d4vd might have tipped Uproxx off to “Call Me Revenge,” his collaborative single with 21 Savage for Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
“I want to leak too much, but I literally just left a meeting about gaming,” d4vd told Uproxx’s Wongo Okon in an interview published on September 8. “I’m working a lot on Fortnite stuff, the new Fortnite season is dropping, and everybody’s on the game again. Gaming is going back on the radar. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III is dropping. I’m working hand in hand and being more in the gaming space and telling a story because that’s where I came from. I’m more of a gamer than a musician; it’s telling that story even more. I’m working on scoring and a lot of soundtracking, too.”
21’s “Call Me Revenge” featuring d4vd hit streaming services on Thursday, October 19. Per press release, it marks 21 Savage’s first original material as a solo artist since 2020’s “Secret” with Summer Walker.
“21 Savage will also star in an upcoming Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III trailer, and Call Of Duty players can access 21 Savage as an operator in the game now and carry over the playable skin and their progress from Modern Warfare II to Modern Warfare III when it launches on November 10,” the release states. You can pre-order the game here.
In “Call Me Revenge,” d4vd’s smooth vocal runs perfectly complement 21 Savage’s confident flow about loyalty (“Keep my enemies closer / Than I keep my friends / Gotta get my payback / Been on that since way back”) and resiliency (“You gon’ shed blood if you made me shed tears”).
While it’s been three-and-a-half years since 21 dropped “Secret,” he hasn’t fallen off in the slightest — dropping joint albums Savage Mode IIwith Metro Boomin and Her Losswith Drake. Each project hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, d4vd has released two 2023 EPs, Petals To Thorns and The Lost Petals, and is opening on the second leg of SZA’s SOS Tour.
Below, listen to “Call Me Revenge,” see its cover art, and check out 21 Savage’s upcoming European and UK tour dates.
Copyright to Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III/Epic Records
11/14 — Paris, France @ Zenith Paris La Villette
11/16 — Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric HALLE
11/17 — Zurich, Switzerland @ THE HALL
11/19 — Berlin, Germany @ Max-Schmeling-Halle
11/21 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ AFAS Live
11/23 — Manchester, UK @ Depot Mayfield
11/24 — Birmingham, UK @ Forum
11/30 — London, UK @ The O2
WWE has been home to many legends, and among them stands Adam Copeland, popularly known as Edge. As of 2023, the estimated net worth of this WWE superstar is around $25 million US dollars, according to FightFans. But how did Edge amass such a fortune, and what makes him one of the most iconic figures in the wrestling world?
Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1973, Edge’s journey into the world of wrestling began in the late 1990s. He showcased his talent in various wrestling promotions before making a significant move by signing with WWE in 1998. Over the years, Edge has enthralled audiences globally with his high-octane and daring performances. His wrestling prowess is evident from the staggering 31 championships he has won in WWE, including 11 world championships. These achievements have solidified his position in wrestling history.
WWE World Heavyweight champion Edge attends the WrestleMania XXVII press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square on March 30, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
While Edge’s wrestling achievements are commendable, his talents aren’t confined to the ring. He has ventured into acting, making appearances in movies and TV shows like Vikings and Interrogation. Additionally, Edge showcased his musical side by releasing an album titled Smackdown: The Music, Volume 6, which featured some of the most popular WWE theme songs. Despite these ventures, Edge’s heart always remained in wrestling. This passion was evident when, despite a severe neck injury that led to his retirement in 2011, he made a triumphant return to the ring in 2020, much to his fans’ elation.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: World Heavyweight Champion Edge walks to the ring during WWE Smackdown at Acer Arena on June 15, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)
Edge’s net worth is a testament to his dedication, talent, and hard work. While FightFans estimates his net worth to be around $25 million in 2023, other sources like Celebrity Net Worth have different figures. Regardless of the exact amount, it’s undeniable that Edge has reaped the financial rewards of his multifaceted career. His return to WWE not only delighted his fans but also added to his financial portfolio, as he continues to compete in high-profile matches and clinch championships.
