For the most part, this list has to do with rhythm and flow. So, there’s rap on here. Yes, that’s rare for me, but it absolutely shouldn’t be. Rap just doesn’t fit as many situations I find myself in because the content revolves around having shitloads of money, banging women, and being God’s greatest gift to humanity (oh no, I’m not biased).
But then there are rappers with a conscience, ones who actually rap about something that matters. For example, Michael Franti (“We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can’t bomb it into peace.”) and occasionally Jay-Z (“It gets worse, baby momma water burst / Baby came out stillborn, still I gotta move on / Though my heart still torn, life gone from her womb / Don’t worry, if it was meant to be, it’ll be — soon.”) So I know rappers have it in them to get some depth in their songs; everybody feels pain and happiness, and they don’t exclusively get it from money and “bitches” (although those things help).
Then again, plenty of people say many rock songs don’t make sense (see: all Radiohead albums), but at least the music behind the words has a point and emotional undertones. Take away the words from a rap song, and it’s just a hard beat. It doesn’t tell too much of a story.
Handclaps will not escape this list, because handclaps are EVERYWHERE in basketball. High-fives, fans, coaches, and teammates clapping, people slapping a shooter’s hand.
Of course, some atmospheric, slowdown, ethereal qualities would help when players like LeBron James soar through air, seemingly in slow motion.
Most of all, the songs have quick stops and starts, a strange or smooth rhythm, adrenaline-infusing energy, or triumphant overtones that relate to one team trying to win over another.
But flow and rhythm (whether in the music or in the words) carries the playlist, much the same way flow and rhythm carries basketball.
