John Wall and Drake
@dimemag @jimmywa11
I’ve talked about the blurring of the lines between Hip Hop and sport for quite some time.  As the athletes increasingly decide to jump early from their collegiate careers to professional sport it has made the average age of the athletes much younger thus falling right in line with the demographic that today’s rappers are trying to reach the late teens/ early 20 somethings.  These athletes who have grown up in much the same way, much the same neighborhoods and culture that the rappers do its not surprising that they dabble in each others craft and at the very least, become fans of the others profession.

So with the NBA tipping off officially on Tuesday, Dime Magazine, the bibile for the Hip Hop Hoops culture interviewed this year’s draft class to find out exactly what they’re listening to in their brand new whips, iPods and systems. Not surprisingly Drake and Lil Wayne were very popular followed by mainstays Jigga, Em, Rick Ross and a little Gucci Mane for those Southern Bred stars.   Here are some of the highlights:

John Wall: (Washington Wizards): Wale, Drake, Lil Wayne

Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers): Drake, Jay-Z, Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West

Derrick Favors (New Jersey Nets): Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy (“Atlanta music”)

Wesley Johnson (Minnesota Timberwolves): Drake, J.Cole, T.I., Rick Ross, Kanye West

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings): Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti

Ekpe Udoh (Golden State Warriors): Rick Ross, J.Cole, Drake, Jay-Z

Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons): Wale, Wiz Khalfia, Lil Wayne

Al-Farouq Aminu (LA Clippers): Young Jeezy

Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz): Eminem, Drake

Paul George (Indiana Pacers): Lil Wayne, Drake, Gucci Mane, Eminem, Jay-Z

Cole Aldrich (Oklahoma City Thunder): John Mayer (“A little bit of everything”)

Xavier Henry (Memphis Grizzlies): Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Drake (“Whatever my brother puts on my iPod”)

Ed Davis (Toronto Raptors): Jay-Z

Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets): Drake, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Eminem

These were the lottery picks only.  After that you might not recognize the names as they’re likely to receive very little burn if any in the league this year.  Very little surprises as you’ll see although I’m impressed that Wiz Kalifa showed up on Greg Monroe’s radar and he’s not even from Pittsburgh.  Ekpe Udoh from MY Golden State Property (Warriors) showed a little love to the youngin, J. Cole.  DeMarcus Cousins was probably the most left field with his.  Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash??? WHO?! I guess I need to step my game up.  Someone please enlighten me.  I like the fact he didn’t go status quo however.  But what’s up with Cole Aldrich?  John Mayer?  Uhhhhh… At least he’s playing in Oklahoma City.

Dime via Dr. Jays