Edge’s journey in the wrestling world is nothing short of inspirational. His charisma, athleticism, and showmanship have endeared him to fans worldwide. As he continues to wrestle and entertain, his legacy in the world of professional wrestling remains unchallenged. Aspiring wrestlers and fans can look up to Edge as a beacon of success, both in terms of career achievements and financial accomplishments. His story is a testament to the fact that with passion and dedication, one can reach unparalleled heights in any field.
John Legend has unveiled his newest brand partnership. While he’s collaborated with companies like Axe, SK-II, Etsy, and more in the past, his latest business venture definitely takes a unique turn — into the land of Neopets.
What is a Neopet? Well, for those who didn’t play the early-2000s online video game, you could adopt creatures and play various games.
Legend’s role in the revival was announced during a reported Neopets Era Party at San Diego Comic Con recently, according to Pop Insider. He also shared his excitement for the project on social media.
“Excited to announce that I’m the new brand ambassador for @Neopets!” Legend posted. “My family and I have been long time fans of the game, and I can’t wait for you to experience it too. Looking forward to more adventures together!”
“You know the game. The classic pet game. It’s long been a favorite in our house. I can’t wait to share the joy and nostalgia with all of you,” he added in a video.
Excited to announce that I’m the new brand ambassador for @Neopets! My family and I have been long time fans of the game, and I can’t wait for you to experience it too. Looking forward to more adventures together! pic.twitter.com/c7umXvzjZ0
Interestingly enough, Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen, has also been a longtime lover of the game. She posted on Twitter back in 2018, pointing out how much she missed the Neopets.
Cardi B is celebrating her daughter, Kulture, who turned five years old. In a sweet new Instagram post, she shared some tribute pictures and videos to her — along with a sweet caption.
The first photo in the slideshow is of Kulture recently, rocking a super adorable pink outfit, complete with a tutu. She also matches with a piano that she sits down at.
“My baby is five….Happy birthday to my pretty princess.It’s beautiful seeing my girl grow yet makes me a lil sad that my baby is not my little baby no more,” Cardi wrote. “light lil turn up today till the weekend.”
The specific turn up invites were Super Mario-themed, as Cardi also shared they looked like on Twitter. Pulling inspiration from the video game franchise, the invite sees Kulture dressed up as Princess Peach, with a swirly pink background.
“Noooo cause how cute is Kulture’s Birthday party invite !?” Cardi B also captioned.
On Cardi’s Instagram Story, the family went to celebrate at the American Dream Mall with decorations that were fit for a princess.
Fans are loving how special Cardi made Kulture’s big day yesterday. “Awww, can’t wait to see the decorations I know you snapped like always,” one fan commented.
“Such a great idea!!!” another added in the replies.
Check out both of Cardi’s posts about Kulture’s birthday above.
Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Earlier this week, 2K Games announced West Coast artist Blxst curated the soundtrack for season 7 of NBA 2K23. In a Zoom interview with Blxst, Uproxx got some insight into the creative process behind the soundtrack and the impact that a 2K placement can have on artists’ careers.
Blxst, who first exploded into stardom with his 2020 EP No Love Lost, has risen in stature ever since. He’s become one of the LA rap scene’s premier hook singers while building a thrilling catalog as a genre-bending rapper with releases like Before You Go and his Sixtape series with Bino Rideaux, which will see its third iteration in the near future. He’s also been a regular at Uproxx Studios, dropping off potent performances for UPROXX Sessions.
He’s expanded his impressive portfolio by launching his Evgle record label, supporting artists such as Jay Millian, who also makes an appearance on the 2K23 soundtrack with his song “Baby,” which exclusively launched through the game. The soundtrack also includes Blxst staples such as “Passionate” with Roddy Ricch, “Keep Calling” with Larry June, and “Spend It” with Babyface Ray and Nija.
