Image via Complex Original
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Once upon a time, Allen Iverson (a.k.a. "Jewelz") tried to launch his own rap career. Thankfully, it was remarkably unsuccessful. AI's first single, "40 Barz," received so much negative feedback that his debut album was shelved, and he didn't get the chance to embarrass himself by putting out a full-length project.
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But that didn't stop A.I. from making an impact in the rap world. Even though he put down the mic back in 2001, rappers have name-dropped the former 76ers point guard over and over and over again. And even though he hasn't played in the NBA in more than five years now, rappers continue to use him and his various nicknames in their lyrics.
So as AI celebrates his 40th birthday today, we decided to put together a list of The 40 Best Rap Bars About Allen Iverson. Just know that there will definitely be more to come…
40."Every shot you see them take at me? They all contested/Allen Iverson shoe deal, these niggas all in question"—Drake
Song: "6PM in New York"
Album: If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Year: 2015
When most people listened to this song for the first time, the only thing they heard was the Tyga diss. But we also heard Drizzy referencing A.I., which is something he has done a number of times during his career. Stay tuned, because this won't be the last time you see Drake on this list.
39."Who can sing a hook like Frankie Lymon?/Should I choose the Baywatch David Hasselhoff hair or the Allen Iverson braids, zigzags I'm designin'?"—RiFF RAFF
Song: "Lava Glaciers"
Album: Neon Icon
Year: 2014
Did A.I. really hang on to his braids for, like, three years longer than he should have so that RiFF RAFF could reference them one day? No. But we're sure he appreciated the fact that his now-legendary braids were mentioned in the same sentence as David Hasselhoff's Baywatch hair. Errr…
38."Niggas killing niggas like they got a license/Niggas crossing over like they Allen Iverson"—Yo Gotti
Song: Rick Ross' "Trap Luv"
Album: Hood Billionaire
Year: 2014
There are two ways that you know an NBA player has a crazy crossover. One, you watch him and see it for yourself. Or two, you start to hear "crossover like [insert player's name here]" pop up in rap songs. A.I. was and still is the king of this, and you're going to see a ton of references to his deadly crossover on this list.
37."Shots fired, Allen Iverson in the league/They say I ball hog and I'm not a part of the team"—Kevin Gates
Song: Juicy J's "Payback"
Album: Furious 7 soundtrack
Year: 2015
Yes, A.I. was a little bit of a ball hog at times when he played for the 76ers. But if your options were to either pass to a wide-open Eric Snow or take a contested jumper, wouldn't you be a ball hog, too? (Sorry, Snow!)
36."Niggas will post up but won't even call the block/Allen Iverson, everybody push the rock"—Lil B
Song: "Based Jam"
Album: Based Jam
Year: 2012
The Based God's Curse didn't exist back when A.I. was in the league. But if it did, we doubt Lil B would have used it on him. He's referenced Iverson countless times in the past. Plus, how silly would it have looked if A.I. would have tried to do the cooking dance?
35."I am champion at beer pong/Allen Iverson, Hakeem Olajuwon"—Asher Roth
Song: "I Love College"
Album: Asleep in the Bread Aisle
Year: 2009
When Asher first came up with this line, we imagine he did it because he wanted to talk about how he shoots the lights out at the beer pong table, just like A.I. used to shoot the lights out on the basketball court. But somehow, this seems to have morphed into a double entendre over time. Funny/sad how that worked out, huh?
34."Ballin' on you guys like Allen Iverson/They're like, 'Damn! Here's this guy again'/He's on fire, we need a fire hydrant then"—B.o.B
Song: Classified's "They Call This (Hip Hop)"
Album: Self Explanatory
Year: 2009
We don't need to explain this one, do we? Instead, here's a clip of A.I. catching fire and dropping 60 on the Magic in 2005.
33."Now we got my block live again, look at these whips we're riding in/Making ballin' look easy, baby, we don't practice like Iverson"—Chamillionaire
Song: "Hold Up"
Album: Elevate
Year: 2013
It must be hard for rappers to decide which kind of A.I. reference to use when they incorporate him into a song. Do you go with a crossover reference—or a "practice" rant reference? Decisions, decisions…
32."I'ma ball like Julius Irving, Iverson, and Manning/I got the cannon in that two-door Phantom"—Tony Yayo
Song: "Piano Man"
Album: T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight)
Year: 2008
Dr. J, A.I., and Eli Manning? What a random grouping of guys who "ball." Wait, what do you mean he wasn't talking about Eli?
31."Young dude, be floatin' the city like cab drivers/Professional but still keep it real like Allen Iverson"—Murphy Lee
Song: "Jang a Lang"
Album: Free City
Year: 2001
Originally, we were going to disappoint all of the Murphy Lee fans out there (we see you!) and leave this one off the list. But then we thought about it and realized that Murphy Lee didn't find a way to rhyme "cab drivers" with "Allen Iverson" in order to be left off A.I. rap reference lists like this! It was genius. Or something.
