Music and fighting go hand-in-hand. Whether it is the blaring sounds during training, or having a ritual of a certain song as an anthem before entering the ring, athletes have tendencies to utilize music in their careers.
With UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley recently releasing his "I'll Beat Yo' Ass" single featuring multi-platinum rapper Wiz Khalifa, we look at five other fighters who have released music during their fight careers.
Danny "Swift" Garcia
Philadelphia's former two-division champion Danny "Swift" Garcia also has friends in the recording arts industry with platinum-status including Jadakiss, Fabolous French Montana and Meek Mill.
Garcia has been interviewed by numerous Hip Hop websites and blogs about rapping when he was younger. Garcia has also launched his own record label Swift Attraction Music/DSG Music, signing rapper Knox and Garcia's little sisters, SiAngie Twins.
Adrien Broner
With numerous legal issues and controversies surrounding the outspoken boxer, Adrien "The Problem" Broner is the likeliest of the listed entries to fit the bill of a stereotypical rapper. Broner would also frequently have rappers perform during his ring entrances.
The About Billions product would often be compared to Floyd Mayweather when it comes to flashiness and style, with Mayweather often being included in lines of rap songs.
Broner has also launched his own record label, BandCamp, featuring rappers Butta, BadAzzLuck and former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr.
Broner has also allegedly recorded music with previous entry Danny Garcia, plus has multiple videos on hip hop blog/site World Star Hip Hop.
Pawel "Popek Monster" Rak
Previous to fighting in MMA, Popek was a member of rap group Firma, recording six albums with the group, one of them gold in their home country of Poland (selling over 10,000 copies).
Popek began fighting in mixed martial arts for the Cage Rage promotion in 2008, and took an eight-year hiatus before returning to Polish promotion KSW.
Rak also released solo albums beginning in 2007. Popek also went gold with his third album, "Monster," in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Popek has notably collaborated with such artists as Professor Green, Wiley, The Game and Sean Price.
John Cena
After Cena's meteoric rise after debuting for WWE, we were introduced to 'The Doctor of Thuganomics' in 2002.
In 2004, we first got to hear the true talent of Cena's microphone ability on the WWE Originals soundtrack in his song/theme 'Basic Thuganomics.' The album ultimately reached the number 12 spot on the Billboard 200. Cena also added another track to ThemeAddict: WWE The Music Volume 6.
In 2005, Cena and cousin, long-time collaborator Tha Trademarc released their debut studio album 'You Can't See Me,' leading with their single and Cena's current entrance theme 'The Time is Now.' The album debuted at number 15 on Billboard 200 charts, ultimately selling 1.34 million copies, making Cena a platinum-selling hip-hop artist.
Cena has also collaborated with Wiz Khalifa, Jake One, Murs, Bumpy Knuckles and Big Daddy Kane.
Roy Jones Jr.
Four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. began his music career in 2001. Less than a month after knocking out Glen Kelly to defend his unified light heavyweight title, Jones Jr. released his debut album 'Round One: The Album,' with the lead single 'That Was Then,' which peaked at number 2 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.
More notably, the album featured the music video for 'Ya'll Must've Forgot.'
Jones Jr. followed up this up by creating group Body Head Bangers with songs featuring the likes of YoungBloodz, Juvenile, Lil Flip, Bun B and Petey Pablo.
Comments