As Blxst says during our interview, “Whenever a play comes to me of this magnitude, I think of how can I get my team involved? How can we make it a teamwork type of thing?” I compare this to the point guards as whom he loves to play in NBA 2K23 like Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving. Yes, he can score, but he also wants to put his teammates in the best position to win, which is the defining characteristic of an all-time great.
Let’s talk about the process of getting you involved in doing the soundtrack for season seven of NBA 2K23.
The process was kind of simple. 2K had reached out and it was natural. They just wanted us to curate a playlist and I was excited for it from the jump because I had linked up with Ronnie 2K randomly just going to a San Francisco 49ers game. I seen them up there and we chopped it up. I don’t know if he threw the alley-oop, but I’m definitely connected with the 2K family.
A lot of people, when they hear artists on 2K, that’s like the first time they might be hearing you. How do you decide on which songs of yours are the ones that are absolutely 100% 2K worthy?
A lot of the artists that are on the playlist I’m a fan of myself, and it’s certain songs that I pick from they projects that just inspired me to get up and do something. I feel like that’s one thing athletes can relate to, just wanting to be motivated from the music to be your best, to be the best version of yourself. That’s how I implemented the playlist.
It was really important to you to get the Evgle guys involved. What does that mean to an artist that is on your label? This might be the first time that they’re getting really that level of exposure.
I think it’s fire, especially for Jay Millian. We got to exclusively release a record in 2K. If you go to my career, you see different [Billboard achievements] and that’s a big deal. I think it’s just important to be able to give my artists and my producers them types of platforms. Whenever a play comes to me of this magnitude, I think of how can I get my team involved. How can we make it a teamwork type of thing? Even Vic and Carl — which is my manager and my attorney — … I like to look at them as tastemakers outside of the positions that they typically play. We just put our brains together, we the visionaries.
I guess the closest sports metaphor would be being a point guard, right? You’re always looking for the open shot for another member of the team. Do you have any specific songs or artists that you have memories connected with, “Oh, I discovered this person through 2K“?
I couldn’t give you a specific song, but I will say it’s certain moments that I connected with, like seeing Pharrell curate a playlist, seeing J. Cole as well, and Pharrell, somebody I’m a big fan of from the skateboard world to the fashion industry and how everything cross brands with the music. I feel like I’m following his footsteps in a sense, being here.
Speaking of J. Cole, he was actually included in the game as a playable character. Is that something we can look forward to: getting some hoops in with Blxst on the game?
I might have to get my jump shot up first, but yeah, I’m definitely down for the 3D scan. Put me in the game.
When you actually do play the game, who’s your team? Who’s your go-to?
I’m a player fan more than a team fan. I like to play with Ja Morant. I like to play with Trae Young, Kyrie Irving. I like to play the point.
What’s next for the future?
It’s summer 2023. I’m locked back in with Bino Rideaux for Sixtape part three. We slowly but surely getting that up, but outside of that, I’m also working on my album, which I’m excited for my fans to hear. It’s like an elevator version of Blxst. I’m a throw them off guard with new sounds. Been working with different producers and just staying inspired and motivated, keeping that fire under me, bro. I’m really in a positive space right now.
The NBA Finals start soon. Who you got?
Basketball don’t really matter to me ever since the Lakers got kicked out, got swept [laughing]. Being from LA, that broke my heart. I’m going to have to go with maybe the Joker. Maybe he can close it out.
I know that as an artist, you do a lot of interviews, so you get a lot of the same questions. I have to ask a lot of the same questions, too. If you were me interviewing you, what would you want to know? What would you want people to know about Blxst that you’ve never gotten to talk about?
I love that question. I would say that I’m just a goofy person, man. I think people take me serious. I’m not so vocal all the time, but if you know me, if you’re in my inner circle, I’m pretty goofy. I’m probably dancing in the studio on a random day. I think the world is going to see a different side of Blxst as things reveal.
