Rappers wanna be ballers, ballers wanna be rappers, as they say.
On Full Court Press, Vol. 1 Hip Hop stars like Snoop Dogg, Royce Da 5'9 and T-Pain get on tracks with NBA players, so at least the ballers get to live out the fantasy.
The album, which drops on December 9, is the brainchild of former Bad Boy Records executive Shannon 'Slam' Ridley. Ridley, a single father, wanted to create something positive for his boys.
"I understand the power of hip-hop on American culture," Ridley explains. "I felt like if I can get some NBA players, write some clean, inspiring rhymes, get the world's greatest rappers on this album with all clean messages, I could put something together that's really unique, I want it to be something that will not only penetrate hip hop culture, but that everyone from 8 up to 80 could listen to and have a good fun time."
Here is the exclusive tracklist:
“Airtime” feat. Future, Sean Garrett, Rocko, Lou Williams “I'm A Champion” feat. T-Pain, Dorrough, Shawn Marion and Young Cash, “Go Hard” feat. Bun B, Stephen Jackson “Oh Yeah” feat. Snoop Dogg, The Game, Joe Smith, Lamar Odom “Showout” feat. Mase, Iman Shumpert, Chris Styles, Manio “Bang 'Em Down Low” feat. Soulja Boy, Glen Big Baby Davis, Maurice “Mo” Pete “Winning Streak” feat. Twista, Willie Taylor, Carlos Boozer “Ball Hard On 'EM” feat. Trevor Ariza, Gudda Gudda, Birdman, Silk The Shocker, “We Hoopin (Yea Boy)” feat. Royce Da 5’9”, Charlie Villanueva
Later this week, the video for 'I'm A Champion' will premiere. (A teaser and the lyrics video are below.)
And, of course, the NBA season starts tonight!