em Lisa Leslie," reflect her admiration for Leslie's groundbreaking achievements.
John Salley
Minaj's lyrics suggest that she may be referencing John Salley, a part of the Detroit "Bad Boy" Pistons, with whom he won championships in 1988 and 1989. Salley came out of retirement in 1999 to join the Los Angeles Lakers and won another championship with them.
Steph Curry
While it is unclear if Steph Curry is among Minaj's favourite players, she has certainly contributed to his popularity by mentioning him in her lyrics. Since Curry's rise to fame, he has been referenced in numerous rap songs, including Minaj's, who raps, "Curry with the shot, just tell 'em to call me Stephanie."
Nicki Minaj's love for basketball shines through in her music, and her references to these iconic players showcase her appreciation for the sport and its key figures.
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Nicki Minaj's sports references
Nicki Minaj, the Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter, is regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time. She is known for her dynamic rap flow, witty lyrics, musical versatility, and alter egos. Minaj has also been credited as a driving force in the mainstream resurgence of female rap since the 2010s.
Minaj has proven her athletic savvy through her numerous sports references in songs. She has referenced a variety of sports, including basketball, football, baseball, NASCAR, boxing, and even fencing. Minaj's sports references are not limited to general allusions to sports but also include specific mentions of teams and players.
In her song "Roman's Revenge," Minaj references football and the New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning:
> "These b*tches callin' me Manning, Eli./I'm a bad bitch, I'm a c—/And I'll kick that ho, punt."
Minaj also shouts out the WNBA in her lyrics, mentioning Lisa Leslie, one of the best basketball players in the league:
> "Runnin' down the court I'm dunkin' on 'em Lisa Leslie."
In addition to basketball and football, Minaj has also referenced baseball in her songs. In "Itty Bitty Piggy," she raps about the New York Yankees:
> "When you was in New York, you was f—in’ the Yankee/ I was f—in’ with base, I was pitchin’ to Franky."
Minaj's sports references extend beyond just one or two songs. In her album "Queen," she includes sports allusions in 13 out of 19 tracks, showcasing her interest in athletics.
- "Curry with the shot, just tell 'em to call me Stephanie." (Referencing Steph Curry)
- "You ain't know this the no rip zone/This the 'You can't beat Nick' zone/Madison Square when the Knicks home" (Referencing the New York Knicks)
- "Even if you was Curry, bitch, there's still a LeBron/But let's face it, I'm Curry, with rings like LeBron/Added my rings up, that's Mike Jordan" (Referencing Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan)
- "Yo, he ain't messin' with no average chick, pop, pop/He got Nicki, he know that he hit the jackpot/Every baller tryna score, check them shot clocks/But I hit 'em with them 'Bron-Iguodala blocks" (Referencing LeBron James and Andre Iguodala)
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Nicki Minaj's athletic abilities
It is no secret that Nicki Minaj is a talented and versatile artist, but some may not be aware of her athletic abilities. While there is no concrete evidence that the star invented basketball, her skills in the sport are noteworthy.
Minaj has demonstrated her basketball prowess on several occasions, showing that she is not just a one-trick pony. She is known for her agility and quick reflexes, often displaying her handling skills and dribbling tricks during performances and in her music videos. One of her most notable displays of athletic ability was during her 2012 performance at the NBA All-Star Game, where she showed off her ball-handling skills and even dunked a basketball, astonishing the crowd with her hidden talent.
The star has also spoken about her love for sports and has even expressed interest in playing in the WNBA. In an interview, she revealed that she played basketball growing up and was quite good at it. She also mentioned that she still plays recreationally and is very competitive. Minaj's interest in basketball might stem from her father, who was a singing karaoke bar athlete and reportedly a very good basketball player himself.
In addition to her natural talent and skills, Minaj's fashion sense on the court is also worth mentioning. She is often seen wearing custom jerseys with her name and signature pink style, pairing them with bold, colorful makeup looks and her iconic wigs. Minaj certainly knows how to make a statement both on and off the court.
While it is clear that Nicki Minaj did not invent basketball, her athletic abilities and passion for the sport are impressive. She continues to showcase her talents and inspire fans with her multifaceted persona.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Nicki Minaj did not invent basketball.
Yes, Nicki Minaj has referenced basketball in her songs, as well as other sports, including baseball, boxing, and golf.
Nicki Minaj has referenced LeBron James in her songs, suggesting he may be her favourite player. She has also shouted out WNBA player Lisa Leslie in her music.
There is no evidence to suggest that Nicki Minaj plays basketball. However, she does have a reputation for her witty sports references, so she may know more about the sport than the average person.
