18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports | Playlist 🎧

18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports features sporting songs courtesy of 2 Chainz, Ella Mai, Katy Perry, The Killers, and Pusha T among others.

Occasionally, one composes and compiles a playlist that they enjoy so freaking much that they want to relive the experience again in some capacity.  Yeah, that’s sort of the deal with the conception of 18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports. As a music enthusiast and avid sport fan, finding a way to intersect both loves is a total blast. Hey, I did it twice before – 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017 and 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness. Now, borrowing some songs from both lists, with the addition of some newer songs and other songs missed ‘here and there,’ we have 18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports.

This 18-song list celebrates athletes, specific sports, and sporting events.  With the exception of two oldies (looking at you Cheech and Chong and Elton John), 18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports features music exclusively from the 2010s. Musicians fueling the fire of this sporting playlist include 2 Chainz (“Forgiven” and “NCAA”), Ella Mai (“Shot Clock”), Katy Perry (“Swish Swish”), The Killers (“Tyson vs. Douglas”), and Pusha T (“F.I.F.A.”) among others.  Without further ado, here are 18 Songs That Encompass Various Sports!

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1-2. 2 Chainz, “Forgiven” & “NCAA”

Rap or Go to the League • Def Jam • 2019

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“And we’ll introduce you to the starting lineup… Coached by James Gwynn, his starters, number 21, Tauheed Epps…” Incorporating the basketball concept from the jump, “Forgiven” respectably commences his fifth studio album, Rap or Go to the League.  Here, 2 Chainz enlists the ever-expressive, soulful vocals of Marsha Ambrosius on the ‘forgiving’ chorus.  2 Chainz turns out a reflective, thoughtful performance, discussing his past, mistakes, the costly mistakes of others, violence, and emphasizing the power of prayer, forgiveness, and redemption.  

Later on the track list, “NCAA” appears, keeping the basketball concept of Rap or Go to the League afloat.  That said, it’s mostly the “ballin’ hard” that occurs on the chorus, with a select few moments during the verses.  Still, give 2 Chainz credit for referencing the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The absolutely filthy “I’m playin’ with the clit like a guitar” definitely doesn’t involve a basketball the last time I checked.

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3. Ella Mai, “Shot Clock”

Ella Mai • 10 Summers / Interscope • 2018

Sport: Basketball 🏀

When a young, promising artist like British singer Ella Mai comes around, there’s definitely hope for R&B, a genre that has cooled off tremendously over the years. On her self-titled debut album, Mai shines like a beacon, including the record at hand, “Shot Clock.” On “Shot Clock,” Mai does wonders with a basketball reference, not to mention awesome production by DJ Mustard.

Notably, “Shot Clock” samples the Drake song, “Legend” (from If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late). The pre-chorus is superb:

“When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don’t you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that?
I’m just saying, boy, you’re playing, you’re gon’ let it wind down
You got 24 seconds and it’s starting right now.”

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4. Rae Sremmurd, “Buckets” (Ft. Future)

SR3MM • Interscope • 2018

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“Buckets,” featuring Future, is a surefire winner from the first disc of the Rae Sremmurd triple album, SR3MM, released in 2018. This is a hard-nosed, minimalist unapologetic banger that best suits the personality of Slim Jxmmi.  The hook is dumb and explicit, yet utterly infectious.

“Fuck it, ball

Fuck it, I’m ballin’”

Future does ‘Future things,’ while a less mellow, ‘un-pitched’ Swae Lee is impressive as well.  Arguably, he delivers one of the best lyrics: “Ball like Porzingis, and your foot was on the line (you blew it).”

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5. The Killers, “Tyson vs. Douglas”

Wonderful Wonderful • Island • 2017

Sport: Boxing 🥊

Las Vegas band The Killers are among the crème de la crème in regard to sports-related songs with “Tyson vs. Douglas.” “Tyson vs. Douglas” is an incredibly clever record from Wonderful Wonderful (2017), using a famous boxing match to fuel its fire.  The match is explicitly mentioned on the irresistible chorus.

“When I saw him go down
Felt like somebody lied
I had to hold my breath ‘til the coast was clear
When I saw him go down
Felt like somebody lied
I had to close my eyes just to stop the tears.”

