NBA/Rapper Comparisons: LeBron James and 50 Cent
Basketball and Rap will always be synonymous with one another. It’s no secret that most basketball players want to be rappers and most MCs want to hoop. When I first got to Dime I came up with the idea of comparing the two occupations. Surprisingly, many thought that my comparisons were even more accurate than I initially suspected.
Well, the NBA and the rap game have change a lot since my original observations. I decided to re-do the comparisons. Just so you know, I based my comparisons mostly on the NBA player and rapper’s collection of work as well as what they are doing currently.
LeBron James and 50 Cent.
What do LeBron James and 50 Cent possibly have in common you ask?
Since they both came on the scene both ‘Bron and 50 have been the talk of both their respective professions. LeBron’s high school career was so decorated (2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists) that he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated making him the first high school basketball player to make the cover since Kevin Garnett.
Curtis Jackson came on the scene back in 1999 with his hit “How to Rob.” 50’s single was one of the most talked about songs in hip-hop. 50 didn’t care who he offended on “How to Rob.” It was a huge underground hit in New York City.
Both are no stranger to controversy early in their careers…
LeBron’s road to greatness wasn’t sugar coated. Many have had choice opinions about King James. During LeBron’s senior year of high school his mother, Gloria, purchased him a Hummer H2 for his 18th birthday. Many media outlets assumed the money was given to Gloria in violation of amateur eligibility rules. Along with two throwback jerseys LeBron accepted in exchange for posing in a picture at a local clothing store, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OSHAA) tried to strip James of his eligibility. The penalty would later be reduced to a two-game suspension.
Controversy is 50’s middle name. In 2000 Jackson was shot nine times outside of his grandmother’s house in Queens, NY. After spending thirteen days in the hospital 50 was released. Soon after 50’s highly-publicized beef with Ja Rule created a storm in the hip-hop community. It eventually led to 50 being stabbed in a NYC recording studio. The beef still hasn’t been resolved.
50Lebron and 50 make everyone around them better…
King James is the modern day Magic Johnson. King James knows how to get the most of his teammates. ‘Bron’s court vision is off the charts. If you’re open he’ll find you, and the fact that NO ONE can stop James from getting to the rim creates nothing but open shots for guys on the perimeter.
50 Cent is responsible for launching G-Unit Records and the careers of Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and now adversaries Young Buck and The Game. All the aforementioned artists had albums that went at least gold (everyone but Yayo’s went platinum) and hit singles that all just so happen to feature 50.
LeBron and 50 both have marketed themselves as more than entertainers…
At 23 years old King James has expanded his growing empire way beyond just basketball. LeBron is one of three basketball players to have his own line under the Nike umbrella; He has inked deals with Bubblelicious bubblegum, Sprite, and his own flavor of Powerade (Flava23). He one of the new faces of Vitamin Water and has graced the cover of many national and international publications. Fortune Magazine dubbed King James as the number 3 ranked athlete in regards to endorsements in 2007.
“Ferrari F” 50 isn’t a rapper. He’s a hustler. 50 has slowly been merging into the next crossover superstar similar to Will Smith and LL Cool J. 50 has his own video game (50 Cent: Bulletproof), been in countless movies, most recently Righteous Kill alongside Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, a clothing line (G-Unit Clothing), and not only his own flavor of Vitamin Water (Formula 50) but also was a part owner in the company.
King James and 50 are both imposing forces visually; ‘Bron at 6’8 260 is a truck at the guard/forward position and Curtis Jackson looks like a WWE wrestler. But both are equally imposing in everything they are involved in albeit hoopin’, rapping, acting, or selling Vitamin Water.
This season LeBron is trying to use the momentum from winning his first gold medal in Beijing to win his first NBA Championship and NBA MVP, while 50 is looking to reclaim his spot as rap’s king with the release of his new album Before I Self Destruct. Expect both to make major noise in the upcoming months.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
YOUNGFED says:
FEDRODOMOUS PREDICTS: Kobe and Hova is next. Now Chris you better name the article K-HOVA. (Pretty Please) lol. Hook yo boy up.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Detroit Dave says:
LOL you are really running with this Rapper/Baller comparisons…. How about doing an NFL/NBA comparison…
Like if Ray Lewis was in the NBA, who would he play like..
Randy Moss/ T Mac (Orlando Magic version)
November 10th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Big T says:
We should compare NBA and country singers.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
jimmhumm says:
good job I was thinking that Bron would be jay-z but he’s more like mike. Kobe is like Puffy. He did it big with a Big man like diddy did it with B.I.G. Then when those times passed it was hard but now he’s still on top with a new cast of role players. Kind of like how diddy is selling records with the band and dandity kane/day 6. Just pieces working together in the system with a vet at the helm.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Haqq says:
LOL… Are they both SNITCHES??
