College, High School, NBA, Playground / Oct 10, 2008 / 12:37 pm

My Top Five Hoop Warm-Up Tracks

Back in high school, there was nothing more competitive on my squad than who was going to make the mixtape for warm-ups. We would have several guys do ’em up and then we’d listen to them as a whole team and vote.

For many ballplayers, this 20-minute period gets them ready for the game. For others, it got you to break a sweat and get some run on the hardwood before you road the pine all game.

There are two distinct styles of mixtape. You can either go the road of “pump you up” or “psych them out.” One of the rural schools in Northern Vermont employed the latter technique with their country-inspired song selection. I was missing lay-ups all warm-ups while trying to run a 3-on-2 drill to “Cotton Eyed Joe.”

My Top Five:

“Da Rockwilder” by Method Man & Redman
“Bring ’Em Out” by T.I.
“Hit ’Em High” by Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, Method Man & B Real
“Ante Up” by M.O.P.
“Concrete Schoolyard” by Jurassic 5

What is your mixtape going to consist of this season?

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99 Responses to “My Top Five Hoop Warm-Up Tracks”

  1. weezy f says:

    definately the new ti cd…especially that every chance i get track and whats up whats happenin

  2. Ian says:

    does it have to be rap?

  3. dat dood says:

    haha… i came out to da rockwilder in high school. I’m from the bay though, so most games i played we warmed up to hyphy ass tracks.

  4. Tyrone says:

    These tunes are for shit – lameass “rap” made by “gangstas” ain’t music. You ain’t rockin’ until you’re listenin’ to rhymes by Jay Z or 50 cent.

  5. Tyrone says:

    These tunes are for shit – lameass “rap” made by “gangstas” ain’t music. You ain’t rockin’ until you’re listenin’ to rhymes by Jay Z or 50 cent.

    True thugs never lie.
    Tyrone

  6. Big Shot BOB says:

    Anybody been catching that 100 greatest Hip-Hop songs on VH1? I thought alot of those songs were out of order. I mean how do you have ludacris coming before Dougie Fresh or Run DMC?

  7. rob stewart says:

    I know I’m gonna get clowned for this one but I used to listen to slow cuts before games and my teammates clowned me then as well. Here it goes.
    Tony Tony Toni “Have you ever loved someone”
    Ralph Tresvant “Sensitivity”
    H-Town “Emotions”
    Jodeci “Freakin You”
    702 “Get it together”
    I’m very aware of how strange this list is but slow music always calmed me down to focus on the game.

  8. MSkittle says:

    “Thug Muzik” by Mobb Deep is a classic

  9. Kudabeen says:

    LL Cool J – “Shut Em’ Down” off the Every Given Sunday soundtrack…A Defender/Attackers anthem

  10. Big Shot BOB says:

    Rob Stew used to probably walk around with a boner the whole game thinking about freakin someone? You on some straight Dennis Rodman shit dog!!!

  11. Kudabeen says:

    Slow Jams Rob? You have a George Gervin or Black Jesus type game?

  12. Three Stacks says:

    LOL @ tyrone, he likes 50 cent!

    @ BOB, what does VH1 know about hip-hop?

    Ante Up is a great hype song. If it’s a hip-hop track, I’d have to go with “Dominant Species” by Immortal Technique. Cause that shit gets me mad. Lately I’ve been using “Put On” by Jeezy and Kanye.

    If not hip-hop, “Stinkfist” by Tool or “Idioteque” by Radiohead. Shit gets you pumped.

  13. srb says:

    Metallica – King Nothing
    Godsmack – Bad Religion

    are my top 2 songs to pump me up. the rest would probably also be metallica.

  14. hahns says:

    the refused – new noise

  15. isotope says:

    Alive by POD
    Here i come by The Roots
    1 Mic by Nas
    Kick Push by Lupe

  16. Aron says:

    @Ian
    Doesn’t have to be rap – can be anything.

    @isotope
    I like your style, but I can’t image ballin’ to One Mic?!

  17. JDig89 says:

    Eye of the Tiger. My high school team came out to Drop Kick Murphys, though. Rick Ross Push it to the Limit was good shit. Same with that Lil Jon song with the beat to Crazy Train. what was it called again, Let’s Go? Idk but that was hot.

  18. dagwaller says:

    If you’re talking hip hop, I have to throw “Feel the Rush” by Talib Kweli.

