The Best of Muhammad Ali's Rap Shoutouts
Rappers that saluted the GOAT on wax.
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The OG GOAT - In the world of hip-hop where stamina, victory, and grit are forms of inspiration there was no bigger inspiration than Muhammad Ali. The braggadocio tendencies imprinted in hip-hop’s DNA can be traced to the physically fit, yet, silver tongued Ali – who was even known to read poems at press conferences proclaiming his prowess. Sure, Ali inspired by knocking his opponents out, but his words and outspokenness trickled into hip-hop in many memorable ways. Here are our favorite GOAT references on wax. RIP, Muhammad Ali. – Jon Reyes(Photo: Stanley Weston/Getty Images)
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“You see, I got more clothes than Muhammad Ali and I dress so viciously…” – Sugarhill Gang, ‘Rapper's Delight’ - (Photo: Kent Gavin/Keystone/Getty Images)
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“America tried to emasculate the greats / Murder Malcolm, gave Cassius the shakes…” – Jay Z, ‘F.U.T.W.’ - (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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“I refugee from Guantanamo Bay/ Dance around the border like I’m Cassius Clay...” – Pras, ‘Ready or Not’ - (Photo: Wesley/Keystone/Getty Images)
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“They try to box me in like Cassius Clay / Hey I’m like Muhammad when he fasted/ Opposing the fascist, make cuts and got gashes...” – Common, ‘The Game’ - (Photo: AP Photo/John Rooney)
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“That ain’t how it’s supposed to be or butterfly / But for the sake of rhymin, let’s just say butterfly-ey / The truth stings like Muhammad Ali / I tell ’em, tell ’em don’t homicide me...” – Lupe Fiasco, ‘Till I Get There’ - (Photo: Tim Graham/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
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“A glass of 'ze make a man Cassius Clay…” – Nas, ‘The Message’ - (Photo: The Ring Magazine/Getty Images)
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“Rumble, young man, rumble / Life is a trip, so sometimes we gonna stumble…” – Jay Z, ‘Power (Remix)’ - (Photo: Norman Quicke/Express/Getty Images)
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“Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye! / I'm 'bout to rumble in the jungle in these new Kanye's / Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye! / My lawyer threw them gloves on and beat another case…” – The Game, ‘Ali Bomaye’ - (Photo: George Freston/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
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“Bunch a sweet memories to us older rap cats / Muhammad Ali knucklin in tournament…” – Slick Rick, ‘Memories’ - (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)