Pump It Up: 10 Rap Songs That Accidentally Turned Into Sports Anthems

Where would sports be without music? Seriously, if there were no bands, chants, fight songs, inspirational tracks or personal music for players to get motivated to during pre-game, you would see a whole different product on the field, court and in the ring. The relationship between sports and music is critical.

The reason is good music evokes a number of emotions. It can get you pumped, make you laugh, cry, feel sympathy or get you riled up enough to punch somebody in the face and stab their brain with their nose bone. Over the years, as rap has become more accepted in the mainstream, more and more stadiums, arenas, players and fans use it as a tool to get everybody in game mode. Sometimes the reason the song is chosen is unclear, with some having nothing to do with sports or even competition for that matter.

Nevertheless, here are 10 rap songs that, for one reason or another, have become coveted sports anthems…

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Photo: NFL

“Tony Montana” – Future

Last football season, the San Francisco 49ers’ kickoff team became known as “The Tony Montana Squad” spirited by Future’s hit song, “Tony Montana,” which they played before every kickoff. They even got the Atlanta rapper to perform the jingle before their home playoff game against the Saints. Because, you know, Tony Montana, Joe Montana, same thing.

“Jump Around” – House Of Pain

House of Pain’s 1992 hit “Jump Around” gets burn in a lot of sports arenas. But nobody takes in more serious than the student section in Wisconsin’s Camp Randle football stadium. And we mean nobody.

“Take It To The House” – Slip-N-Slide All Stars

Trick Daddy’s Miami anthem already had a sporty theme. After hitting the mainstream, it soon became a mainstay on sports highlight reels.

“Whoomp There It Is” – Tag Team

Not quite sure what the original point of this song was, but after it was released Tag Team’s hit quickly started making its rounds throughout the sports world. It was the theme song for the Philadelphia Phillies 1993 season and was played prominently during the ’93 World Series. The Miami duo even performed the song between innings during some home games.

“Empire State of Mind” – Jay Z

The NY anthem became such a hit when it came out the Yankees tapped Jay and Alicia Keys to perform the track during Game 2 of the 2009 World Series. The song would later be coined the “newest anthem of the Yankees” by the team’s owner after the pinstripes won it all.

“Lose Yourself” – Eminem

Em’s most successful single was basically a play on a scene from 8 Mile. But it wound up becoming one of the most popular sports themes in recent memory. The song was reportedly used as motivation for the English National Rugby team’s first World Cup win in 2003. It has since been used by several UFC fighters and boxers as their entrance music and plays during pre-game at University of Southern California football games.

“Pump It Up” – Joe Budden

Joe Budden’s hit single has become a staple at sporting events of all levels. The song even appeared on the soundtrack for Madden 2004.

“Let’s Get It Started” – Black Eyed Peas

If you’ve been to a professional sports game in the last eight years or so chances are you’ve heard this song played there. The hit was chosen as the theme song for the 2004 NBA Playoffs and the Peas also performed the song at the 2009 NFL Kickoff Concert.

“Put On” – Young Jeezy

Young Jeezy’s Kanye West assisted heater earned the trap rapper a Grammy nomination and got The Snowman airplay in sporting arenas around the nation. The 2008-2009 Cleveland Cavaliers used the song during the introductions of their starting lineup.

“Til I Collapse” – Eminem

The Eminem song with the “We Will Rock You” cadence gets play at sports events of all types. Shane Mosely famously used the track as his entrance song before getting smacked around by Floyd Mayweather and MLB pitcher Jesse Litsch walked out to the song during the 2011 season.

“Black & Yellow” – Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa gave his hometown, and its NFL franchise the Pittsburgh Steelers an anthem. They should retire one of Wiz’s furs for this one.