  19. yoda says:

    rammstein-du hast
    karl orf, carmina burana-o fortuna (opera but still…)
    ice cube&paul oakenfold-right here, right now
    skindred-no body
    sepultura-ratamahhata

  20. Jim says:

    It was Pac for me, no doubt. “Hypnotize” was my main track though, when I was of age. But I have to say good look from Three Stacks, “Idioteque” would be my current choice and has to be the all-time non-hip-hop track for aggression for smart people.

  21. Tom Toronto says:

    Ante Up is a solid choice. One track that always gets me hype is The Champ by Ghostface on the Fishscale album. If we’re talking Jay-Z, U Don’t Know is always big, can’t really go wrong with Just Blaze tracks.

  22. JOB33 says:

    LL Cool J- Can’t hold me

  23. JOB33 says:

    i think that’s the name

  24. JOB33 says:

    R. Kelly – I believe
    Nottttttttt really

  25. Prof. TX says:

    Rammstein – Du Hast
    Rob Zombie – Superbeast
    Metallica – Fuel
    Union Underground – Across the Nation

    …yep, I’m white

  26. Chaos says:

    as a defender/rebounder/slasher i go with the more upbeat, buss ya shit open songs

    Karmina Burana (opera but that shit will get you goin)
    Shut’em down – LL Cool J
    Ante Up -MOP
    Stomp – Young Buck
    Cant be stopped – Roy Jones

  27. mike says:

    Organized Rhyme – Check the O.R.

    that was on our tape all 4 years

  28. sans says:

    “9-5ers Anthem” Aesop Rock–Wake up in the morning stumble to the kitchen/ Pour myself a cup of ambition/ And I yawn and stretch and my life is a mess and if I never make home today/ well God bless

    “Triumph” Wu Tang
    Spaceship–Kanye
    “Get Up Get out and Get something”–Outkast, Mobb Deep
    “Swan Lake” Blackalicious.

    Swan Lake is the best end of a workout, ready to get serious song.

  29. rootsradical says:

    1. Skillz – Gangstarr ( i had this track a good year before the album dropped so playing this as the first song of every warm up was huge.)

    2. Drop A Gem On ‘Em – Mobb Deep

    3. Full Clip – Gangstarr ( i guess Preemo just does it for me.)

    4. No Need For Alarm – Del The Funky Homosapien

    5. Respect Mine – Mathematics feat Method Man and Raekwon.

  30. mike says:

    but we would come out of the locker room tunnel to this one

    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ti0iywitGM0

  31. Sam I Am says:

    Kenny G

    or maybe the Titanic Theme by Celine Dion

  32. Michorizo says:

    NWA – She Swallowed It

  33. Kudabeen says:

    @JOB33

    LL Cool J – Shut Em Down…

  34. PJ 310 says:

    I read somewhere that its good to listen to jazz before a game because it relaxes you

  35. JOB33 says:

    Gotcha Kuda..appreciate it
    I’d have to go with
    LL Cool J: Shut Em Down
    Nas-One Mic
    Kanye West- Jesus Walks
    DMX- Up in Here
    Red and Meth-Da Rockwilder
    Bonus track: Nappy Roots-Aw Naw

    @ Prof Tx I’m white too, and I love rock. But I need the jams to get pumped for a game.

  36. Scottie says:

    Time for some action-Redman

    Jump around/On point-House of pain

    Locked up tonight-Eminem

    Bring tha Rukus-Wu-Tang

    Quad City djs-Hoop in ya face

    I really mean it-Dipset

    Ugly-Bubba Sparx

    Bow down-Westside Conection

    Going back to Cali-Biggie

    Grimey-NORE

    Poison-Bel Biv Devoe

    Next episode-Dre

    Alotta 2 Unlimited to get that blood pumpin

    Peace
    Scottie

  37. RENO says:

    Any 5 Tracks off of Reasonable Doubt.

  38. fallinup says:

    None of you busters can top this…the greatest song ever..I dare you to check it out…

    I DARE YOU!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P0cXvI–AE

  39. fallinup says:

    And no, it’s not a rickroll. haha

  40. Zach says:

    6 DEEP CREEPIN – DIRTY
    THE WAY I AM – EMINEM
    HIT EM UP – TUPAC
    BREAK STUFF – LIMP BIZKIT (EVEN THOUGH I CAN’T STAND ANY OTHER SONG BY THEM)
    WANNA BE A BALLER – LIL TROY

    AND WAY BACK IN THE DAY I USED TO RAP THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR THEME IN MY HEAD WARMIN UP ON THE PLAYGROUND

  41. RENO says:

    Takeover – Jay-Z
    Hail Mary – Pac
    C.R.E.A.M. – Wu-Tang
    Shook Ones – Mobb Deep
    Champions – Rocafella Crew

    Guaranteed to get your mind right for GAMETIME!!!

