Numerous professional athletes on this list have amassed a remarkable collection of awards and honors—including national championships, prestigious trophies, MVP awards, and enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. However, these athletes aspired to reach a new level of fame, this time through their musical talents.
Some succeeded in their musical endeavors, while others faced challenges. They discovered that excelling in one area does not guarantee success in another. Below, we explore athletes who ventured into music, whether their attempts led to triumphs or shortcomings. Prepare to be surprised by which Heavyweight World Champion tried his hand at rapping!
Allen Iverson
In 2000, Allen Iverson debuted his rap career under the name “Jewelz,” releasing a single titled “40 Bars.” However, the song faced severe criticism for its violent, misogynistic, and homophobic lyrics. NBA Commissioner David Stern threatened repercussions, urging Iverson to amend the lyrics before the release of his full album.
The 11-time NBA All-Star later apologized to women and the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “If a kid thinks that I promote violence through my lyrics, I urge them not to buy or listen to it.” Ultimately, Iverson scrapped the album entirely, stepping away from his musical ambitions.
Shaquille O’Neal
After just one year in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal ventured into music, signing with Jive Records in 1993. His debut album Shaq Diesel included party hits and achieved platinum status.
In collaboration with renowned artists like Method Man, RZA, and Redman, his follow-up album, Shaq Fu: Da Return, went gold. Despite releasing four additional albums, they failed to reach similar success, even with guest appearances by notable rappers like Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls. Nonetheless, in 2010, he surprised fans with a freestyle dissing Kobe Bryant, showcasing his talent in music before ultimately stepping back from his rap career.
Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya made waves in his boxing debut with a stunning first-round TKO. His music career kicked off in 2000 with a self-titled Latin pop album that soared to No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart and even received a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album, although it did not win.
Despite this promising start, his music career faltered. Critics deemed the album, which featured a cover of a Bee Gees’ song, as overly “cheesy,” leading to its premature end while his boxing career continued to thrive.
Bronson Arroyo
Following a shoulder injury that cut his career short, Bronson Arroyo turned to music. While playing for the Boston Red Sox in 2004, he and his teammates joined the Dropkick Murphys to perform “Tessie.”
This inspired Arroyo to pursue his own music career, leading to the release of his debut album Covering the Bases in 2005, which featured acoustic renditions of grunge classics. The album reached No. 2 on the Heatseekers chart, yet he never released further music. Arroyo would not be the only baseball pitcher to achieve musical success…
Barry Zito
World Series Champion Barry Zito hails from a family of musicians—his father was a jazz conductor, his mother backed Nat King Cole, and his sister, Sally Zito, is a country singer. He picked up guitar at 21 and began writing while traveling between games, earning playful jabs from teammates for it.
After retiring, Zito joined his sister’s band, later going solo with his debut EP No Secrets, a fusion of folk and country, released in February 2017. His music debuted on the Billboard charts and he has since performed several sold-out shows.
Macho Man Randy Savage
Macho Man Randy Savage was well-known for his flamboyant persona in professional wrestling and surprised fans by releasing a rap album at the age of 50 in 2003, shortly after retiring from wrestling.
His sole album, Be A Man, was launched by Big 3 Records during a time when the music industry embraced risks. Savage had a deep passion for hip-hop and believed he could sell millions. However, despite his earnest effort, the album flopped and received criticism from fans and critics alike.
Clint Dempsey A.K.A. “Deuce”
Clint Dempsey played a pivotal role in revitalizing the US Men’s National Soccer Team and was hailed as one of the top American players in England after joining the EPL. In 2006, under the name “Deuce,” he collaborated with Texas rappers to create the song “Don’t Tread,” promoting the 2006 World Cup.
The track received acclaim for its positive message, propelling Dempsey to explore rap further. He dropped various freestyles and in 2014, released the single “It’s Poppin” from his full-length album The Redux, earning praise while donating proceeds to the Texas Food Bank, which assists underprivileged children.
Bernie Williams
Bernie Williams is a highly decorated MLB player with four World Series titles. After retirement, he dedicated himself to his passion for jazz guitar, an interest dating back to when he picked up the instrument at eight years old. During his time in the Yankees, however, he set music aside for his baseball career.
In 2003, he released his first album, showcasing a blend of jazz and rock that climbed to No. 3 on the Contemporary Jazz Charts. His 2009 follow-up album was even more successful, reaching No. 2. He returned to music education after retiring, earning a Bachelor’s in Jazz Composition from MSM.
Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders was a notable dual-sport athlete, excelling in football and baseball, but his foray into music was brief. In 1994, he released a rap album titled Prime Time which garnered largely negative reviews, despite standard sales.
The standout track, “Must be the Money,” was a catchy but cheesy hit that featured a ludicrous video of Sanders in a hot pink suit flaunting his riches. In 2005, he released an album featuring remixes from Prime Time, but it did not fare much better.
Alexi Lalas
Though he earned accolades in Major League Soccer, music has always played a significant role in Alexi Lalas’ life. He performed in a rock band called The Gypsies during college, even opening for Hootie and the Blowfish.
Lalas has released three albums via CMC International: Ginger (1998), Far from Close (2008), and Infinity Spaces (2014). His latest release received acclaim, establishing him as a remarkable songwriter. In 2015, he took a break from music, transitioning to a role as an analyst on Fox Sports.
