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Marvin Bagley III; Photo: USA Today
Basketball and hip-hop are inseparable, which is why it’s no surprise that every season you’ll see a ball player trying their hand at the rap game; Damian Lillard for example is an avid lyricist, recently releasing a second full-length, and this year LA Laker rookie Lonzo Ball found himself dabbling in the trade.
This time around it’s Duke freshman sensation Marvin Bagley III.
Bagley III is projected to be a top five pick in next year’s draft, possibly ranking No 1. But based on a rap he uploaded to his SoundCloud page he might want to consider keeping his options open just in case things don’t work out. Over Fabulous’ 2010 hip-hop anthem “Breathe” (the same title Bagley gives his song) Bagley unleashes a solid flow, rapping about his rise to fame.
Bagley opens first with the hook. It’s a little dry, but as soon as the beat smashes in he rhymes like he’s been doing it his whole life. It’s your classic hype song — not too heady but sharp enough to seize the attention of curious rap fans.
Aiming to silence his naysayers Bagley raps:
I keep my circle tight, the ones I started with are the ones I’m riding with/Trying to cut the circulation off I need some oxygen/Man you know I’m hot again/Snapping on these records, they was talking reckless left me hanging like a necklace
Keeping it positive and clean, he opts to steer clear of the vulgarities. It’s a good look for the basketball players who moonlight as rappers, which is to say that it’s only a matter of time before you see one chart or at the very least gain credible headway in the rap game.
Will it be Bagley III? Only time will tell.
