Football and Flow | Hip-Hop 50th | NFL.com
The emergence of hip-hop forever changed music and culture, leaving its mark on the game of football and captivating generations of fans around the world. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, NFL Media and Universal Music Group announce "Football and Flow," a unique crossover content series featuring a trio of hip-hop icons showcasing their love of football and their favorite NFL teams. This three-episode collaboration showcases hip-hop legends Rakim, Hit-Boy and Ludacris recalling their fondest football memories and sharing the roots of their fandom.
About the Curators
Rakim
Universally referenced as one of the Masters of the Microphone, William Michael Griffin – better known as Rakim – first exploded onto the scene with the release of the iconic "Eric B. is President" in 1986 with longtime collaborator Eric B. The single marked a turning point in the rap world, raising the bar for future emcees and revolutionizing the way rhymes are delivered to this day. His recordings – including classics "Paid in Full," "Follow the Leader" and "The 18th Letter" – have sold multi-millions worldwide, and publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone have called "Paid in Full" one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Recently, Rakim was named the No. 1 Lyricist of All Time by The Source magazine, received the coveted BET Lifetime Achievement Award and was nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hit-Boy
Over his more than 13 years in the industry, three-time Grammy-winning producer and artist Hit-Boy has worked with an impressive roster of music legends including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott. As a rapper and songwriter, Hit-Boy has recorded and released seven mixtapes and six collaborative albums. In 2021, Hit-Boy earned a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Album" with Nas' "King's Disease." He has also collaborated with his father, Big Hit, on the album "The Truth Is In My Eyes," following his father's nine-year incarceration – a testament to the strength of their father-son relationship and the power of changing the narrative around fatherhood in Black communities.
Ludacris
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges is a multi-talented recording artist who has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide, with such singles as "Stand Up," "Get Back," "Southern Hospitality," "Number One Spot," "Money Maker" and "My Chick Bad." With an unrivaled match of lyrical acumen, wit and imagery, Ludacris has solidified himself as one of music's premier entertainers. His versatility and artistic complexity have also enabled him to make a seamless transition to acting, including the fan favorite role of Tej in Universal Pictures' box office phenomenon "Fast & Furious" franchise. This past summer, Ludacris reprised his role of Tej for the seventh time in "Fast X," while simultaneously hitting the road with Janet Jackson to perform his greatest hits for the 33-city "Together Again" tour.