ESPN Explores Muhammad Ali's Connection To Rap Music

In a new documentary, cable network ESPN explores the theory that boxing legend Muhammad Ali unknowingly invented rap music in a new original program entitled, Ali Rap.Hosted by Public Enemy front man Chuck D, the documentary attempts to hypothesize that Ali invented rap by closely examines the relationship between the famed boxer and Hip-Hop. The one-hour show will focus on Ali’s famous quotations and witticisms as told by Ali himself and several celebrities including James Earl Jones, Diane Sawyer, Al Sharpton, Adam Corolla, Ludacris and Bill Maher.“While it's difficult to prove Ali invented rap music, it's almost indisputable that he spawned what is now referred to as 'the modern athlete,' a term that's generally used as coded, pejorative language,” writes Chuck Klosterman for ESPN.com. “When someone complains about 'the modern athlete,' he or she is usually just saying, 'this particular black athlete behaves like a rap star, even though I've never actually listened to rap music in my entire life.' “These perceived traits include overt self-promotion, indifference toward authority, and confidence that hemorrhages into arrogance,” continues Klosterman. “As such, the relationship among Ali, sport, and rap is latently omnipresent, and examples of that three-pronged relationship are everywhere.”Ali Rap is based on the book by George Lois, in which he collected more than 300 quotable moments during the boxing icon’s long and storied career.
Lois met Ali at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and the two have maintained a friendship that has spanned nearly 50 years.
Ali Rap is set to air Saturday (Dec. 9) at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.