“To Hear David Stern Rapping it! Man, it Was Crazy”: Allen Iverson Was Once Stunned Hearing NBA Commissioner Singing His Rap ‘40 Bars’ Out Loud

Nithin Joseph | 04/12/2022
“To Hear David Stern Rapping it! Man, it Was Crazy”: Allen Iverson Was Once Stunned Hearing NBA Commissioner Singing His Rap ‘40 Bars’ Out Loud

Allen Iverson is one of the most iconic figures in basketball history. The man set the tone for many of today’s NBA superstars both on and off the court.

His style and skill were both so unique, that they often got him in trouble. Especially with the former commissioner, the late David Stern.

One of AI’s hobbies was rapping. Sometime around 2001, Stern got a copy of his lyrics and invited the guard to his office. What happened next almost made ‘The Answer’ laugh uncontrollably.

Also Read: $1 Million Worth Allen Iverson Once Gave 17-year-old Lou Williams a ‘Bag Full of Cash’ For Returning His Jewelry Safe

David Stern once read rap lyrics of Allen Iverson out loud

Iverson is one of the greatest of all time. The man was known for his killer crossovers and his incredible speed and skill. However, one thing he wasn’t particularly good at was rapping.

That didn’t stop him from pursuing it though. He loved rap, so much so that he made his own songs. Songs that weren’t exactly family-friendly and songs that the former commissioner of the NBA, David Stern did not appreciate. In fact, AI recalled on an episode of Kevin Hart’s show Cold As Balls, how he nearly burst out laughing after hearing Stern read his lyrics to him at a meeting.

“I remember going to the office and he was reading my lyrics. David Stern was actually reading 40 bars off a piece of paper. So me, and Theo Ratliff…I was trying not to laugh because I knew how serious it was! And the sh*t that I was saying…you know! So to hear David Stern rapping it! Man, it was crazy!”

It certainly must have been a heck of a meeting for AI. But even a scolding from the commissioner couldn’t stop him from rapping, although he does regret putting out his single.

AI loved rapping but is now deeply embarrassed by his rap song 40 bars

In 2001, The Answer explored a career in music. AI released a single titled ’40 Bars’ under the moniker, Jewelz. It was meant to be a part of a potential rap album. One that AI never released and one he is not embarrassed about.

One can only imagine what turns Iverson’s career could have taken. If he released the album.

Also Read: 18-year-old Allen Iverson Once Avoided 15-years Prison Time For a Valentine’s Day Brawl In His Hometown

Post Edited By: Raahib Singh
Allen Iverson David Stern

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

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