Iman Shumpert Spits Bars Over DaBaby's "Baby Sitter" Beat

BY Erika Marie 3.7K Views
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Iman Shumpert
Iman. is taking centerstage.

For those that are unfamiliar with Iman Shumpert's off-the-court talents, the NBA player is known to have spit a few bars or two in his time. In April 2018, Shumpert dropped his debut EP Substance Abuse, a six-track project with no features. Being married to Teyana Taylor has its musical perks, but last year he made it clear that he wanted to build his fanbase on his own. "I could use my wife, but I'd rather people connect with me," he said.

All has been quiet for Shumpert on the rap career front, but on Monday the Houston Rockets baller returned with some new rhymes. He shared a shirtless clip of himself on social media rocking grillz and going off over DaBaby's "Baby Sitter" beat, and it looks like Shumpert, rap name Iman., is preparing something fresh.

Social media's reception of Shumpert's latest was overwhelmingly positive as fans and his famous friends alike praised him for his lyrical skills. Back in 2015, Shumpert wrote a piece for Bleacher Report about his rap ambitions. He stated at the time that he's always been rapping, but not many people were aware because of his basketball career.

"Hip-hop's influence is unbelievably strong, and it gives you the power to inspire and control your message," Shumpert wrote. "It's a threat our society doesn't want me to carry. For some reason, fans want me to be one-dimensional. Maybe being successful in two fields when most can't accomplish one makes people feel threatened." What do you think about Iman.'s bars?


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.