G-UNOOOOOTTTTT
(i had to)
November 10th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
loganlight says:
… because Jay-Z was too easy?
November 10th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Christian Grant-Fields says:
@ Logan,
Jay-Z could have worked but 50 is the better comparison.I know ‘Bron and Hov are boys so that would have been too easy!! Lol.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
karizmatic says:
I don’t see it.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
TD says:
This is an insult to Lebron
November 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I still can’t get over the Em and Dirk thing. This is a little better tho.
I was thinking Kanye
November 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Smitty313 says:
Who has Lebron made better besides himself. I bet you Mo Williams game will fall off playing with Lebron.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Notorious says:
So whack, being compared to 50 is an insult to LeBron, 50 is the fakest fool in the game. G-G-G-Gay…
Real question is which is whacker? Dirk/Em or LeBron/50?
Please stop these moronic comparisons, the season is here and games are being played, why bother with this craptastic column?
November 10th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Christian
Jay and Bron doesn’t work because Jay is the best in his game and Bron isn’t thus this was a good comparison because Bron’ and 50 are 2nd best. Good Job here.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
TD says:
50 = 2nd best?
That’s all bad, he couldn’t beat Kanye. Wasn’t he supposed to retire after that? Stop that fed, your better than that.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Big T since when did they start playing country songs at basketball games and how many people do you know that listen to country to get them pumped up for basketball? I have lived in the West, the West Coast, the South, the Deep South, Above the Mason Dixon Line,The East Coast and Spain. Not in any of those places did I ever go to a court and hear some dude listening to country to get pumped up. In Fact even at the game I saw Western Kentucky play vs Southern AL. they were playing hip hop.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
dc says:
are hood dvds included in this “countless movies” total???
November 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I don’t care for these NBA players/rappers comaprison articles but I had to just comment that I agree with all that say this is an insult to Lebron. 50 fell off awhile back and Lebron continues to improve. Their similarities stop at rich and black.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
@notorious well said.
@Fed I know you don’t believe 50 is 2nd best @dime can someone please assist on this column? It could be good if the comparisons were more accurate
November 10th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@Drink the Haterade
I think Big T was making a joke. But I bet Bryant Reeves aka Big Country or Karl Malone both got pumped up by listening to country. In my opinion gospel is one step away from country and many players listen to gospel.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Spliff–
They got some hot Gospel out nowadays. I could send you some links. they got this dude named KJ-52, kinda sounds like EM. Ever heard of POD? they are a Christian Band, and their pretty hard core too. The list goes on and on. Most people think Gospel is like that boring music that they play in churches that make people remember going to their Grandma’s church. Well not anymore. Check it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCMAZsd9Djk
November 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Shakers says:
I’m sticking with Lebron and Jay-Z as better comparisons and 50 Cent compares much better to Vince Carter. Always flashy, but doesn’t always bring it.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
dapro says:
@Shaker
I think u called it fam, 50 was hot and fell off quickly among hip hop fans
Vince was loved by the same fans that backed fif, both gained mainstream popularity but lost the “true fans” of their respective craft
November 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
K.i.n.G. says:
i would compare vince to ll cool j
November 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
rootsradical says:
these should just stop. pathetic. Dime, you’re really not afraid to admit you don’t know anything about hip hop are you?
November 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Dagomar says:
I almost threw up when I read the part comparing 50’s childhood to Lebron’s because Lebron’s rise to fame “wasn’t sugarcoated.” Uh . . . relatively speaking, it was. Getting a hummer and winning some free stuff doesn’t compare to getting shot a dozen times, last time I checked.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ Dagomar– you have point 50 was shot in the mouth with a 45
November 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
craig says:
dude…I’m not a Lebron fan but comparing him to Fiddy? That’s just plain disrespectful..Mr. Cent is trash and doesn’t have any substance in his raps and Bron is just a straight up beast.
And yeah 50 is a snitch, so is Snoop.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
snook says:
Damn, Not really feeling the first 2 NBA/Rapper comparisons.
I hope the next one will be
Kobe/Jay (obvious reasons)
or
Tim Duncan/Nas (none of that commercial sh*t, but one of the best)
November 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
barons beard says:
Insult to Lebron. 50 is no talent chump who’s skills as an MC pale in comparisson to literally hundreds of emcees puttin in work today, who reached the top because girls like how he looks with his top off
Lebron’s combination of skills and physical attributes are near on unparalleled
Really aint feeling this rapper comparisons section, SLAM do a similarly whack piece in their mag
November 27th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Linn says:
sorry don’t see any similarities.
except one thing
lebron james made himself better, he wants to own a palace, he wants to be richest athlete and he is not better than magic johnson..
so is 50 cents.