16 years later, ‘B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret’ has remained a secret

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.

Rony Seikaly releasing his first single

Rony Seikaly played in the NBA for 11 seasons, having quite a solid career with the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic. His career came to an end after a brief stint with the New Jersey Nets in 1999. During his career Seiklay posted career averages of 14.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, in today’s game, Seikaly is an All-Star Center every season with those types of numbers.

Hailing from Beruit, Lebanon, Seikaly is the only Lebanese-born player in league history.

After his career, Seikaly made Miami his home and has played a role in a lot of the nightlife in South Beach. Seikaly invests in numerous bars down in South Beach and is also a DJ. I’m sure if LeBron James and Chris Bosh haven’t met Seikaly yet, Dwyane Wade will be introducing them

Seikaly is currently on an international tour DJing around the world, and on Aug. 3, he’ll be releasing his first single, “Come With Me,” which feature vocals by Polina (not sure who she is). The song has a nice groove to it, I can see it being played at upscale martini lounges where I wouldn’t be allowed to wear my throwback Seikaly jersey.

I’ve been known to tell DJ’s that they suck, but seeing that Seikaly is 6-foot-11, even if I didn’t like the song, I’d keep my mouth shut.

Nice work Rony, keep the jams coming.

Props, Ball Don’t Lie

Artest teams up with T-Pain for remix

When the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title last month, besides thanking his psychiatrist, one of the first things Ron Artest mentioned was his single “Champions,” which he says he recorded in June of 2009, before joining The Lake Show.

Artest realesed the song a few days after the victory, and surprisingly, it’s a pretty good song. Considering Artest’s rap career hasn’t panned out well, this song could serve as a note that Ron-Ron isn’t too shabby, or at least growing as an artist.

Since the Lakers did win the title in a dramatic seven game fashion, and with Artest now in the spotlight in Los Angeles, he is also able to take this track to new levels. He teamed up with one of the hottest acts in music, T-Pain, to put out a remix — supposedly more remixes are on the way as well.

The track is rated “R” for language, so listen with caution.

DFW Digs Dirk enough to make a song

One of the most accomplished free agents is Dalls Mavericks’ forward Dirk Nowitzki. A former MVP who led the Mavericks to the 2006 NBA Finals. He’s also scored over 20,000 points in his career. Still going strong, Dirk is one of the league’s top players and a staple in Mavs’ history. By next season, the 32 year-old Nowitzki will be in the league’s top 20 scorers of all-time, but the question is, does Dirk still think he can win a title in Dallas?

Nowitzki made his way back from Germany, (rather than having Mavs’ GM Donnie Nelson come to him) stopping in New York for a dinner with teammate Jason Kidd, and then on to Dallas where he will be greeted by the entire city, which is hosting DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) Digs Dirk Week.

Maverick’s fan Ben Rogers’ even churned out the official “DFW Digs Dirk” theme song. This thing is a whole lot better than a bunch of saps in Cleveland pleading to LeBron, that’s for sure.

Expect Dirk to get a 4-year deal worth close to $100 million. He’ll be back Dallas, no worries.

DIGGY.

The kid is ONLY 14 years old. He’ll be 15 in a couple of days.

Seriously, he is ill. Probably the best kid I’ve ever heard rap. No ringtone ish, REAL HIP-HOP.

Want more? Check Diggy’s first mixtape out, it’s DOPE!

Props to my dude Big Red for inspiring me to post this tonight.

B.o.B – “Nothin’ on You”

Here’s the official video for B.o.B’s “Nothin’ On You,” which features Bruno Mars on the chorus. This song is the official coming out party for the Atlanta emcee, who is about to take pop radio airwaves by storm with this track.

This is the best song of a young 2010, plus the video is pretty ill too.

“We’ll Always Love Big Poppa”

13 years.

Rest in Peace BIG.

KanYe West – “Coldest Winter”

By now, you know I am down with Kanye West. Everyone else might “hate” him, but they’re nuts. The guy is a musical mastermind and one of the truest artists in pop culture, hip-hop and so far beyond. He is true to himself, his art and the music and puts so much into every aspect of his music.

“Coldest Winter” is a deep song from West. A song about the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West, who died in the winter of 2007. Kanye’s approach to his music, videos and performances is out of this world.

DOPE.

David Guetta – “Memories”

Over the past year, I’ve really taken a liking to dance music. I mean, I always liked quite a few songs here and there, but most recently, it’s become a part of my everyday rotation. My weekends generally consist of listening to David Guetta songs and fist pumping like crazy.

Obviously, a collaboration with Guetta and one of my favorite hip-hop artists, Kid Cudi is only going to make it into all of my playlists. The two have released a video to the hit song “Memories.”

Guetta might be pretty goofy looking, but the guy is insanely talented and makes some incredible music.

WARNING: Video contains some PG-13 language.