It’s no secret that Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. Basketball is not just a game, it is a culture. In recent years, many basketball songs have been born to accompany the digital basketball dreams of athletes and fans alike. We‘ve put together a list of 15 songs that celebrate everything about basketball. From classic to modern songs, this list has it all. So whether you’re a fan of the sport or just love the music, be sure to check out our list of the best songs for basketball.
Champions- Ron Artest
If you are living through the big moments then this song is for you. It also fits any basketball player both on and off the court. Said to be one of the best rap tracks by an NBA player ever, “Champions” focuses on the game’s biggest and brightest moments. This is also the song that was named the best on the 2K11 playlist. It was released after the Lakers’ championship last season against the Celtics. To celebrate the iconic rivalry, Ron Artest gave away one of the best songs for basketball ever.
He Got Game- Public Enemy
If you feel this song is familiar, it’s probably because it comes from a movie of the same name. Inspired by the Spike Lee Joint movie, this song makes you think about life both on and off the field. Public Enemy not only sang this song for He Got Game but for the entire soundtrack. So, if you liked this movie, you’ll probably be a fan of the whole song.
Lose Yourself- Eminem
Eminem’s Lose Yourself is a song about a young man’s struggles trying to rise in the world of professional basketball. He had to leave his family to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA. No matter how many difficulties piled up, he never gave up on his dream. The song is an inspirational song for those who have struggled to achieve their dreams. It’s a reminder that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard and never give up.
Roundball Rock- John Tesh
Roundball Rock is an anthem for the game of basketball. The lyrics express the excitement and energy of the game. The song references some of the greatest players and moments in basketball history, creating a song that is both nostalgic and timeless. Roundball Rock has become an anthem for basketball fans around the world and is growing in popularity.
Heart Of A Champion- Nelly
Heart Of A Champion is a song that praises the spirit of facing obstacles to achieve success. The song is about a young basketball player who is struggling to find his place on the team. Despite the challenges he faced, he never gave up and eventually became the star of the team. The inspirational song is sure to make listeners feel motivated to follow their dreams.
Jump Around- House of Pain
This is also one of the songs for basketball. Jump Around is a song by an American hip-hop group. The song was released in 1992 on the group’s debut album. It quickly achieved success, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s.
Space Jam- Quad City DJ’s
Indispensable in the list of songs for basketball is Space Jam. In 1996, the American animated film Space Jam was released starring basketball legend Michael Jordan. The film’s soundtrack quickly became a classic. The song expresses the praise of basketball and the excitement and freedom of playing. The song is full of energy, encapsulating the joy of playing basketball perfectly.
Ridiculous- Kyrie Irving
Ridiculous is a song that tells the story of how the main character became a basketball star. He is always the last to be picked for the teams and has to work harder than the others to make it to the top. He was very persistent and eventually became one of the best basketball players in the world. “Ridiculous” is an inspirational song that encourages people to never give up on their dreams.
Wings- Macklemore x Ryan Lewis
Wings is a song by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis that peaked at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is about a team of homeless people in Seattle playing basketball together. Macklemore said that, after meeting one of those players and hearing his story, he was strongly inspired to write this song. In the article, he talks about how society despises them, seeing them as “failures”. But they never gave up on their dreams.
Sirius- 90’s Bulls Intro Theme
One of the songs for basketball is Sirius. If you don’t get chills when this song plays, you’ve probably been a fan of any other NBA team in the ’90s. Now, NBA teams, college teams, and high school teams are all featured. this iconic song. It will make your heart skip a beat every time the arena simultaneously emerges to welcome you to the arena.
Basketball Shoes- Black Country, New Road
Basketball Shoes is a song performed by Black Country, New Road- a relatively new band, formed in 2018. However, they have made a significant impact with the song “Basketball Shoes”. The song is about basketball and expresses the frustration of playing it. The lyrics are sharp and intense, to the point. They used their passion for basketball to create a truly brilliant song.
I Know I Got Skillz- Shaq
Shaq is a former NBA player who holds the title of best, undeniably one of the greatest players of all time. However, a lot of people don’t know that he is also a rap singer. Although not very successful, he is also very talented. In the song “I Know I Got Skillz,” Shaquille O’Neal talked about her experience as a basketball player. He describes that he can use his athletic abilities to create a new life for himself.
Shaq also talked about how basketball has given him the to travel the world and meet new people. The song is a tribute to the game of basketball and its ability to bring people together. It is also a reminder that hard work and dedication can eventually pay off.
Remember The Name- Fort Minor
Remember The Name is a song about basketball. The song starts with the phrase “Are you ready?”Let’s go!” sets the tone for the rest of the song. It’s a song about how exciting basketball can be and how hard players have to work to get there. The chorus of the song talks about how “they” will remember the name of the top person, which is a clear reference to how people will remember successful people in life.
Basketball- Kurtis Blow
It would be remiss not to mention Basketball in the list of best songs for basketball. In the 1980s, hip hop was a new and exciting genre that was just beginning to make its mark in the music industry. One of the most groundbreaking hits of this era was “Basketball” by Kurtis Blow. The song praises basketball as well as the skills of the players. However, the song also contains a social commentary message, as it refers to more and more young people leaving their homes to pursue their dream of playing professional basketball.
Swish Swish- Katy Perry ft Katy Perry
This is the last song in the songs for basketball list. In this song, Katy Perry talks about how a basketball team is running away and the opposing team is trying to catch up. However, no matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to make any progress. The song’s chorus refers to a popular quote about being unstoppable to someone who is adamant, and that’s exactly what Katy Perry is trying to say about the situation. She is determined to win, and no one can stop her.
To sum up, that’s a compilation of 15 of the best basketball songs of all time. Do you know any songs on this list? Is there a song you love that is not on this list? Leave a comment and we’ll add it as soon as possible.
