Old NBA Soundtrack “B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret”

In 1994, Epic Records compiled 16 songs featuring a collection of NBA players such as Dana Barros, Malik Sealy, Shaquille O’Neal, Cedric Ceballos, Brian Shaw, Chris Mills, Jason Kidd, J.R (Isiah) Rider, Dennis Scott, and Gary Payton.

This album is straight G-Funk. Most of these NBA players have a smooth Warren G flow (who actually raps in a few of the songs).

1. “Hip Hop Basketball Genie”- :48
2. “Check It”- 4:07 (Dana Barros)
3. “Lost in the Sauce”- 4:57 (Malik Sealy)
4. “Mic Check 1-2″- 3:45 (Shaquille O’Neal and Ill Al Skratch)
5. “Earl the Goat”- :34
6. “Flow On”- 4:03 (Cedric Ceballos and Warren G)
7. “Anything Can Happen”- 5:03 (Brian Shaw)
8. “Sumptin’ to Groove To”- 3:21 (Chris Mills)
9. “From the Bay to L.A.”- 1:14 (Sway & King Tech)
10. “What the Kidd Didd”- 3:52 (Jason Kidd and Money-B)
11. “Funk in the Trunk”- 4:17 (J.R. Rider)
12. “Phat Swoosh”- :55
13. “All Night Party”- 3:47 (Dennis Scott)
14. “Livin’ Legal and Large”- 3:54 (Gary Payton)
15. “D.J. S and S Represents”- 1:18

16.”Ya Don’t Stop”- 4:42 (Dana Barros, Cedric Ceballos, Grand Puba, Sadat X, AG and Diamond D)

This album is simply amazing, but like most, it has some great music with some not so great music. Although Chris Mills is a great guy (my ex-neighbor), he has no flow whatsoever. His song “Sumptin’ to Groove to” was really nothing to groove to. Shaq showed that he is a lyrical genius with his lines like, “I could freak it Shaqapello,” but the song is more yelling than rapping. “Mic Check 1-2” definitely has more of a DMX vibe compared to the Nate Dog (R.I.P) feel of the album. Brian Shaw’s track has some really deep lyrics about his life before the NBA. “What the Kidd Didd” is real smooth, J-Kidd flows like he’s reppin’ the 213. Cedric Ceballos sounds like an OG in “Flow On” and it definitely gets your head bobbin’ to that Warren G funk era. One of the best tracks on the album is “Livin’ Legal and Large” by the Glove. Gary Payton spits fire, and just further proves that GP is a Bo$$.

They definitely should come out with B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret Vol. II. With the lockout it would be the perfect time. Any record label would be able to get Ron Artest (Meta World Peace), Lou Williams, Marquis Daniels, Tony Parker, Delonte West, and throw Blake Griffin in there too. Bring back the G-funk, death to the auto-tone.

-Schotz