30."It's all G, Broad Street down to Stuyvestant/Niggas got talent, move like Allen Iverson"—Pacewon
Song: "World Reknown"
Album: Won
Year: 2002
Here's another one that doesn't require much explanation. So instead, here's a clip of A.I.'s ten best moves.
29."How can I be inhumane?/In a world full of animals, I'm pure like Iverson handles"—J-Ro
Song: Tha Alkaholiks' "L-I-K-S"
Album: X.O. Experience
Year: 2001
SO PURE.
28."I be the Eastside Soprano, Rob Marciano/Flow in every channel with the Iverson handle"—Black Rob
Song: G-Dep's "Let's Get It"
Album: Child of the Ghetto
Year: 2001
Are you sensing the pattern here? If a rapper references good "handles," he's also referencing A.I. No question about it.
27."Shagging is something I'm a pro at, but I ain't practicing shit/Allen Iverson of safe sex, condoms are for practice, man, I skip practice"—Eminem
Song: Skylar Grey's "C'mon Let Me Ride"
Album: Don't Look Down
Year: 2012
Ah, we see what you did there, Em. You're talkin' 'bout…practice?!
26."It ain't hard to tell who's the liver one/Got 'em all shooken like Allen Iverson"—Big Daddy Kane
Song: "Definitely"
Album: Veteranz' Day
Year: 1999
"Shooken" is not a real word. But then again, A.I.'s crossover was pretty unreal. So that made this all make sense.
25."The home of Marvin Gaye, that's all I gotta say/Iverson was cool, but I supported Victor Page"—Wale
Song: "Uptown Roamers"
Album: Hate Is the New Love
Year: 2007
Wale is so D.C. that he SUPPORTED VICTOR PAGE. You don't even know who that is, do you? Go look it up.
24."Lil mama's a plumber, she's handling pipe/Ill with a pill, she handle it right/Like Iverson, the smallest thing on the team, but the livest one"—Killer Mike
Song: "Akshon (Yeah!)"
Album: Monster
Year: 2003
Should A.I. be flattered or freaked out by this line? It's hard to decide.
23."Went from nobody on the block to superstardom/I got women from Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Harlem/Hit my crib on the Hudson only if you're worthy/I put three on their backs like an Iverson jersey"—Ludacris
Song: Ron Browz' "Pop Champagne (Remix)"
Album: N/A
Year: 2008
Take all of the exclamation marks that appear on the Rap Genius lyrics page for this song (seriously, why are there so many?) and place them here.
22."Now that the gate's wide open, it is I who they runnin' from/Little with the ill crossover like Iverson"—Bow Wow
Song: "Bow Wow (That's My Name)"
Album: Beware of Dog
Year: 2000
Bow Wow was such a big A.I. fan that he also referenced him on the soundtrack for Like Mike. "The first step like Iverson, blow past you," he rapped on "Basketball." "Usually nothing but net, but I can go glass, too." Take that, MJ!
21."With the killer cross, had Iverson on the block/Graced the cover of The Source, tell me that ain't hot"—Fat Joe
Song: DJ Kay Slay's "Free Again"
Album: N/A
Year: 2014
Big news: Fat Joe rhymed alongside his former foe 50 Cent on this song. Bigger news: He proved that A.I. crossovers references still weren't dead, even though he was nearly five years removed from the NBA.
20."The rap game in question and I'm young Iverson/My dog in a jam and I got to ride with him"—Lloyd Banks
Song: "You Wish"
Album: Failure's No Option
Year: 2013
Young Iverson > Old Iverson.
19."I like ballin', I come back like Mike Jordan/This is for y'all while I'm spittin' literatures, lyrics'll fall like Allen Iverson dribble the ball"—Rakim
Song: "How I Get Down"
Album: The Master
Year: 1999
An MJ reference and an A.I. reference? Winning combination.
18."That nigga shit, Iverson crossover/That nigga shit, Cheez Doodles, grape soda"—Big Pun
Song: "Nigga Shit"
Album: Yeeeah Baby
Year: 2000
Did Pun just put Iverson's crossover on the same level as Cheez Doodles with grape soda? Yes. Yes, he did.
17."No practice here so call me Iverson/But I'ma be ready when the Finals come"—Mac Miller
Song: "Foolin' Around"
Album: The High Life
Year: 2009
Another "practice" reference? Another "practice" reference.
16."My money promising/Step up in the game and cross the best like Allen Iverson"—Meek Mill
Song: "Sparkles"
Album: Dreamchasers
Year: 2011
You can't be a young, up-and-coming rapper from Philly and not reference A.I.
15."Meanwhile I'm a virus like Iverson/A nigga crossover, Europeans admirin'"—Obie Trice
Song: "Oh!"
Album: Cheers
Year: 2003
Did white people love Obie Trice as much as white people loved A.I. and his crossover? Eh, no. But at least Obie tried something different here.