Along with its annual updates, expansive play modes, and increasingly realistic graphics, the NBA 2K franchise is best known for its soundtracks, which highlight both rising stars and top talent with its in-game menus and gameplay background tunes. The newest update for the current edition, NBA 2K23, has taken things a step further, bringing in talented West Coast artist Blxst and his label, Evgle, to curate the season 7 soundtrack.
In addition to a pair of tracks from Blxst’s March EP Just For Clarity 2 — “Passionate” featuring Roddy Ricch and “Keep Calling” featuring Larry June — the new soundtrack also includes a number of tracks featuring Blxst, such as Babyface Ray’s 2022 single “Spend It,” and showcases label member Jay Millian with his new single “Baby.”
“IDC” by Jordan Ward and “Progress” by Westside Webb put the spotlight on more rising artists, while the last two tracks are big-name standouts: Benny the Butcher‘s 2020 track “Trade It All” and “Stop Breathing” from Roddy Ricch’s latest project, Feed The Streets III.
In a press release, Blxst said, “I’m excited to have Evgle included on the NBA 2K23 soundtrack simply because it’s a childhood dream. I can speak for most of us in saying that we grew up playing this game. So, to be a part of this is mind-blowing and it’s crazy how music bridges the gap. These songs were hand-picked by me and the Evgle team because this is what we like to listen to get inspired. I like to look at myself as a tastemaker and each artist on this playlist is a different ingredient to the soundtrack of my lifestyle right now.”
After premiering in the game this Friday, May 19, and remaining game exclusive through the weekend, the soundtrack will hit DSPs on Tuesday, May 23 along with Millian’s single.
Jack Black is the MVP of the highest-grossing video game movie of all-time (and the biggest movie of 2023). In the music video for “Video Games,” Tenacious D‘s first new song in five years, he and Kyle “Rage Kage” Gass pay tribute to some of the most iconic video game characters ever, including Link (it’s almost Tears of the Kingdom Day!), Kratos, and Lara Croft. Black is also transported into Mario, but not as Bowser. This time, he’s Mario. Which I guess means Chris Pratt is now… Lakitu? That works.
In a statement, the D wrote, “It’s about growing up and leaving childish things behing… But then realizing that video games are more than just mindless toys… in fact they can be a true expression of huge ideas that belong in the pantheon of great works of art! It’s about time someone defended the honor and integrity of this bold new horizon. Leave it to the greatest band in the world… Tenacious D!!!” They’ll lead (and play video games) as two kings.
Tenacious D are on tour. Here’s where you can see them:
5/11/23 New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore
5/13/23 St. Augustine, FL @ The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
6/2/23 Nuremberg, Germany @ Rock im Park
6/3/23 Nurburg, Germany @ Rock Am Ring
6/4/23 Prague, Czech Republic @ Forum Karlin
6/6/23 Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle
6/7/23 Berlin, Germany @ Zitadelle
6/8/23 Nickelsdorf, Austria @ Nova Rock Festival
6/10/23 Milan, Italy @ Carroponte
6/12/23 Zurich, Switzerland @ The Hall
6/13/23 Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National
6/14/23 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Ahoy
6/16/23 London, England @ O2 Arena
6/18/23 Clisson, France @ Hellfest Open Air Festival
Twitch continues to be an enticing place for celebrities that want more interaction with their fans. We’ve seen folks like T-Pain, Mike Shinoda, Snoop Dogg, and more on the platform. Now, the multi-talented actress and musician Keke Palmer, who starred in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed film Nope, is the latest celebrity to hop on the streaming train.
If there’s one thing Palmer knows how to do, it’s stay busy in her creative life. While only 29 years old, she’s been a working Hollywood actress for almost two decades. She first appeared in 2004’s Barbershop 2: Back in Business and followed it up two years later with a starring role as Akeelah in Akeelah And The Bee.
Since then, she’s done everything from long-running television shows, Broadway productions, and music albums, most recently starting her digital platform for Black content creators looking to showcase their work, KeyTV.
