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After 1217 games played over 18 stellar seasons, Steve Nash has announced that he is retiring from the NBA. Canada’s finest certainly made his mark on the sport, but the Victoria, BC native’s influence extends well beyond basketball—his name is a pop culture emblem, synonymous with speed, agility, and being a goddamned champion.
It’s no secret that rappers love a solid NBA reference, and sure, the fact that Steve Nash averaged 8.5 assists a game makes him a prime candidate for a blunt-passing analogy. On top of that, the fact that he has the best free throw percentage of all time makes a gunplay metaphor all too tempting. In the scope of basketball/rap similes, a Steve Nash reference could be considered an easy layup. But given the fact that the man is a literal game-changer, the spirit behind these lyrical tributes to Nash reveal a deep reverence for Canada’s point guard.
To celebrate the incredible career of Captain Canada, here are 10 of the best lyrical shoutouts to Steve Nash. Which ones did we miss? Leave them in the comments below.
2.Migos, “Peek A Boo”
They say that once you’re saluted in the Migos flow, you become immortal, able to live forever within a transcendental realm actualized by Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset. It’s like purgatory, but with Versace sheets.
Listen here.
3.Lil Wayne, “I Just Died In Your Arms”
This Cutting Crew sample makes for an appropriate tribute to Steve Nash, given that the long hairstyle he sported for much of his career made him look more like the keyboardist for an ‘80s new wave band than a point guard.
Listen here.
4.Cam’ron, “Get ‘Em Daddy”
It’s hard to say whether or not Steve Nash would be happy about being dragged into a butt-eating analogy, but we’re sure Cam means it in the best way possible. At least he didn’t make a ball-handling metaphor.
Listen here.
5.OB O’Brien, “Steve Nash”
Not only is this a tribute to Steve Nash’s undeniable passing ability, it ties in the fact that he grew up in British Columbia. Is OB the new great lyricist of our generation? No, he’s just the guy in Drake’s crew who’s in charge of rolling joints.
Listen here.
6.Lil B, “T-Shirts & Buddens”
The same way Lil B can curse a basketball player’s career, he can also use his based energy to bless a baller’s game play. Lil B has referenced Steve Nash many times, always in a positive light. TYBG, for protecting Steve Nash at all costs.
Listen here.
7.ScHoolboy Q, “Kamikaze”
Here, Quincy uses Steve Nash’s jersey number (#10, with the Lakers) to make a drug reference, while also highlighting Nash’s ability to stop, turn, and twist on a dime while orchestrating a play. It’s a solid effort, though we would have liked to have seen some kind of bucket hat/makin’ buckets analogy from Q, the certifiable baron of the bucket.
Listen here.
8.Gucci Mane, “Hold Dat Thought”
The fans of the Utah Jazz are a loyal bunch, and their former point guard, John Stockton, is one of the only players to trump Nash in terms of career assists. Stockton also has a slew of shoutouts. Rappers love point guards.
Listen here.
9.Wale, “Camp Lo”
Is Wale really the rap game steve Nash? Nah.
Drake is the rap game Steve Nash for two reasons: 1) They’re both Canadian. 2) An assist from Drake can make your career.
Listen here.
10.Young Thug, “Keep Going”
Only Young Thug could take a Steve Nash reference and make it seem like the most romantic sentiment this side of a Nicholas Sparks novel. If Steve Nash isn’t your hubby, you’re a hater.
Listen here.
11.Nelly Furtado, “Promiscuous”
A Nelly Furtado mention is an accolade that single-handedly eclipses 2 MVP nods and 8 NBA All-Star appearances put together. Kobe has 5 rings, but how many times has he been called out by Nelly Furtado? None. ‘Nuff said.
Listen here.