Image via Complex Original
Today marks Hulk Hogan's 58th birthday. The All-American hero captivated fans worldwide during the peak of Hulkamania in the '80s and continues to remain relevant today—including being the subject of gossip recently involving his marital affairs and a public spat with an old foe. Smashing jumpoffs and beef? Doesn't get more hip hop than that. From the release of his very own rap single to a slew of lyrical references from rap vets, here are Hulk Hogan's Most Hip-Hop Moments. Happy birthday, brother!
10. Def Jam Rapstar Commercial
DATE: 10/5/2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Ayo! Pauses all around. In this ad for Def Jam Rapstar, the Hulkster put his spin on Biggie's "Juicy" classic and was even earning some hood points until he decided to flash his johnson. Side bar: Check Brooke out trying to get signed in a commercial. #shameless
9. Little Brother, "War"
DATE: 2005
LYRIC: "Goin back and forth like Ivan and Nikita, it's goin down. Hulk Hogan, we comin fo' you, nigga!" (Phonte)
COMPLEX SAYS: In one of the funniest gaffes in WWE history, Booker T threatened Hulk Hogan but may have raised the Hulkster's street cred in the process. Little Brother made a couple wrestling references on this cut, but it was the shit talking at the end that had us dying. Just don't go all V-Nasty on us, Hulk.
8. Erick Sermon - Erick Sermon
DATE: 10/1/1993
LYRIC: "Grab my nuts, hold em/Because they're golden/With more wins than Hulk Hogan"
COMPLEX SAYS: This cut is off of Erick's No Pressure LP. The Green Eyed Bandit just let us all know what the deal is: Apparently his family jewels are the greatest in their respective field and yes we get it...PAUSE...but isn't this the guy that jumped out of a window in Paterson, N.J. to escape a chick's angry man? You lost one, Erick.
7. Hulk & Co.
DATE: 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: Nearly every rapper would love to think of themselves as the Hulk Hogan of the rap game. So, it makes sense that some of the game's best have been seen chillin' with Hogan. From Snoop to Ice-T and we even have a Paul Wall sighting. What are the odds that he smoked with Snoop, bagged some shorties with Ice, and got some grills done with Paul? We'll take that bet, brother!
6. Cella Dwellas - Main Aim
DATE: 7/29/1997
LYRIC: "Ug will, roast ya, focused like Minolta/ Hold gats like a holster, that'll rip through shirts like the Hulkster" (Ug)
COMPLEX SAYS: Ahh, the Hulkster's trademark showboat move. Don't front, you know you ripped through a few tattered shirts as a kid, only to have your mom spaz out. Anyway, this track is off the Soul in the Hole soundtrack and the Dwellas showed off on this. Man, those are gats we want no part off. Hulk Hogan had to have gone through an endless amount of shirts in his day and it's safe to say their funerals were all closed casket.
4. Young Jeezy f/ Nas, "My President is Black"
DATE: 9/2/2008
LYRIC: "My president is black/Rose golden charms/Twenty-two inch rims, like Hulk Hogan's arms" (Nas)
COMPLEX SAYS: On Young Jeezy's single, Nasty Nas makes this inaccurate reference to the GOAT wrestler's biceps. Turns out Hulk has ties to both rappers on this track, on his Hogan Knows Best reality show he attempts to learn the lyrics to Jeezy's "I Luv It" to impress his son. Just remember Nas: It's 24 inches, not 22. Size matters (II).
4. What's Beef?
DATE: 5/28/2011
COMPLEX SAYS: What's more hip-hop than a good old-fashioned beef? In the midst of Macho Man's passing, the Ultimate Warrior decided to open up a can of worms. Apparently the Hulkster was turning away Warrior fans at some FB party, so he decided to ether Hogan with an onslaught of YouTube videos making accusations on a slew of things from The Hulkster's lack of loyalty to his hair extensions. Yeah, this beef is turning super ugly, but we have one question: Is this battle more Nasty Nas v. Jigga or Lloyd v. Miguel?
3. D.I.T.C. f/ Big Pun & Milano "Where You At?"
DATE: 2/22/2000
LYRIC: "I'm Hogan in his prime/too strong and fast/You can bomb or blast/come on/You'll still be on your ass" (Pun)
COMPLEX SAYS: There were very few rappers that could've stood up to Pun, just like how there were very few wrestlers that could've taken down the Hulkster in his prime. So, it makes sense that Pun would give a lyrical shout-out to Hogan. #realrecognizereal
2. Drunken Master f/ Method Man, Redman - Redman Freestyle
DATE: 1999
LYRIC: "Just because I rap, I'm not a sucka/Grab the mic like Hulk Hogan, 'Well, ya know brother?'"
COMPLEX SAYS: Leave it to Redman to deliver a hilarious classic like this. The Hulkster's catchphrase just adds a big of nostalgic epic value to this line. This freestyle is Lil B rare, son.
1. "Beach Patrol"
DATE: 1995
COMPLEX SAYS: "Yes! Hogan went off on Beach Patrol!" That was us when we were young'ns listening to this nonsense, but hey, he raps better than a lot of athletes out there. Word to Delonte West and CJ2K. No, but seriously, Hulk Hogan made an album that featured some rock, some rap, and some pop music that was actually dedicated to a young fan that passed away before he could see the Hulk wrestle. The Hulk Rules album reached the Top Ten Children's Billboard Charts and proceeds were donated to the fan's family. Hogan gets a pass on this one.