After announcing her pregnancy in late 2022 on Saturday Night Live, Palmer began filling her time off from acting by catching up on playing video games, especially Sims 4. On her Twitch bio, she talks about this briefly, “i got on here because i got preggers and started spending more time at home which got me back into playing the sims. my followers wanted to see my game play and now we hereeee.”
Before starting her Twitch channel, she’d dabbled in live streaming her gaming exploits on Instagram. On her IG, Palmer began going live and narrating the ridiculous antics her Sims got into on her most recent play sessions. Palmer has a keen eye for creating viral moments on social media, something that translates well to what she hopes to help other Black creators do with KeyTV.
Quickly, clips from her streams went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms, showcasing the funny hijinks she got into with her characters. After a large push from her fans, Palmer set up a Twitch channel in February of 2023 and began streaming.
On Palmer’s Twitch channel, simply called “Keke,” she streams everything from video games she plays (mainly Sims but other titles like Tekken and Detroit: Become Human), karaoke, cooking, and general hangouts to catch up with her audience. She writes more about this in her bio, “i like role playing obvi, i like fighting games, i like decision based games too.. but im into many things outside of gaming because i get bored v easily haha. i like trying new things, diy stuff, karaoke, stand up(light weight haha), reviewing reality tv, reviewing movies, documentaries, conspiracies!”
Palmer’s streams are lowkey and fairly irregular given her busy schedule, but when she does go live, you can expect a no-holds-barred look into who she is as a person when she’s not on the silver screen. On one of her most recent broadcasts, she streamed the narrative, choose your own adventure game Detroit: Become Human which centers around the various lives of androids who are becoming sentient in a future Detroit.
https://m.twitch.tv/videos/1789587125
The infectious charm and wit she brings to her characters on screen are given a different light on stream. In her Detroit: Become Human live stream, chaos quickly ensued as Palmer and her partner, Darius Jackson, ate takeout while trying to figure out how to play the game which features complex button inputs.
What’s interesting about Palmer’s streams is how her immense knowledge of acting and direction comes through in how she engages with the games she plays. As if on cue, Palmer and Jackson fall into character while playing Detroit, giving their own voice acting to the cinematic scenes. A particularly hilarious moment occurs as Palmer controls her android character, dodging an assailant while she gets more and more on edge trying to keep up with the button prompts.
This is shown even more when she plays the Sims 4. Palmer creates in-depth storylines for all of the characters she creates that highlight insanely funny situations you’d expect in an evening sitcom. “This is the storyline,” she says to the viewers before telling a detailed backstory about the messy relationships her characters have. Upon giving the setup for the predicament her characters are in, she proceeds to voice all of them in their respective voices to an absurdly funny extent.
It’s rare that audiences get such an intimate look into the life and persona of their favorite celebrities. While we are certainly living in the age of over-stimulation and social media fatigue, watching Palmer on stream is a much different experience than seeing a clip of a post on a social media platform. Palmer’s Twitch streams further confirm what her on-screen performances already suggest — she is one of the world’s best at blending humor with drama today, no matter the medium.
On September 18, 2020, Ava Max released her debut album, Heaven & Hell. Around that time, she celebrated the project’s release with a launch party. The event didn’t take place in some personally meaningful place like her hometown, or in a major city among the big lights. Instead, it happened on Roblox.
Some context: Earlier that year, the COVID-19 pandemic (you might be aware of it) forced the world to essentially shut down. This put the live entertainment industry on pause. Concerts and other in-person events were temporarily no more. Oof!
More context: Roblox, an online game creation platform, launched in 2006 and has grown substantially since then. It was reported in 2022 that Roblox had 57 million daily users (and that half of them were under 12 years old).
So, with both of those things in mind, Ava Max and her team decided to launch Heaven & Hell on Roblox. On September 25, the event began. After a countdown, a pre-recorded video message from Ava Max played, in which she spoke about the event, discussed her new album, and answered some questions. She then sang two songs before the video ended.