Cedric Benson A.K.A. DJ World Peace
After injuring his foot in 2011, NFL star Cedric Benson found a creative outlet as a DJ while in Austin. Under the moniker DJ World Peace, he performed at numerous clubs, predominantly in strip clubs. Notably, his nighttime activities gained attention when a promotional flyer for one of these events circulated online.
While Benson never returned to football, he continued to DJ at various events, expanding his repertoire to rooftop parties and underground festivals. His last known event promotion was in 2014, leaving fans uncertain about his current DJ endeavors. Interestingly, he isn’t the only player named “World Peace” to pursue a music career.
Metta World Peace
In 2006, basketball player Metta World Peace (formerly known as Ronald William Artest Jr.) launched a rap album titled My World under Lightyear Records. The album featured collaborations with celebrities such as P. Diddy, Juvenile, and his cousin Capone.
Despite not selling particularly well, he did not give up on his aspirations. He founded his own label, Tru Warier, producing various rap and R&B albums—including three albums from the group Allure and several of his own tracks. Although sales remained modest, he gained respect and is acknowledged as a legitimate figure in the rap scene.
The 1985 Chicago Bears
In 1985, the Chicago Bears enjoyed a near-flawless season. Confident in their impending Super Bowl victory, the team released a rap song titled “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” featuring a full brass band and saxophone solos, three months before their triumph in Super Bowl XX. The single peaked at No. 41 on Billboard.
Nearly the entire team participated, except for a few who felt that the pre-victory anthem was overly presumptuous. The accompanying music video achieved over a million copies sold, with proceeds benefiting Chicago families in need. It received a Grammy nomination for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal,” but ultimately lost to Prince.
Chris Webber
Former NBA player Chris Webber had a brief foray into rap as “C. Webber,” releasing his lone album, 2 Much Drama, in 1999. The single “Gangsta, Gangsta,” featuring rapper Kurupt, peaked at #10 on the Hot Rap Singles Chart.
Unfortunately, the album did not achieve significant success. Webber later attempted a career in music production, notably creating a beat for hip-hop artist Nas, which turned out to be his first and only production credit when it appeared on Nas’s 2007 compilation, Greatest Hits..
John Cena
WWE Heavyweight World Champion John Cena is known for his catchphrase “You can’t see me.” In 2005, he released his debut rap album aptly titled You Can’t See Me through WWE Music Group and Columbia Records.
Debuting at number 15 on the Billboard 200, the album sold 40,000 copies within its first week and later climbed to platinum status. However, critical reception was less favorable, with comparisons drawn to the infamous rap artist Vanilla Ice.
Iman Shumpert A.K.A. 2wo 1ne
Fans caught glimpses of Iman Shumpert‘s musical talents during his time with the Knicks when he released the track “Knicks Clique.” In 2015, Shumpert produced a music video for “Promised,” featuring his wife Teyana Taylor, which quickly garnered over 200,000 views and generally positive reactions, though critics were underwhelmed.
Nonetheless, adopting the stage name 2wo 1ne, Shumpert has released multiple singles and a mixtape. His 2016 release “His Story” sparked considerable attention due to a poignant line about following in Colin Kaepernick’s footsteps and taking a knee during the anthem.
Wayman Tisdale
In 1995, while playing for the Phoenix Suns, Wayman Tisdale released his inaugural album, Power Forward, through Motown Records. A multi-talented musician, he primarily showcased his skills as a jazz bassist. Following his basketball retirement in 1997, Tisdale dedicated himself fully to music, producing eight albums.
His 2010 album, Face to Face, hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. In 2002, he was honored with the Legacy Tribute Award from the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Tragically, he was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2007, leading to the amputation of his right leg, after which he managed to release an album. He passed away shortly after planning a return to the studio.
Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Arroyo, an NBA player, embarked on a musical journey in 2009 with his debut reggaeton track, “Oculto Secreto,” released through his independent label Arroyo Hit Music. Though it initially went unnoticed, his subsequent single “Se Va Conmigo,” featuring established reggaeton artist Yomo, gained traction.
Although the song had heavy autotune, it became a catchy radio hit, reaching #45 on the Billboard Latin Digital Songs chart. A remixed version with “Queen of Reggaeton” Ivy Queen peaked at #13 on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Digital Songs chart. Apart from a collaboration with Probably Pablo on “Imaginarme,” Arroyo has not released additional music.
Mike Reid
Former NFL lineman Mike Reid found success in both football and music, earning a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He graduated with a BA in music from Penn State and played piano with several professional orchestras.
After an injury led him to retire from football in 1974, he committed to his musical career, writing over 30 chart-topping country and pop hits. Among them was Ronnie Milsap’s Grammy-winning “Stranger in My House.” In 1990, he topped the charts with “Walk on Faith,” which he also performed. He composed music for the musical The Ballad of Little Jo, which premiered in 2017.
Darren McCarty
During his time in the NHL, Darren McCarty also pursued a musical career as the lead singer of the rock band Grinder. Named after the Detroit Red Wings’ “Grind Line,” the band gained popularity in the Midwest, performing for crowds of up to 12,000 at events like the Arts, Beats and Eats festival in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 2003, Grinder released their debut album Gotta Keep Moving, recorded at the studio of McCarty’s friend Kid Rock and produced by Al Sutton of Rustbelt Studio. After battling alcoholism, McCarty chose to leave music behind upon getting sober, now only performing at karaoke.
