Since the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Hip-Hop and sports have been synonymous with one another. So much so, there’s a popular saying; “ball players want to be rappers, and rappers want to be ball players.” Two decades later, that phrase is relevant more than ever.
A recent case-in-point is NBA player Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. The point-guard superstar is currently suspended indefinitely and his future in the league overall is in jeopardy. This all stems from multiple gun incidents, including the recent flashing of a firearm in a Denver nightclub while on Instagram live. The NBA is currently investigating the situation more, as the looming question is if Morant personally brought the weapon on the team plane. That verdict will ultimately determine his fate and repercussions.
Media from both sports and music have been covering the hot topic, feeling there’s no reason for the multi-million dollar basketball player to portray such a lifestyle. Hence, “ballers want to be rappers, and rappers want to be ballers.”
However, there’s a few rare cases where a ball player has successfully transitioned to an artist. One example is Story. A rising talent from Queens, NY, who played collegiate D1 basketball, as well as overseas professionally in China. Due to an injury, Story had to apply his talents towards another passion of his, music.
In just over a year, the multi-versed rapper has released a string of solid singles and visuals that have amassed thousands of plays across all DSPs. His latest comes in the form of a visual titled “Many Men,” which samples the classic 50 Cent record from “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.” It serves as a quick follow-up to his recent 917 Rackz-assisted single, “No Hook” from last month.
Unlike Morant, Story faced many struggles coming from the streets of his neighborhood — to the courts, and has a real ‘story’ to tell. Therefore, he felt what better record to speak his trials and tribulations on, than from the biggest survivor of Southside Jamaica, Curtis Jackson.
Watch the QuSquiat-directed video below and see how a real “baller turned rapper” does it!