It’s safe to say that the art of Hip-Hop and it’s existence is still extremely young. As it grows right in front of our face like Simba in the Lion King, we noticed how outside commodities have influenced the personality of Hip-Hop. Sports and Cult-Classic movies would be Hip-Hop biggest influences that we’ve seen thus far, hint drake being starstruck by any Athlete he’s standing next to. Wrestling has unspokenly been one of the biggest influences on Hip-Hop as well. I know you’re thinking how can a group of guys in tight’s or underwear influence the flashy, unapologetic lifestyle that a rapper takes part in.
Everything would have to start with the persona that fueled the Wrestling world’s existence. Hip Hop and wrestling both share the fact that they must keep up a persona that’s able to compete among the best around. The case may be more valid with Hip Hop today with the overabundance of extremely weird names, or weird appearances that somebody would deem to be “different”.
In the words of Pusha T, “Ric Flair is the first rapper to ever exist”. Have you ever seen a Ric Flair promo? “the Stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun“. The flamboyant, self-obsessed narcissist, larger than life persona is majority what Hip Hop embodies, the way Ric Flair brags about his upward trajectory and the benefits from it would be everything a Rick Ross verse has to offer. Ric Flair is easily Hip Hop favorite rapper, it’s hard to count the number of times his name has been used as punchlines. Flair last acknowledgment from Hip Hop was his appearance in Offset music video for the song called “Drip“, he’s appeared as well alongside Bad Bunny in his music video for chambea. Ric Flair persona has been used in complex ways, majority of the time he’s placed perfectly on Rap artist intro’s regardless if it’s a song or an album.
You can find sprinkles of the Wrestling world throughout Hip Hop lyrics all day. Wrestling is appreciated by each corner of Hip Hop. For myself, all credit would be due to Smoke DZA with his Ringside EP collection; Smoke DZA raps on numerous songs with sampled from famous entrance music, and the cover arts always paid great homage to vintage wrestling greats. Westside Gunn of Griselda has been heavily involved in the uprising of Wrestling in Hip Hop, his most critically acclaimed project Supreme Blientele was themed around iconic wrestler Chris Benoit. Aside from Music being involved, Wale throws a festival every year which is themed by Wrestling, rappers are actual fans of the culture.
Wrestling is among the biggest influencers to the Hip Hop world. From the first encounter which is Run DMC performing live at Wrestlemania, Wrestling has always been Hip Hop distant cousin. The Wrestling world has been blessed by the likes of Hip Hop greats from any Era and the favor has been returned in an upmost way.