It was a neat experiment, as IRL events weren’t super possible at the time. So, Ava Max made the best of the situation and came through with something intriguing and different. Different, but also something of a return to normalcy: While the music industry was on hold, Ava Max pressed forward via the means available to her and delivered as close to a familiar experience as was possible.
It was also just the start.
A few weeks later, Lil Nas X got in on the Roblox fun. On November 14 and 15, the rapper put on quite the show. He opened with a performance of “Old Town Road” before a digital costume change and a rendition of “Rodeo” as bats flew above him. The environment allowed for some fantastical elements not possible in a real-life concert. As the Roblox Wiki describes, the show involved tornadoes, a shift to a futuristic setting, Lil Nas X levitating in front of the moon, and a black hole.
Those were the first two concerts experiences on Roblox, and from there, artists like Elton John, Mariah Carey, aespa, Soccer Mommy, Saweetie, and others hosted their own virtual events. Were they worse than in-person shows? Well, that’s hard to say.
Leaving the house, bringing your physical body to a different environment, and seeing artists in front of your face isn’t something that can be replicated on a phone, computer, or game console. It’s a special experience than can really only be felt that specific way. The thing is, though, that virtual concerts don’t need to be that. In terms of what an in-person show offers, virtual shows can’t do it. They just can’t. In other ways, however, they can present much more.
Stage design for major tours can be incredible, but Lil Nas X isn’t getting functional tornadoes and black holes on a real-life stage. Roblox has long been an open forum for imaginative expression for its users and the same has been true when it comes to virtual concerts. It’s an opportunity for artists to put on a concert in ways they could never pull off otherwise. Give the world’s most talented and creative entertainers a limitless environment and special moments are bound to result.
Furthermore, sometimes, committing a few hours to going downtown, finding parking, getting to the venue, watching a concert, and making your way home is a lot. Nights when that seems overwhelming are the perfect occasion to just open an app on your phone/computer and catch some more convenient live entertainment, to still get the feeling that you’re watching something grand unfold in the moment.
Worth noting is that as novel as this whole thing may seem, a Roblox virtual concert isn’t a completely new idea (and not just because Fortnite did it before them, like with the Marshmello event in February 2019). Roblox events represent what the live entertainment business has long been about: meeting people where they are.
Really, performers have been bringing their shows to the people for a long as it’s been possible: Shortly after the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, circuses started traveling to the western half of the US. People were in their hometowns and most of them presumably didn’t have the means for significant travel (especially for leisure), so the entertainers went to them.
From there, music tours eventually became a major business, and some performers went beyond even just showing up in people’s cities. In the ’90s and ’00s, music lovers young and old spent a lot of time at the then-thriving malls. So, artists like Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne got set up between Claire’s and the food court to get a performance in. That’s where the people were, so that’s where the artists were.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought more popularity to remote-friendly practices like working from home and consuming the majority of entertainment online. Folks were in their rooms and on the internet, so that’s where the artists went.
Again, Roblox isn’t the first video game platform to host a virtual concert: Shout out to Duran Duran for performing a Second Life show in 2006. Roblox was, though, a leader in bringing them to the mainstream at the perfect time. It’s where the people were, and it’s where the artists could be whatever they wanted to be.
In 2023, the live entertainment industry is at the point where concert tours have long been back in full swing. This doesn’t mean virtual events should go back and hide in their hole of obscurity, though. Video games and other online products are as popular as they’ve ever been, and musicians are more open-minded and creatively free than ever before when it comes to self-promotional strategies.
So yes, for most artists, in-person events will return to their spot as the live entertainment priority. There’s no reason why virtual concerts can’t be a piece of the puzzle, though. While they had to fill in as the main feature for a little bit, really, they’re a different side of the same coin, one that offers its own unique value. It’s all just meeting people where they are, and as where they are changes, artists, as they always have, adapt and push the industry in exciting new directions.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Fire up FIFA and there’s a decent chance you’ll hear one of your favorite songs (or something you’ve never heard before but admittedly slaps). Music from some of today’s biggest artists plays a significant role in sports video games, increasingly so as the music and game industries continue to evolve. The relationship between sports games and music is so strong, in fact, that musicians are actually using them to debut new music now: 2 Chainz previewed a new album in NBA 2K21 and Madden NFL 23 featured new songs from artists like Killer Mike and Cordae.