The verses focus on a bigger picture, more personal and pertinent to Flowers.  The bridge specifically sheds light on Flowers’ feels:

“Lookin’ out the window out on the street
My boy and his mother
And I think of me
Feelin’ the slip again
Don’t wanna fall
You said it was nothing, but maybe you’re wrong.”

“Tyson vs. Douglas” originally appeared on the playlist, 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017.

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6. Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”

Diamonds [via Captain Fantastic] • Island • 2017 [1975]

Sport: Tennis 🏓

“Because I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom / From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag.” Pennsylvania itself doesn’t have much of ring to it in regard to being the title of a song.  Hence, there aren’t many songs written explicitly about the state using its lengthy name as a title. However, Elton John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin knew that “Philadelphia Freedom” had a ring to it, or at least, superb songwriting, singing, and most of all, the makings of a hit.

The song is a tribute to Billie Jean King, a renowned tennis player who played on the Philadelphia Freedoms.  King, like John, is a member of the LGBTQ 🌈 community. “Philadelphia Freedom” originally appeared on the playlist, 50 Songs About the 50 States, representing the fine state of Pennsylvania.

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7. Katy Perry, “Swish Swish” (Ft. Nicki Minaj)

Witness • Capitol • 2017

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“Swish, swish, bish / Another one in the basket / Can’t touch this / Another one in the casket.” Katy Perry got in on the basketball action with “Swish Swish”, arguably, the best song from her so-so Witness album.  Despite a fun music video that centers on an outrageous basketball game, most have deemed “Swish Swish” a diss track geared towards rival Taylor Swift.

“You’re calculated
I got your number
‘Cause you’re a joker
And I’m a court-side killer queen
And you will kiss the ring
You best believe.”

Nicki Minaj makes her appearance on the third verse, rapping:

“Swish swish, aww I got them upset
But my shooters’ll make ‘em dance like dubstep
Swish, swish, aww, my haters is obsessed
‘Cause I make M’s, they get much less.”

“Swish Swish” has appeared previously on 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness  and 14 Songs Referencing ‘Shooters’ in Various Contexts playlists.

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8. Wale, “Running Back” (Ft. Lil Wayne)

Shine • Atlantic • 2017

Sport: Football 🏈

Wale didn’t play a great game in 2017 – UNDERSTATEMENT.  Shine was one of the year’s flops.  However, the album had its moments, including a nod to football on “Running Back,” featuring Lil Wayne.  While “Running Back” is atypical of what we normally hear from ‘Folarin,’ it’s slick AF and ends up working out well.  Essentially, this standout is a hard-hitting, flex-fest for both rappers.

Wale is on autopilot, using football-speak to his advantage:

“Bitches want money stacks, I just want my percent
She told me to hit the hole, I used to play running back
You niggas be fumbling, don’t give ‘em no gun again
These bitches be flying out, yeah, ‘cause money be coming in.”

The part about hit the hole is just what you think it is.  “Running Back” originally appeared on the playlist, 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017.

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9. Mansionz, “Dennis Rodman” (Ft. Dennis Rodman)

Mansionz • Interscope • 2017

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“…I’ma talk about myself / Because a lot of people don’t wanna talk about Dennis Rodman anymore because they think he’s a has been / … ‘I don’t give a fuck, man, I’m go do Dennis Rodman / Let’s say it again, Dennis fucking Rodman.” Okay then… Unfortunately, the blackbear and Mike Posner collaboration mansionz didn’t get the attention (or commercial sales) it deserved.  Nonetheless, the album has a number of intriguing moments, including “Dennis Rodman.” Appropriately, the song features Dennis Rodman on the outro (aforementioned).

“Dennis Rodman” embodies spirit of the flamboyant former NBA star.  The bigger picture is that it embraces free-spiritedness.  The final verse offers a perfect moment of this free-spiritedness:

“Yeah, I’ma wear a dress if I want to
Green hair, fishnets if I want to
Smoke, drink, do drugs if I want to
I ain’t really trying to impress you
I’ma be as bad as I wanna be
You can be as mad as you wanna be.”

“Dennis Rodman” has appeared on a couple of sports-driven playlists, including 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017 and 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness.

