If you can believe Miami's gossip pages, LeBron James may be close to joining the ranks of Tony Parker, Shaquille O'Neal, Ron Artest and Chris Webber: athletes with laughably bad music albums. From the Miami Herald:Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James was partying at The 400 Club at The Fifth on Friday night. According to a witness, James was in the VIP suite with some friends and teammates. He was also with music exec and urban marketing guru Steve Stout, because word is that James has an album dropping in the fall.We should have seen this coming -- it was months ago that we first learned his new house was going to include a music studio. Speaking as a Pistons fan, I wholeheartedly welcome his decision -- nothing starts the backlash against an over-hyped athlete faster than dropping a bad rap album.
And don't kid yourself, you know it's going to be bad -- these types of things always are. Plus, if his music career mirrors his playing career, he'll have no supporting cast, which rules out any cameos from his beloved hero Jay-Z (though Young Buck does owe him at least an intro).
If you're sick of rappers always talking about money, diamonds and women, then LBJ might provide a welcome alternative -- given the direction the music industry is going these days, he'll probably be name-dropping Nike, Bubblicious and Cub Cadet lawn mowers.
(via Sports by Brooks)
Previously on FanHouse:
Tony P. Be Spittin' Mad French Game, Yo
Troy Hudson is Serious About His (Rap) Career
Desmond Mason Brings His Game Into the Studio
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I doubt the album will be called, "Jump Shot."
Posted at 3:11PM on Jul 3rd 2007 by Jaz
2. That would be Steve Stoute. Always trust the Miami Herald on such matters.
Posted at 3:59PM on Jul 3rd 2007 by Unsilent Majority
3. Currently Stoute is best known for matching up mega-stars with companies looking for spokesmen.
So which would be more likely?
Posted at 3:59PM on Jul 3rd 2007 by Unsilent Majority
4. On another note......Bill Russell who personifies the class the NBA ONCE was will have to remind them they are basketball players.....It's about championships, not rap albums....
Posted at 6:17PM on Jul 3rd 2007 by Yeah I Can Do That
5. Bill Russell played with about 12 hall of famers during his career. Give LeBron that kind of help and he will get a few championships. He doesn't even have another All star player on the Cavs.
If he wants to rap during his free time let it be.
Posted at 1:41AM on Jul 4th 2007 by LB
6. Thank you for not putting Iverson on that list of bad baller-rappers ... because AI's ish was fiyaaaa!
Posted at 4:17AM on Jul 4th 2007 by Miss Gossip
7. Just what the world needs, another stupid rap album from another stupid athelete.
Posted at 6:13AM on Jul 4th 2007 by Paul Plumeri
8. Lebron should be using his spare time learning how to shoot free throws and how to win ball games!
Posted at 6:36AM on Jul 4th 2007 by sally
9. MORE CRAP MUSIC.....THATS JUST WAHT WE NEED. ITS SILLY, FOOLISH AND IMMATURE.
Posted at 8:24AM on Jul 4th 2007 by npanaro711
10. What a disgrace that a young man of 22 who just lived up to all the hype by leading his team to the NBA finals wants to have a little fun during the off season.
LeBron is generous to a fault, has many friends to whom he is exceptionally loyal, involves himself with dozens of charities here in Cleveland and is about to play for Team USA.
What a shame that he spends a few hours in the degenerate pursuit of making music. Critics should find a way to make their own joyful noise.
Jeff...Cleveland
Posted at 8:52AM on Jul 4th 2007 by JEFF
11. I would certainly hope James' venture into "music" is more of a success than his championship series against Dallas. Who ever called that fucker a basketball player got it wrong. He didn't show me shit in that series.
Posted at 8:58AM on Jul 4th 2007 by nightowl
12. did you say "over-hyped" how dumb are you he single handedly whooped on your Pistons. and should have actually won 6 out of 6
Posted at 9:53AM on Jul 4th 2007 by JSM1CAVSFAN
13. Where was I? I didn't even know we (The Cavs) played Dallas!!
Posted at 10:10AM on Jul 4th 2007 by KD
14. AI's work was better than the rest but he still only had like two hot joints on it. Shaq posted up one decent appearance with the FuShnikens.
Anyway, if LeBron wants to rap then get off the man's balls. You're all just sealous that you don't have the time and money to indulge in your own pastimes. If a doctor takes the time off to paint a picture or retile his shed does anyone cry that he should be instead studying to have a steadier hand? If no one buys his album then lebron did nothing more than live out one of his dreams.
Little minds always try to drag bigger men down with them. Sad.
Posted at 10:22AM on Jul 4th 2007 by Razer
15. I'm not a basketball fan but I think LaBron is exactly what the game needs right now. He is a fresh face in a game of wanna be thugs... He is a hard worker and gives back to his community.We don't see all of the off court bullshit that most of the punks now days are involved in..I'm glad that rap is on it's way out and hope he stays away from it....
Posted at 10:52AM on Jul 4th 2007 by Bob
16. So many jealous haters. I guess it is against the law to have a hobby. It's a free country unless you do things someone doesn't like. I don't see him telling any of the bloggers what to do with their free time.
Posted at 11:04AM on Jul 4th 2007 by LB
17. Man, it does not take much talent to rap, that's y these atheletes always release rap ablums instead of something with singing or real music on it. But still, it does take a little bit of talent, as absolutely crap ablums by K-Fed, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Shaq prove.
Posted at 11:06AM on Jul 4th 2007 by jim
18. Here's my advice to all pro athletes, stick to what brought you to the dance. Don't try to pursue a different career when you're already a success story in the NBA or NFL.
LeBron, you're a basketball Superstar, not a rapper. Don't expect to sale 2 million albums. Don't even expect to sale 200.
Posted at 11:07AM on Jul 4th 2007 by David Allen
19. Maybe he should concentrate on BASKETBALL since he can't shoot! Lebron is the most overhyped athlete sicen A-rod. One day he will join A-rod in the hall of meaningless numbers.
Posted at 11:08AM on Jul 4th 2007 by Jason(Dallas)
20. The last time I checked LeBron was a free man. With the kind of dough he has I'm sure he could care less what most of us think. If he wants to make a rap album, so what! We all have choices, either we like it and buy it or we don't. Movie/TV stars have released albums and we don't make a big deal about it, so if athletes want to try their hand at music let them. As a wise man once said " Don't hate the player, hate the game"!
Posted at 11:21AM on Jul 4th 2007 by tkeese