14."Dancin' around the club, doin' the tango/Go hard like Iverson, playin' with hurt ankles"—Talib Kweli
Song: "In The Mood"
Album: Eardrum
Year: 2007
Reminder: A.I. played through 11 injuries (!) during the 2001 NBA Finals…and still averaged 35 points per game.
13."I shine hard and I be flossin' very sweet/But I'm like Iverson, dog, I be ballin' but very street"—Lil Wayne
Song: "10,000 Bars"
Album: N/A
Year: Early 2000s
If Twitter existed 15 years ago, "I be ballin' but very street," would have (and should have) been A.I.'s bio.
12."Look, a straight up Compton nigga 'til I'm six feet like Iverson be/Ride and die for mines, it's just me"—Kendrick Lamar
Song: "Yung Boys World"
Album: Compton State of Mind
Year: 2012
Just in case A.I. forgot that he was never the tallest player in the NBA...
11."New verses crush the hood like I'm drivin' into somethin'/Bitches on the kid like I'm Iverson or somethin'"—Drake
Song: "A Little Favour"
Album: N/A
Year: 2012
We told you that Drake likes dropping A.I. references in his raps, didn't we? Here's another one.
10."Probably think I won't murder you, the way I smile/But I'ma take a lot of shots, A.I. style"—Jadakiss
Song: Clipse's "I'm Not You"
Album: Lord Willin'
Year: 2002
According to Basketball-Reference, A.I. averaged more than 20 shots per game during his career. So if you ever find yourself standing near a smiling Jadakiss, DUCK.
9."Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the livest ones/Still on my grizzly, no Iverson"—Fabolous
Song: Red Café's "I'm Ill"
Album: ShakeDown
Year: 2010
Does anyone even remember A.I. playing for the Grizzlies?
8."Rich motherfucker, gettin' chicks at the Rucker/Bringin' my team to the joint, with Allen Iverson runnin' the point"—Puff Daddy
Song: Busta Rhymes' "The Body Rock"
Album: When Disaster Strikes...
Year: 1999
Puffy wasn't bullshitting in his rhymes here. He really convinced Iverson and Stephon Marbury to come and play for his team at Rucker Park in 1996. Iverson had a mediocre game but…oh, who are we kidding? He dropped 40 and is now featured prominently in Rucker Park's history.
7."It's Bumpy Knux, hotter than grits on Al Green/Gonna make Allen Iverson stick with his team"—Freddie Foxxx
Song: "The Lah"
Album: The Kolexxxion
Year: 2012
Of all the rappers listed here, Freddie Foxxx was the only one to take a shot at A.I. and his unsuccessful rap career. Not that that should really surprise you.
6."When the new generation think about Jordan/All they remember is when Iverson crossed him"—Joe Budden
Song: "Talk 2 'Em"
Album: Mood Muzik 3: For Better or For Worse
Year: 2007
Solid line from Budden, but it's not actually true anymore. Apparently, the only thing the new generation thinks about when they hear Jordan's name is…sneakers. Welp.
5."To guide y'all through, show you how it's done/I'm the question and the answer like Iverson"—Jay Z
Song: "A Million and One Questions (Remix)"
Album: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
Year: 1997
This was a lot better than that other line Jay Z spit about Iverson. You know the one we're talking about, right?
4."That's around the time that your idols become your rivals/You make friends with Mike but got to A.I. him for your survival"—Drake
Song: "Thank Me Now"
Album: Thank Me Later
Year: 2010
Drake just had to slip something about this on to his debut album.
3."They think I'm spellin' Iverson when the beef all done/'Cause he'll be on IV in the ER, son"—40 Cal
Song: N/A (this line originated from a Fight Klub battle)
Album: N/A
Year: 2012
How this line didn't make every rap message board on the Internet explode, we'll never know.
2."The bitch in you, makes you run for cover when I spit at you/A man-to-man zone Allen Iverson couldn't dribble through"—Canibus
Song: 8Ball's "Pure Uncut (Remix)"
Album: Lost
Year: 1998
A man-to-man zone would be impossible for A.I. to dribble through because it doesn't actually exist. Maybe Canibus meant a matchup zone? Or maybe a box-and-one? Or maybe we're just reading too far into this? Whatever the case, the line sounded good! Even if it wasn't 100 percent accurate.
1."He's The Answer and the problem, you don't want it with/The way that boy go to the hole and take punishment/The young boss of the cross for four quarters/And from three-point land, he's all water/Matter fact, call him the king/The way he breaks down the defense, it's like he got the ball on a string"—Jadakiss
Song: N/A (these bars originated from a Reebok TV commercial)
Album: N/A
Year: 2001
Is it cheating to pick these bars as the best A.I. bars ever? Kinda, right? The whole commercial was about A.I. But it's hard not to include them, seeing as how they feature references to everything that made people love A.I. so much. Even if you've never seen him play, these lines sum up what made A.I. great.