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10. Weezer, “QB Blitz”

Pacific Daydream • Atlantic • 2017

Sport: Football 🏈

“All of my conversations die a painful death you see / I can’t get anyone to do algebra with me…” Summer Bummer, right? Anyways, alternative rock collective Weezer isn’t the first band to write or perform a song associated with sports.  However, on their 2017 album Pacific Daydream, Rivers Cuomo schools us about football on “QB Blitz.” Well, maybe ‘schools’ is an overstatement.

In the context of the album, “QB Blitz” continues to feature solid production work.  The lyrics are ‘emo’ to the nth degree… yeah, this isn’t really about football!  The chorus is catchy, if incredibly corny:

“This intercom is broken into pieces
I gotta call my QB Blitz, blitz
Out on the ice fields of Hoth
I’ll be
I’ll be missing you like oxygen…”

“QB Blitz” originally appeared on the playlist, 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017.

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11. Bleachers, “Dream of Mickey Mantle”

Gone Now • RCA • 2017

Sport: Baseball ⚾

On “Dream of Mickey Mantle,” the opening song from Bleachers’ sophomore album Gone Now, Jack Antonoff references Mickey Mantle. During the chorus, the death of the legendary baseball player is mentioned, rather implied.

“Rolling thunder had cursed my bedroom
Heard from your mother, she don’t recognize you
Now Mickey Mantle left on a Sunday
And all the neighborhood rushes home to play.”

“Dream of Mickey Mantle” is also interesting in a number of other regards.  Antonoff cites two additional songs from Gone Now in a particular lyric – “I Miss Those Days” and “Don’t Take the Money”.  He sings, “I miss those days, so I sing a don’t take the money song.” If nothing else, it kicks off the effort with an alternative bang. “Dream of Mickey Mantle” originally appeared on the playlist, 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017.

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12. Andy Mineo & Wordpslayed, “Dunk Contest (Magic Bird)”

Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed Present Magic & Bird • Reach • 2017

Sport: Basketball 🏀

When Christian rappers come together, you don’t expect the concept or topic of choice to be basketball.  In the case of Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed, basketball fuels the fire throughout their mixtape, Magic & Bird.

“Yeah, this that, this that, this that Penny with the Shaq
Yeah, if he’s passin’ me the rock, they might not get it back.”

“Dunk Contest (Magic Bird),” the ‘title track’ of sorts, is ‘da bomb.’  The production is superb, while both rappers drop strong rhymes, and an infectious, ballin’ hook.

“I just threw it off the backboard
Game winner, I’m the one they ask for
Magic Bird, Magic Bird, Magic Bird…”

“Dunk Contest (Magic Bird)” has appeared on a couple of sports-driven playlists, including 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017 and 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness.

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13. Offset & Metro Boomin, “Ric Flair Drip”

Without Warning • Epic / Motown / Capitol / Republic • 2017

Sport: Wrestling 🤼

Without Warning – that’s exactly how Without Warning, the collaborative album/mixtape between 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin arrived on October 31, 2017. Offset goes solo on the short and sweet “Ric Flair Drip.” Ric Flair is a retired, renowned pro wrestler of course, who recently had a colorful “30 for 30” documentary about him on ESPN. But back to the song, which is more about flexing than wrestling.  That said, Flair plays a role in that swagger as well, at least in regards to his sexually outlandish ways.

Offset offers up a catchy chorus that serves as the crowning achievement of the record.

“Going to the jeweler, bust the AP, yeah
Slide on the water like a jet-ski, yeah
I’m tryna fuck you and your bestie, yeah
Chopper with the scope so do not test me, yeah
Ric Flair drip, go ‘woo’ on a bitch
Fifty-seven ninety, split the coupe on my wrist
Multi-million dollar, I’m a fool with the hits
Hop up in the Lamb and drop the roof, show the tits.”

Even so, he’s slick and chocked-full of game on the verses.  The production, handled by Metro Boomin and Bijan Amir, is smooth and luxurious – in a southern-rap sort of way. “Ric Flair Drip” originally appeared on the playlist, 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017.

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14. Lil Pump, “D Rose”

Lil Pump • Warner Bros. • 2017

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“I just broke my wrist, ‘cause I’m whippin’ in the kitchen / Pass a brick to my mom, and I told her whip it / 4 bands in the kitchen… / I just fucked your bitch / I just broke my wrist.” Wow… that’s about all you can say about that. Teen rapper Lil Pump experienced his fair share of success with his first official project, Lil Pump, released in 2017.

