Sportsong of the Week #14
"White Iverson"
Post Malone
2015
After weeks of Grammy winning, legendary, mostly older music artists, this week Art Loves Sport presents a young internet sensation. When asked in an interview if he thought he'd get so much attention, his answer was: 'No way. It was the first song I ever put out really.' Sportsong of the Week #14 ladies and gentlemen: 'White Iverson' by Post Malone.
This song took me back to my childhood. Playing basketball in the backyard, mimicking the moves of my favourite players Jordan, McGrady and for sure 'The Answer' Allen Iverson! But also because of the story surrounding this internet phenom and the fact that I just really like the song, it was the right choice for the Sportsong of the Week.
The story: little-known artist Post Malone put a track called "White Iverson" on SoundCloud in February. Then the internet worked its magic. In three months the song was played 2.7 million times and currently is at 28.5 million! What followed for the teenager: shows, a record deal and he is working on his first album. The reason for recording the song: 'I had the thought in my head already. Then a girl gave me braids and I felt cool. Felt like the white Iverson'. A lot of references to Iverson's career and the play of current NBA superstars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Anthony Davis make this a true sportsong. The fact that one of his other songs is called 'Holyfield' means we have to keep looking out for this artist for more sportsongs in the future probably.
Post Malone (a reference to Karl?) starts out his career just like Iverson in his rookie year: exciting, afraid of nothing and doing it his way. Keep swaggin' and ballin' young gun!
Bonus: on Youtube I found this music video interpretation by Justin Escalona, student and filmmaker of Play The Game Films, of the song. Enjoy!
Full lyrics "White Iverson" - Post Malone
[Intro] Double OT I'm a new three [Hook] Saucin', saucin', I'm saucin' on you I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin' oh ooh I'm ballin', I'm ballin', Iverson on you Watch out, watch out, watch out, yeah That's my shot, that's my shot, that's my shot yeah Spendin', I'm spendin' all my fuckin' pay [Verse 1] I got me some braids and I got me some hoes Started rockin' the sleeve, I can't ball with no Jordans You know how I do it, Concords on my toes (This shit is hard) I ain't rich yet, but you know I ain't broke, I So if I see it, I like it, buy that from the store, I I'm with some white girls and they lovin' the coca Like they're OT Double OT like I'm KD, smokin' OG And you know me, in my 2-3s and my gold teeth Bitch I'm smiling, bet you see me from the nosebleeds I'm the new 3 and I change out to my new 3s [Pre-Hook] White Iverson When I started ballin' I was young You gon' think about me when I'm gone I need that money like the ring I never won, I won [Hook] Saucin', saucin', I'm saucin' on you I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin' oh ooh I'm ballin', I'm ballin', Iverson on you Watch out, watch out, watch out, yeah That's my shot, that's my shot, that's my shot yeah Spendin', I'm spendin' all my fuckin' pay [Verse 2] Cigarettes and a headband Commas, commas in my head, man Slumped over like a dead man Red and black, 'bout my bread, man I'm the answer, never question Lace up, learn a lesson Bitch I'm saucin', I do this often, don't do no talkin' My options right when I walk in, jump all them Jordans I'm ballin', money jumpin' Like I'm Davis from New Orleans Or bitch I'm Harden, I don't miss nothin' Fuck practice, this shit just happens, know y'all can't stand it I have it, I'll never pass it, I work my magic High average, ball on these bastards, it makes me happy It's tragic, I make it happen, and all y'all Shaqtin' [Pre-Hook] White Iverson When I started ballin' I was young You gon' think about me when I'm gone I need that money like the ring I never won, I won [Hook] Saucin', saucin', I'm saucin' on you I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin', I'm swaggin' oh ooh I'm ballin', I'm ballin', Iverson on you Watch out, watch out, watch out, yeah That's my shot, that's my shot, that's my shot yeah Spendin', I'm spendin' all my fuckin' pay