Back when I was in seventh grade, a kid in one of my classes told me of an album called B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret. Obviously, the best kept secret in the NBA is players’ ability to rap, considering we haven’t seen many that can actually do it, or at least do it well. When he told me of this CD, he knew that he was going to get eight bucks out of me, and that he did. I bought it off of him the next day when he brought it into school.
Since that moment in 1995, the album has been a part of my life. The songs have been a part of my iPod, but unfortunately most of my friends and most people in the world don’t know that this gem exists.
The album contains 16 tracks, 11 of which have NBA players rapping. This 1994 disc has songs by former NBAers like Dana Barros, Cedric Ceballos and even the late Malik Sealy, along with a cast of others. Even the league’s current old men, Jason Kidd and Shaquille O’Neal drop some rhymes. It’s only fitting that Shaq has a joint on this, he’s the best NBA rapper ever.
The most notable tracks on the album are Chris Mills’ ”Sumptin to Groove To,” Brian Shaw’s ”Anything Can Happen” and Ceballos’ “Flow On.” If I was going to tell you to avoid a track, it’d be JR Rider’s “Funk in the Trunk.” All in all, it’s not that bad of an album and more importantly if you’re a hoops fan, it’s a must listen. The songs have that mid-90′s hip-hop feel to them and most of these songs are better than the crap they play on the radio today.
Want the tracklisting along with YouTube links to each song? Check the jump.
B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret (1995)
(Tracklisting with YouTube links)
1. Hip Hop Basketball Genie (Intro)
2. Check It (by Dana Barros)
3. Lost in the Sauce (by Malik Sealy)
4. Mic Check 1-2 (by Shaquille O’Neal feat. Ill Al Skratch)
5. Earl the Goat (Bobbito Skit)
6. Flow On (by Cedric Ceballos feat. Warren G)
7. Anything Can Happen (by Brian Shaw)
8. Sumptin’ to Groove To (by Chris Mills)
9. From the Bay to L.A. (Interlude)
10. What the Kidd Didd (by Jason Kidd feat. Money-B)
11. Funk in the Trunk (by J.R. Rider)
12. Phat Swoosh (Bobbito Skit)
13. All Night Party (by Dennis Scott)
14. Livin’ Legal and Large (by Gary Payton)
15. DJ S and S Presents (Skit)
16. Ya Don’t Stop (by Dana Barros and Cedric Ceballos feat. Grand Puba, Sadat X, AG and Diamond D)