  42. goonther says:

    back in the day i was on my local CYO (catholic youth organization)team and i almost got dropped from the team for having “running with the devil” by van halen on my warm-up mix ….

    F’in hilarious to see ppls faces though

  43. Aron says:

    I like it! Who’s making a mix and sending it to me?

  44. HBooyah says:

    “Mama Said Knock you Out”

  45. JarrJohnson says:

    “I was missing lay-ups all warm-ups while trying to run a 3-on-2 drill to “Cotton Eyed Joe.”

    LMAO!!!!

    The visual is classic!

    Pressure – Lupe Fiasco ft. Jay-Z
    I Shine – Skyzoo
    Shook ones – Mobb Deep
    Pain – Tupac

  46. Mac 22 says:

    I’m from the south…I would listen to
    UGK-Pocket Full of Stones
    DJ Screw
    Pac – Hail Mary

  47. fallinup says:

    - Boot Skoot Boogie.
    - Any Jonas Bros. track.
    - The theme to Hawaii 5-O
    - Macarena
    - Baby Dick Fuck by Gwar

  48. Wilez says:

    T.I – I’m Illy
    Freeway – Line em up
    Jigga – Dont u know
    MOP – Ante Up
    2 Pac – Cant See Me

  49. the antoine says:

    hit em high.. oh man that takes me back.. ll cool j’s first line is viscious.. lightning strikes, the court lights get dim, supreme competition is about to begin..

  50. askkk 'bout it says:

    Danger Mouse — Ghetto Pop Life

  51. Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:

    “Forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame and put’s your name to shame cover up your face you can’t run the race the pace is too fast you just won’t last”

    Linkin Park–

  52. dapro says:

    This is crazy but tru story family

    We had a big game to get the #1 spot in the city (Alternative HS League, Chi-town) and everybody was nervous than mofo

    I just broke out singing the “Thong Song” during warmups before I put one down (lightly or you get t’d up) and everybody started singing and laughing,

    12 damn near grown hoopers singing the “Thong Song” before a game

    This was 2000

  53. wizard says:

    everyone here posted a some of the songs that i would put on my pre game mixtape..but one song that always gets to me, and gets me hype..and surprsingly no one mentioned..i guess ball players turned soft these days..but it has to be for the one and only my main man biggie-DEAD WRONG
    cant go wrong

  54. QuEsT??? says:

    whats my name-dmx
    Voy Subiendo-Hector el father
    Los Mate-Tego Calderon
    Anything that has DMX
    Anything that has lil jon

  55. David Brandon says:

    i wasnt gonna put one up, but you guys twisted my arm….

    1) nas – you’re da man
    2) jeezy – the realest
    3) biggie – dead wrong
    4) jay – la la la
    5) game – house of pain

    honorable mention goes to little brother’s “extra hard”

  56. David Brandon says:

    and there’s Always the classic T.R.O.Y.!!

  57. GEE...You kids need to learn mafmatics says:

    DB what up.

    It’s better for me to go in with something live.

    It always changes but currently.

    1. “I get money remix” 50 cent ft. P. Diddy and Jay-z
    2. “Jay vs. Joe Budden” Jay Z and Joe Budden
    3. “Boon Dock” RBK Commercial freestyle
    4. “Undisputed” Ludacris ft. Floyd “Money” Mayweather
    5. “Wish you would” Ludacris ft. T.I.

  58. THA NEXT HIGHFLIYA!!! says:

    I get money
    Remember the name
    California love
    Swag like us(my favorite song ever)
    Realest N***gas

  59. Ashlov says:

    W0rd.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OH0wlkfbc

  60. bahama boi says:

    WDF!!!!! NOBODY has DOWN 4 my niggas( fuck dem udda niggas) by C MURDER!!!!!!!!!! DATS THE HYPEST SHIT EVER TO GET PREPARED FOR A GAME!!!! its makes ya want to eat themm udda niggas breakfast , lunch, dinner, dessert, snack time, EVERYTHING!!! just strate up kill the opponent

  61. Austin Burton says:

    HIP-HOP TRACKS
    1. What Happened To That Boy? – Birdman/Clipse
    2. Crunk Muzik – Dipset
    3. Make It Rain – Fat Joe
    4. Say What You Say – Eminem
    5. One Blood – The Game
    6. Second Coming – Juelz Santana
    7. Nolia Clap – UTP
    8. Notorious Thugs – Biggie
    9. Get Silly (remix) – V.I.C.
    10. Wipe Me Down – Boosie/Webbie

    ENTIRE ALBUMS
    1. The Chronic – Dr. Dre
    2. Ready to Die – Biggie
    3. Doggystyle – Snoop Dogg
    4. The Documentary – The Game
    5. Anything by Ice Cube

    * There’s also some WWE entrance themes that work for me.

