Recently the world has lost yet another iconic figure to death. Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers to step foot in the ring. His excellence showed every time he laced up his gloves. Beyond being a sports and entertainment legend, Ali was a cultural icon and national treasure. His impact reached all over the globe, and he is a role model for many people for many aspects of life. Hip-Hop has been impacted by Muhammad Ali tremendously and it shows.
Boxers and rappers are very much alike and Muhammad Ali is the reason for that. Ali was in his prime during the 70’s and Hip-Hop was just starting during that time. It was a time where black people were combating racism and discrimination with bold affirmations of black pride. Ali was a poster child for being black and proud. Hip-Hop was fighting to be recognized and was becoming an influential device for the youth to express themselves.
Ali was quick with his feet, hands and tongue. His words were just as flashy as his fighting style in the ring. Rappers talk trash through rhyme just like Ali, bragging about themselves and calling out their opponents. Without knowing it, Ali was just as much a rapper as he was a fighter. He has created many quotable lines such as “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.” Ali served as the inspiration for many Hip-Hop songs and lyrics. Public Enemy showed their appreciation for the champ in their song “Ali’s Rap Theme,” referring to his stance against the Vietnam War. Groups like N.W.A and Black Star have also payed homage to Ali in their lyrics. Even Jadakiss has sampled Ali’s famous “the champ is here” chant for his song with the same title.
Throughout Hip-Hop, rappers declare themselves to be the greatest. Most notably, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne have each referred to themselves as the best rappers alive and have proven to be worthy of the title while in their prime. Figuring out who the greatest rapper is, is an on-going debate, but you can ask anyone who the greatest of all time is and the answer will be Muhammad Ali. His physical presence will be missed but his legacy and impact will always be felt.
