The Best Mike Tyson References in Rap
Is it Iron Mike? Or Iron Mic?
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Get on the Mike - Mike Tyson has meant a lot to rap and hip hop. The heavyweight champion’s background story reads a lot like a rapper’s would. Overcoming adversity is just part of the appeal. His rise to stardom and troubles due to that stardom inspired rappers throughout the genre. A few mentions were made of one of the world’s most famous boxers throughout the years. Here are some of our favorites. Just so you know, none of them mention this.— Jon Reyes(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Jay Z, 'Holy Grail' (2013) - On the title track to his 2013 album, Magna Carta... Holy Grail, Jay Z used Tyson’s rise and fall as a cautionary tale for fame and celebrity.”Bright lights is enticin', but look what it did to Tyson / All that money in one night, thirty mil' for one fight / But soon as all the money blows, all the pigeons take flight…”(Photo by Ruediger Fessel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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LL Cool J, 'I’m Bad' (1987) - For his sophomore album, Bigger and Deffer, LL Cool J decided to give the boxer a shout out. Fast forward years later, LL would have beef with Tyson for siding with Canibus during his battle with LL Cool J.”I'm like Tyson, icin' I'm a soldier at war / I'm makin' sure you don't try to battle me no more…”(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Jadakiss, 'None of Y’All Betta' (2001) - It was only a matter of time before a rapper made a reference to the infamous Tyson vs. Holyfield fight where Tyson bit off a piece of Evander’s ear.”If I don't like you, I'mma kill you not fight you / I bite a little piece of your ear off like Mike do…”(Photo: Al Bello/Allsport)
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Big Daddy Kane, 'Put Your Weight on It' (1990) - Even though 1990 was a rough year for Tyson after losing a fight in which he was a betting favorite, that didn’t stop Big Daddy Kane from comparing his rhyming prowess to that of Mike’s past wins.”As the chosen flows in, the competition throws in / The towel, my sharp tongue is like a license / I strike like Mike, Tyson I be icin…”(Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Puff Daddy, Featuring Busta Rhymes and the Notorious B.I.G., 'Victory' (1997) - Technically on a Puff Daddy record (No Way Out), the Tyson reference is actually a line from Biggie. Of course it’s about excellence but sheds light on all the greats with “Mike” as their name.”Excellence is my presence, never tense / Never hesitant, leave a n***a bent real quick / Real sick, brawl nights, I perform like Mike / Anyone — Tyson, Jordan, Jackson…”(Photo: Ruediger Fessel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Nas, 'Legendary (Mike Tyson)' (2008) - This cut from Nas’s mixtape, prior to the release of the Untitled album, was a total ode to Tyson and even contains vocals from the boxer himself. "Pain, love and glory / Mike Tyson, never be another like him."(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
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Nas, 'Nas Is Like…' (1999) - This rhyme from his I Am... album was one of many throughout the rapper’s career referencing Tyson: ”Nas is like... Iron Mike, messiah type…”(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Ice Cube, 'Hood Mentality' (2006) - Unlike the usual Mike Tyson references about triumph and strength, Ice’s rhyme alluded more to the champion’s fall from grace.”I wanna be a sideshow, kinda like Iron Mike / Used to have a few Bentleys, now I just ride a bike…”(Photo: Warner Bros.)
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DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, 'I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson' (1989) - The whole point of this record was how ridiculous it would be for the Fresh Prince to beat Mike Tyson during his peak.”Liftin' big old cars and big bales of hay / And I jog 10,000 miles every morning / Thinkin' about Mike and my moment of glory…”(Photo: Holly Stein/Allsport)