  62. Eric says:

    Let’s Go -Trick Daddy
    Welcome 2 Detroit- Trick Trick
    You Don’t Know- Eminem
    Poor Lil Rich- 50 cent
    Thug Section- Plies
    Everybody Get Up- Pitbull feat. Pretty Ricky
    What You Know- T.I.
    Holla At Me- Dj Khaled
    Pass the Drank- Keak Da Sneak
    Bobbin My Head- Blak Jak
    Let’s Get Wild- Mr. Sche
    Rollin 25 deep- Dj Kay Slay
    Put On- Young Jeezy
    Stronger Remix- A-Trak

    i find these songs to all be great warm-up songs

  63. fallinup says:

    Hip Hop – Dead Prez

    Thats all I need.

  64. Joe says:

    AC/DC – Thunderstruck

  65. Aron says:

    @JarrJohnson
    Shook Ones is a great call

    @David Brandon
    Glad you gave in. That Top 5 is nice!

    @askkk ’bout it
    Danger Mouse is Top 3 producers in the game

    @fallinup
    Great beat and bassline to rock to

  66. WillyBeez says:

    Back in h.s. when i played ball i was in charge of our warmup music, i had to find all the radio edits being that my coach was mormon hahah. we ran out to two tracks:

    Canibus – 2nd Rd Knockout
    Eminem – Just Dont Give A F$%k

  67. quest??? says:

    Anything with dmx will get u hyper ugonna feel like busting a cap on someone

  68. smity far away says:

    I’m still rockin wit Onyx (up until Shut em down)

    Good call on M.O.P’s ante up. It’s one of the all time “get hyped” songs

    Jeezy- Let’s Get it/sky’s the limit

    Freeway- It’s Ova

    Elzhi and Black Milk- Fire (or even the remix on El’s album)

  69. smity far away says:

    da rockwilder and hit em high are good calls too. Blackout was full of bangers (and had everybody thirstin for another album by those two. matter fact, i’m still a fan and i’m still waitin (especially after seeing there’s still hope with Meth judging by his last album. Never have to worry about Red still being able to bring it)

  70. kw says:

    wyle out- enough said

  71. kw says:

    the champ is here

  72. quest??? says:

    oh I forgot. Fatal by the rza

  73. Mike says:

    1. “Shook Ones” Mobb Deep
    2. “Put You On The Game” Lupe Fiasco
    3. “D-Block / Dipset” Sheek Louch / Jim Jones
    4. “World War 3″ Clue / Snoop / Kiss / Young Wun / Scarface
    5. “He Got Game” Public Enemy

  74. asmaticasiatic says:

    High school mixtapes reminded me of situations back in the day when I was ballin prep, eons ago (92-96) I grew up in a rural hick town of 3,000 and my grade kind of put hip hop on the map there. We tryed to put on a pregame mixtape with das efx, lords of the under ground “chief rocka”, Eric B/Rakim paid in full, Naughty by nature, and public enemy but it got switched shortly after to the likes of twisted sister, AC/DC and Guns n roses; just a horrible town and basketball environment….

  75. David Brandon says:

    @aron,
    man, you have some good posts…

    @ my man GEE!!! whats up family!! hey man, i tried to hit you up on the link and it was a no go. it sent me somewhere crazy. crazy like, i had to pay to write you. made no sense kid….lol!

    @austin
    why you gotta change the rules?? you put up hellllla songs! hahah an then flipped it up to albums? lol he’s just gonna do him…

  76. Austin Burton says:

    @David Brandon — My list of songs could have gone 40 deep. It was hard cutting it down to 10.

    @Mike — Great call on “World War 3.” I think I’m gonna go download that right now.

  77. David Brandon says:

    @austin,
    hahaha yeah, i had to keep mine down to what aron asked… i guess not all of us get down like that tho. =P lol since you gave the motivation, i might have to list my top 5 fav albums right now then too!

  78. weezy f says:

    i like to listen to rnb tracks before games they calm me down and allow me to slow the game down and desnt get me too pumped to where i make mistakes by trying to go fast

  79. lil milk bottle says:

    meth and red- how high
    Cypress Hill- how i could just kill a man
    MIA- Boyz
    DJ KOOL- let me clear my throat
    NWA- Straight Outta Compton

    BONUS song for shits- a-team theme! what the fuck!

