U.S. World Cup team could turn to hip-hop if this soccer thing doesn’t work out First, let’s agree that 99 times out of 100, athletes rapping is a bad, bad idea. Exhibit A: UConn hoops player Ed Nelson. And no, we have not forgotten Shaq, nor will we forgive. But behold U.S. World Cup soccer player Clint Dempsey, aka “Deuce,” who has recorded a pretty decent rap song, “Don’t Tread on This,” as part of a Nike campaign. The company’s reps heard him freestyling and proposed the idea. Before you scoff at the notion of a suburban soccer kid making a rap video, Dempsey grew up in modest surroundings in Nacogdoches, Texas. Sadly, the Houston rapper he made the video with, Big Hawk, was shot and killed in May. Give credit to Nike for a gutsy move that will pay off if the U.S. can make a run at the World Cup. —Posted by Brian Morrissey

June 9, 2006 in Morrissey | Permalink

Comments

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You've gotta be kiddin me. That song is complete crap and embarassing. Go win some soccer games first.

Posted by: tom | Jun 9, 2006 9:53:02 AM

The decline of Ed Nelson:

2002: ACC basketball rookie of the year while playing for Georgia Tech

2004-2006: Bench warmer for Uconn

2006: Becomes the brunt of jokes after recording a horrible (not to mention sexist and homophobic) "rap" single.

2006: After failing at basketball, pursues an NFL football career and is immediately cut because he has difficulty "picking up football terminology."

Posted by: TunaTacoGrande | Jun 9, 2006 11:47:16 AM

this might be the worst song ever. and the video sux too. YUCK. Nike and the US team look pathetic with this one...

Posted by: | Jun 9, 2006 1:16:46 PM

Notice how the haters always cover their identity. What are the odds they hate all rap?

This is a decent video and song. Deuce isn't the most compelling rapper but when I first saw this, I didn't know who he was because I don't keep up with soccer. But he fit in a way that makes sense now that I've heard a little bit of the backstory as opposed to an opportunist like Shaq.

Thanks for that.

For more on the passing of Hawk aka Big Hawk, you can check my not so pro blog, Hip Hop Logic:
http://www.netweed.com/hiphoplogic/2006_06_01_archive.html#114977591671749695

Thanks again.

Posted by: Clyde Smith | Jun 9, 2006 2:54:30 PM

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