Image via Complex Original
This Sunday the 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in L.A. And while many of music's stars will be honored for the visuals to their biggest hits, we're looking back at one of the most important music video aspects; the cameo. More specifically, athlete cameos.
Over the years, appearances by ballers in music videos have featured a bit of everything; from LeBron James going one-on-one with Jay-Z to Dan Marino tossing passes to Hootie & the Blowfish. Whether playing their respective sports, dancing (or attempting to do so), or playing a role completely out their comfort zone, athletes have played some classic roles in music videos over the years. So, from P. Diddy's “Bad Boy For Life” to MC Hammer's “Too Legit to Quit,” check out these classic visuals with the 10 Best Athlete Music Video Cameos of All Time...
10. Jadakiss "Knock Yourself Out"
Athlete(s): Lamar Odom
Year: 2001
Complex Says: Back in the early 2000s everyone rocked jerseys. Whether they were the throwbacks or current authentic joints, reppin' your favorite teams and players was pretty standard. But how Lamar Odom (peep homie dancing at the 2:59 mark) figured he could get away with rocking HIS OWN game jersey at a house party we have no clue. Then again, this is the dude who wifed-up Khloe when Kim was still on the market. #justsayin'
9. MC Hammer "Too Legit to Quit"
Athlete(s): Various Athletes
Year: 1991
Complex Says: Yeah, the "Too Legit to Quit" hand signal was pretty corny but this video holds the record for most athlete cameos of all time. Starting at the 8:04 mark, you'll see José Canseco, Isiah Thomas, Kirby Puckett, Jerry Rice, Rickey Henderson, Deion Sanders, Andre Rison, Chris Mullin, Roger Clemens, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Lynette Woodard, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, David Robinson, and former Atlanta Falcons coach Jerry Glanville. Damn. What relevant athlete (besides MJ) from he late '80s to early '90s wasn't in this video?
8. Hector El Father's “Pa La Tumba”
Athlete(s): Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Jose Reyes
Year: 2007
Complex Says: So, we have three of the MLB's best Dominican players appearing in Hector El Father's club banger "Pa La Tumba." We peeped some swag surfin' but more importantly a bevy of hotties. No need to understand the lyrics for this one fam, we guarantee you'll watch from beginning to end.
7. Hootie & the Blowfish "Only Wanna Be with You"
Athlete(s): Dan Marino, Walt Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Fred Couples, Charles Smith, Muggsy Bogues
Year: 1995
Complex Says: In one of the oddest music videos, Hootie & the Blowfish get an assist from SportsCenter, and star athletes Dan Marino Fred Couples, and Alonzo Mourning (sorry, Walt Williams). The video's theme seems to be random displays of failure and stupidity. Wait, the song and video are ridiculous? Job well done, guys!
6. Big Pun "Whatcha Gon Do"
Athlete(s): Stephon Marbury and Kenny Anderson
Year: 1999
Complex Says: Steph and Kenny appear throughout the video hooping it up with Fat Joe while Pun raps in the bleachers; classic NYC shit right there. Only things that are missing are the pincho lady and a crackhead or two. Oh wait, Starbury is in this, nevermind. We kid, we kid. No Vaseline.
5. Jay-Z "Show Me What You Got"
Athlete(s): Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick
Year: 2006
Complex Says: Jay-Z is not the type of guy to drop any old celebrity in his music video. Hey, who are we kidding?! In an attempt to secure the Down South audience, Jay is seen with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in a race against Danica Patrick. Two of racing's finest stuntin' in a Pagani Zonda and Ferrari F430 Spider is pretty dope, but c'mon dude, what's with all the waving and pointing? Hov has got to be one of the worst people riding shotgun we have ever seen.
4. Michael Jackson "Remember the Time"
Athlete(s): Magic Johnson
Year: 1992
Complex Says: Only a few months after his HIV announcement, Magic Johnson appeared in Michael Jackson's music video for "Remember the Time." Though Magic only appears as one of Pharaoh's guards, his speaking cameo in the multi-million dollar short film was a win for sports heads everywhere. Side bar: From music videos to ballers, doesn't it seem like everything was a bit better in the '90s? Except for technology (a.k.a. free porn on the Interwebs), of course.
3. Jay-Z "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
Athlete(s): LeBron James
Year: 2009
Complex Says: Back when Jay-Z still thought he had a chance of bringing Bron Bron to the Nets, the King made an appearance (3:56) in the visual to Jigga's auto-tune diss. They played one-on-one, Jay missed the jumper but the powers that be edited it out. Though LeBron's defense does seem reminiscent of the D he played in this year's Finals. Yeah, we love giving dude a hard time.
2. P. Diddy f/ Black Rob & Mark Curry "Bad Boy For Life"
Athlete(s): Mike Tyson, Shaq
Year: 2001
Complex Says: Who wasn't in this vid? Iron Mike came through on the chopper (3:47) and the Diesel was stylin' on white boys with Diddy (3:55) to the soundtrack of Mark Curry's glorious (sike!) raps. Side bar: Thank God that Nelly wristband fad didn't last long. Yup, you can call that a sports X style fail.
1. Michael Jackson "Jam"
Athlete(s): Michael Jordan
Year: 1992
Complex Says: While it's dope to see one MJ meet the other, it is hard to believe that Michael Jackson can ball at all, let alone hit a shot from outside the damn arena! We even get a chance to witness the two schoolin' each other in their respective fields. Makes sense that the two of the greatest to ever do it would shoot a video together. #realrecognizereal