There are no shortages of NBA references in Hip-Hop. Whether it is Jay Z saying “If Jeezy’s paying Lebron, I’m paying Dwyane Wade” on “New York State of Mind” in 2009 or Drake rhyming “How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m Lebron?” in 2018 on “Nonstop”; there are plenty of great lines that pay homage to NBA greats and great NBA teams. Lebron and the Heat/Cavs, Kobe and the Lakers, and Michael Jordan and the Bulls are by far the most referenced players and teams in Hip-Hop.
But the Dallas Mavericks have plenty of great references in Hip-Hop. Here are the top 10 Dallas Mavericks references in Hip-Hop.
7. a lot – 21 Savage (Feat. J. Cole)
“…I pray for Markelle ’cause they f*cked up his shot
Just want you to know that you got it, my n*gga
Though I never met you, I know that you special
And that the Lord blessed you, don’t doubt it, my n*gga
Dennis Smith Jr., stay solid, my n*gga
I’m on a tangent, not how I planned it…” – J. Cole
This song is the first track on 21 Savage’s I am > I was album. J. Cole is featured and he takes time to give a shout out to Dennis Smith Jr who, at the time of this song’s release, was still a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
6. Feelin’ Myself – Nicki Minaj (Feat. Beyonce)
…I’m with some hood girls lookin’ back at it
And a good girl in my tax bracket (Uh)
Got a black card that’ll let Saks have it
These Chanel bags is a bad habit
I-I do balls, Dal Mavericks
My Maybach, black matted (Uh)… – Nicki Minaj
Nicki links up with Houston native Beyonce on this record. Even though the Houston Rockets are Beyonce’s hometown team, Nicki mentions the Dallas area NBA instead which is most definitely a cool line.
5. Crazy in Love – Beyonce (Feat. Jay. Z)
…Stick bony, but the pockets is fat like Tony Soprano (Oh, no)
The ROC handle like Van Exel
I shake phonies man you can’t get next to… – Jay-Z
In this line, Jay-Z likens the handling of his record label (Roc-A-Fella Records) to the handles of Nick Van Exel who was a member of the Dallas Mavericks when this song was released. Van Exel most notably had a strong run in 2003 NBA Playoffs where he average nearly 20ppg. During the series against the Sacramento Kings, Van Exel scored 36 and 40 points in games 2 and 3. His performance is a large reason why the Dallas Mavericks would go on to win the series in 7 games to advance to their first Western Conference Finals.
4. Album of the Year (Freestyle) – J. Cole
…Like “Yoo-hoo” with a new-new ridin’ passenger
Shout out Oak Cliff, I’m ’bout to fly to Dallas
Decade from now I might just buy the Mavericks
What up, Mark Cuban?
I am only part human, half-man, half-amazing… – J. Cole
J. Cole and former Maverick, Dennis Smith Jr, are both from North Carolina. They have a well documented friendship. J. Cole admittedly became a Mavs fan when Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by Dallas in 2017. In this song, J. Cole plays with the idea of one day buying the Mavericks from current owner Mark Cuban.
3. Going Bad – Meek Mill (Feat. Drake)
…I could fit like 80 racks in my Amiris (80 racks)
Me and Drizzy back-to-back, it’s gettin’ scary (Back-to-back)
If you f****’ with my opps, just don’t come near me (Get outta my way)
Put some bands all on your head like Jason Terry… – Meek Mill
Jason Terry has played on 6 NBA Teams during his 19 years in the NBA. He is most known for his 8 years he spent as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. It was with the Mavs where he won an NBA Championship in 2011. Jason Terry always wore a headband while playing. Meek Mill gives Terry a nice shout out on this Going Bad.
2. This Is the Way I Live – Baby Boy Da Prince
…Six months later now we’re big dog status
Name elevated but I still act average
Rockin’ shows in Dallas, ball like I play for the Mavericks
West Bank rapper and I’m one of the baddest… – Baby Boy Da Prince
Baby Boy Da Prince provides possibly the most underrated Dallas Mavericks shout out of all. This 2006 song is a classic for many largely because it features one of the most catchy hooks of its time. At the time of this song’s release, the Dallas Mavericks were fresh off the franchise’s 1st NBA Finals appearance and they were in the middle of Dirk Nowitzki’s MVP 2006-2007 season. It was very fitting that Baby Boy Da Prince referenced the Mavs because they were one of the best teams in the league at the time.
1. March Madness – Future
…We ballin’ like the March Madness (let’s get it)
All these cops shootin’ n****s, tragic
I’m the one that’s livin’ lavish
Like I’m playin’ for the Mavericks… – Future
This track has become the unofficial theme song of the NCAA Tournament. Future gives the Dallas Mavs a nice shoutout while delivering a legendary hook over a beat produced by Tarentino. March Madness by Future is the obvious #1 Dallas Mavericks reference in hip hop.
