6 Rappers That Toronto Raptors’ James Johnson Has Repped On Game Day

The baller’s Insta game is strong.

January 21, 2015

The decades-long relationship between rap and basketball could be personified by Drake, who has taken music-sports synergy to new levels with his role as the Toronto Raptors' global ambassador. Back in 2010, though, before his Raptors-pay-my-bills shit, he rapped: Damn, I swear sports and music are so synonymous / 'Cause we want to be them, and they want to be us.

The Raptors' James Johnson, a 6'9" power forward known for his in-the-paint ball style and galvanizing defensive playing, knows all about that. When he's not posting self-help-y aphorisms, choice bible verses, and adorable pictures of his kid, Johnson uses his Instagram account to catalogue his game day music choices. In short pre-game video clips, he does the hard work of simultaneously smizing, mean-mugging, and rapping along to tracks by King Louie, Kevin Gates, Snootie Wild, and a rotation of rappers you've never heard of. Forget the typical post-career dabbling in broadcasting, someone get this man an A&R gig immediately.

1. For obvious reasons, Johnson listened to King L's "In Love Wit Canada" before a home game last week

Game day Musik #wetheNorth @_king_louie_
A video posted by @broke_3 on

2. Before a W against Orlando, it was Lil Herb's "Write Your Name"

Game day musik #new_era #herbo
A video posted by @broke_3 on

3. Back in November, he put his followers on to Fat P Dinero's "No Work"

Game Day Music S/O @fatp_dinero No Work
A video posted by @broke_3 on

4. Earlier that month, he was all about a rapper named Krook

Game day music #FreeKrooK
A video posted by @broke_3 on

5. Then there was the time a barber-turned-rapper named YP Hollywood got some shine

6. But he always comes back to Kevin Gates, who's gotten a handful of pre-game spins

Game day music #WeTheNorth #KoldKoldWorld
A video posted by @broke_3 on

Lead photo credit: Mike Lawrie / Getty Images

Posted: January 21, 2015
6 Rappers That Toronto Raptors’ James Johnson Has Repped On Game Day