“D Rose,” as in Derrick Rose, is among the songs appearing on the album. “D Rose” is actually less about the pro basketball player than it is about flexing.  Over and over, “D Rose” is repeated, when Lil Pump isn’t rapping, “100 on my wrist, 80 on my wrist.” His cockiness continues at an all-time high as he asserts, “Lil Pump never spendin’ money on a bitch.” Classy to the nth degree… said no one ever. “D Rose” has appeared on a couple of sports-driven playlists, including 10 Sports-Related Songs From 2017 and 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness.

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15. Pusha T, “F.I.F.A”

King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude • Def Jam • 2015

Sport: Soccer ⚽

Pusha T is among of the grittiest and toughest rappers in the game.  Unapologetic to the nth, Pusha T totally ‘keeps it 100’ when it comes to spitting bars.  Throughout his 2015 LP, King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, he flexes, showcasing incredible consistency, yielding another incredible project.  Among the highlights of this brief effort is “F.I.F.A,” which is where sports come into play.   

“F.I.F.A.” marks the third acronymic song on King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude, following “M.F.T.R.” (“More Famous Than Rich”) and “M.P.A.” (“Money, Pussy, Alcohol”).  Notably, “F.I.F.A.” is one of few songs set in a major key.  It references Fédération Internationale de Football Association – soccer stateside. Pusha T references drugs, likening the shadiness of hustling to the corruptness of the organization itself.  Pretty clever.

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16-17. Trey Songz, “Hail Mary” & “Fumble”

Chapter V • Atlantic • 2012

Sport: Football 🏈

“I got that game, I got that game / I caught a play, I caught a play / We going long, we going long… / I got my game face on, come on.” Safe to say, on his 2012 album, Chapter V, Trey Songz enjoys the game of football.  Even safer to say, however, is that Trigga enjoys the pleasure better known as sex. Chapter V gives us two football-referencing songs – “Hail Mary” (excerpted above) and “Fumble.”

“Hail Mary,” the seventh track from Chapter V, features a hardcore sound and a moderate tempo. Jeezy and Lil Wayne assists on the first and third verses respectively.  Songz handles the hook as well as the second verse. Focusing on the lead artist, his focus is his ‘drip’ and of course, sex. On his verse, he asserts that his bae says “The best offense is some good D,” before he asserts himself, “Hey, girl, I heard you like it deep.” Of course, the football references are spread throughout the chorus, not only mentioned a “hail Mary” play, but also huddling up and eschewing punting (“Hey huddle up, huddle up…/ Yeah, I ain’t tryna punt, tryna punt, hail Mary”).

“And it’s not your fault / That I fumbled your heart / Should’ve let go of my past for you…” On another single from Chapter V, “Fumble” (unlucky track number 13), Trey Songz provides listeners with another football reference. Like the “Hail Mary,” he’s successful yet again. The tempo is slow, while his vocal is crystal clear.  Full of nuance and emotion, “Fumble” once more allows the artist to flourish.  Of course, “Fumble” has little to do with football itself, unless ‘her heart’ can be likened to the football Trigga fumbled…

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18. Cheech and Chong, “Basketball Jones”

Los Cochinos • Warner Bros. • 1973

Sport: Basketball 🏀

“Got a Basketball Jones, oh baby, oo-oo-ooo.” Kurtis Blow had a classic with his 1984 record, “Basketball,” which you can totally check out on 13 Basketball Songs to Celebrate March Madness. Preceding that gem, however (and also appearing previously on the aforementioned playlist), is another classic, “Basketball Jones,” courtesy of comedy duo Cheech and Chong. Appearing originally on the 1973 album, Los Cochinos, “Basketball Jones” would be the duo’s biggest, most timeless hit.

A cover, courtesy of Chris Rock and Barry White, appeared on the Space Jam original motion picture soundtrack.

“Yes, I am the victim of a Basketball Jones
Ever since I was a little baby, I always be dribblin’
In fac’, I was de baddest dribbler in the whole neighborhood
Then one day, my mama bought me a basketball
And I loved that basketball
I took that basketball with me everywhere I went
That basketball was like a basketball to me.”

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[Photo Credits: Atlantic, Capitol, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, Island, Motown, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Reach, Republic, Warner Bros.]

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