Whether it’s a celebrity sporting their favourite baseball team’s hat or jersey, or a popular tune used as batter walk-up music, hip hop and baseball have long enjoyed a healthy relationship.
From Joe Carter’s World Series winning home run to Tony Batista’s batting stance, the Toronto Blue Jays have drawn their share of references in the world of hip hop.
On Tuesday, Toronto’s own Drake drew on the 1993 World Series in his latest jab at Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill, as the two continue their very-public feud through social media. In his second diss track in the span of a week, Drizzy served up “Back to Back Freestyle,” complete with a cover image of Carter celebrating his walk-off home run vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.
The lesson here: Don’t beef with Drake.
With Drake’s response to Meek Mill as a jumping off point, here are 12 examples of the Blue Jays and/or former and current players earning a name drop.
Choclair – Let’s Ride
The Canadian music industry would have failed us without a proper nod to Joe Carter’s walk-off blast to left field versus the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Thank you, Choclair.
Well it’s the ninth inning
With two outs I hit a home run to left field like Carter did to Philly
Do you understand me? Ha, really?
Ultramagnetic MC’s – We are the Horsemen
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Dave Winfield in the winter of 1991. He played an integral role on the club that went on to win the 1992 World Series. Ultramagnetic MC’s referenced the Hall of Famer’s fielding ability and the Blue Jays on this 1993 song.
Winfield made all but a handful of his starts as a DH in 1992, so we’re not sure how to interpret this.
Toronto Blue Jays, field, just like Dave Winfield
Pick up your bat and go to third, I see that man at the plate, he’s waitin’ home
John Legend ft. Rick Ross – Who Do We Think We Are
Rogers Clemens’ time in Toronto could be accurately described as brief and dominant. Two years, two Cy Young Awards…and like that, he’s gone.
Rick Ross references Clemens on this 2013 John Legend track.
Dodging Robin Givens, balling like I’m Roger Clemens
Still in the game, uniform all linen
Game – All I Know
The Game, for whatever reason, name drops Bernie Madoff, Adolf Hitler, and Roy Halladay in succession on the track “All I Know” from his 2011 record The R.E.D. Album. At least he was on point with Halladay and the strikeouts and never taking a day off bit.
Money like Madoff, Kill em like Adolf, Roy Halladay
I’ll let a (expletive) K off, and I don’t take a (expletive) day off…
Wordburglar – Croque Monsieur
The Game isn’t the only artist to name drop Roy Halladay. Halifax rapper Wordburglar mentioned the former Blue Jays’ ace on his track “Croque Monsieur.”
Can I get a five like Laurier
Cause being boring is so cliche
Oh, behave
I stay on the mound like Halladay
When I see an alien I say, “Salame!””
From salad days
To all you can eat luncheons
Get attention like “F-Bombs” at family functions
Maestro Fresh Wes – Certs Wid Out Da Retsyn
Canadian rap icon Maestro Fresh Wes referenced the Blue Jays on his 1994 album Naaah, Dis Kid Can’t Be from Canada?!!.
When I said the mic’s my piece I really meant it
So just like the Blue Jays, I’m out to win the pennant
J. Cole – Dead Presidents II
Jose Canseco played just one season with the Blue Jays in 1998, but he did swat 46 home runs and lead the league in strikeouts with 159. It was a memorable season.
J. Cole is one of many artists to reference the former American League MVP, albeit in a seemingly pejorative manner.
It’s J. Cole, set of horns and a halo
And all these Jose Canseco’s wanna text-us like Waco
Drake – Headlines
“Headlines,” the second single from Drake’s second album (Take Care), doesn’t actually reference the Toronto Blue Jays. The video, though, was shot in Rogers Centre.
Fat Tony – Hood Party
Drake’s role as an ambassador for the Toronto Raptors has spread to the city’s other professional sports franchises, as evidenced by the advent of the verb “Drakeing” in Fat Tony’s “Hood Party.”
Pays to be amazingly flavory, gaze into my Dazed and Confused Blu-ray
I’m Drakeing it for the Blue Jays, making it one of two ways
Buck 65 – While I’m Young
An avid baseball, Buck 65 (or Rich Terfry) has often referenced the game in his music. He’s even penned a tribute to Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista. The track “While I’m Young” from his 2001 release Synesthesia takes a more obscure route when he name drops former Blue Jay and Expos third baseman Tony Batista and his unorthodox batting stance.
I didn’t start the religion I’m only a priest
In a B-Boy stance like Tony Batista
Riff Raff feat. Action Bronson – Rookies of the Future
Houston rapper Riff Raff teamed with Action Bronson on a track titled “Blue Jays.”
Tryna see a better day
I could have played for the Blue Jays
Balling in a major way
SC Static and Zoo – Third Degree
Not sure how Carlos Delgado gets lumped in with hash and cocaine but the former Blue Jays slugger gets a nod from New York based hip hop duo SC Static and Zoo.
My flow’s tougher than the south side of Chicago
As I lay down golden bars like the road to Eldorado
My hash from Maraca, Miami to New York, Carlos Delgado
My powder rocky, mountains in Colorado