  80. iain. says:

    Pac – Hit em up (Dumpin’ remix)

    Check that shit out im bout to hit the park now its pumping me up as we speak.

    Back in the spring my team got to our County (State) playoff finals, big crowd watching, layup lines going, some nice tunes getting my mind right.. then all of a sudden “Sexual Eruption” by Snoop started bumping out. I still dont know to this day who was in charge of that music but it was mad funny my whole team just bust out laughing. and we got the W.

  81. NC says:

    Many Men – 50 Cent
    Till I Collapse – Eminem
    Through the Fire – Pete Miser
    Born to Win – Pappoose
    Where it Started at – Hi-Tek

  82. webbie352 says:

    hahha we would come out to bring em out every single game.

  83. 2 Easy says:

    Lets Go – Trick Daddy lil Jon & Twista. That song gets me so hype I cant… I dont even know. That whole Crunk era of tunes, Lil Scrappy. If u want focus than get my some Jigga man and for a mix theres certain Eminem

  84. 2 Easy says:

    O I forgot many of the classics by T.I.P

  85. Aron says:

    @Mike
    “He Got Game” is a classic and definitely on our mix one year

    @lil milk bottle
    MIA is my jam, and if I had to make a mix right now she would definitely grace it

    @webbie352
    That’s how we do!

  86. vago says:

    mos def – ms fat booty
    dilated peoples – worst comes to worst
    gangstarr – rite where u stand
    pharaohe monch – my life
    talib kweli – get by

    bonus: blackstarr – respiration

    true music

  87. karan says:

    ya, hit em high is definately one of my warm up songs too

  88. flegman says:

    faithless – Salva Mea
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7cY0YT3G8A

  89. CT says:

    50 Cent – Hustler’s Ambition
    2Pac – Holla At Me
    Nas – Hate Me Now
    Termanology – Watch How It Go Down
    Styles P & Pharoahe Monch – My Life

  90. Bryce says:

    i love listenin to dmx, jay z blueprint album, definitley some g’d up T.I, they just get me crunk and ready to play lol…. thats just me of course, i also like some chamillionaire, mixtape stuff hes got is pretty hot… also u gotta play cant be touched by roy jones jr. not a fan of him rappin, but the beat is hot

  91. THA NEXT HIGHFLIYA!!! says:

    What about go to sleep by eminem

  92. Russ says:

    best tape i remember started with ice cube- check yo’ self….we always timed it so the beat dropped soon as we hit the court. Also had Das Efx – the want efx on it. i think it might have had some diagble planets on there too…years ago. wow. good topic. brings back memories. have ot be creative when you go to a catholic school.

  93. Russ says:

    oh yeah forgot about run dmc- down with the king

  94. ya boy says:

    Jay-Z/Bog boi/killer mike=popping tags
    Nirvana=Smells like a teen spirit
    50 cent=Movin’ on up
    Busta Rhymes=Call the ambulance
    Purple ribbon allstars=Kryptonite
    scarface+hov+beans=guess who’s back

    Honorable mention
    swagger like us
    neva change by mobb deep
    trae -swang
    slim thug-like a boss
    superthug-Nore

  95. jake says:

    hit em up by lil wayne
    hate me now by nas
    its tricky by run dmc. haha
    stuntin like my daddy lil wayne
    put on remix by ti
    every chance i get by ti

  96. Sean says:

    lol I live in Vermont and even though we dont use country (we’re normal) I have played in gyms where they listen to country as thier warmup.
    instrumental for blueprint2 by jay-Z
    candyman by cornershop
    Guns and Roses by Jay-Z & Lenny Kravitz
    Chonkyfire by Outkast
    Slow Down by Kymani Marley ft.Afu-Ra
    I wish I could find some AOTP thats edited, but I dont think there is any.

  97. kingyoung says:

    ANTE UP is a DEFINITE play. that song is so hype
    MOP raps that shit angry as hell

    i heard this remix at dominguez wher they sampled Jay-Z
    “check out my swag yo, i walk like a ball player” and it repeated w/ some bass lines and it hyped me up like no other song

    if any1 knows the name of that remix email me!

    its important

    kngyoung14@yahoo.com

    TOP 5
    Jay Z Public Service Announcement
    Lupe – Emperors Soundtrack
    50 – Get up
    Kanye – Touch the Sky
    Eminem – Renegade

  98. kingyoung says:

    gotta add 2 more
    Lupe Fiasco – Marty Mcly
    Lupe – The Champ is Here

    if those songs dont pump u up ur a zombie

  99. kingyoung says:

    Marty McFLY**

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