That’s where we’re at these days, but how did we get here, and where do we go from here? Let’s start exploring those questions by rewinding a bit.
Recently, I was reminiscing about the main menu music from 1995’s Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball on the Super Nintendo, specifically about how hard it goes. Show me somebody who’s heard a better video game soundtrack synth solo from the mid-’90s and I’ll show you a liar. At that point, sports games were soundtracked by bespoke music created specifically for the game by in-house composers, not commercially available songs you could hear on the radio or buy at your local record shop.
Nearly a decade after Big Hurt, EA Sports pivoted from its long-running Triple Play MLB games and launched the short-lived MVP Baseball series with the 2003 installment. I grew up playing MVP Baseball 2004 and 2005 on the original Xbox, and what I remember about those games more than anything (aside from maybe the Jacob Paterson cheat) is the soundtracks.
Instead of newly composed music, these games (and many of their contemporaries) compiled soundtracks from songs of the day. Both games had carefully curated and relatively limited tracklists (2004 had 13 songs, 2005 had just nine), which meant I got intimately familiar with those songs. As I browsed in-game menus, tracks like Steriogram’s “Walkie Talkie Man,” Chronic Future’s “Time And Time Again,” The Donots’ “We Got The Noise,” and Hot Hot Heat’s “You Owe Me An IOU” became ingrained in the deepest wrinkles of my still-forming brain. The games and their soundtracks made each other better; those songs make me think about the games, the games make me think about those songs.
Yay, good for me and my childhood fun, but what does this mean in terms of a musician’s relationship with sports games today? Well, for a musician now, playing a role in a sports game is not only possible, but actually a desirable goal, and an attainable one at that.
Here’s an example: a 25-year-old (to choose an easy-to-work-with young-adult age) playing MVP Baseball 2005 didn’t necessarily grow up with sports games. In 1990, that fictitious person was 10 years old and home video game consoles were a relatively emerging market in terms of widespread adoption. There’s no guarantee they and a majority of their peers had strong childhood memories of playing games like Jordan Vs. Bird: One On One for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Furthermore, games like that had original, relatively minimal, composed music, not songs pulled from the contemporary music industry.
Over time, video games became more widespread, sports titles became more robust, and the music in those games played a larger and larger role. Today, a 25-year-old here in 2023 was 10 in 2008, when games featured memorable compilation soundtracks. So, for a modern 25-year-old, there’s a far stronger chance sports video games and their soundtracks — comprised of regular, non-video-game music — were at the center of core childhood nostalgia. A young-adult 2005 musician didn’t grow up with the idea that their songs could be in sports video games, but a young-adult artist today did.
There’s also some level of two-way professional envy between athletes and musicians. As Lil Wayne succinctly summarized it in 2014, “Athletes wanna be rappers, rappers wanna be athletes.” While most musicians will never be able to fulfill their dreams of becoming a professional athlete (props to J. Cole, though), there’s still a way for them to be involved: through sports video games and their soundtracks. While video games once had a reputation of being “nerdy” fare, they’re now a fully mainstream and accepted pastime. Sports video games are cool, so for a musician, having their song in the latest Madden is something to brag about. Having their song debut in the latest Madden, to have a part of their career narrative significantly intertwined with a gaming franchise they’ve perhaps loved for decades, is extra special.
(There are other reasons, of course, why an artist might want their music in a sports game. NBA 2K22, for example, sold over 10 million copies, making it a sizable platform for a musician to promote their work.)
So that’s my take on how we got to where we are now, but what’s next? Trying to predict the future of games and music is like trying to predict what Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons will be up to next week (I’d probably be wrong), but let’s take a crack at it.
One theory is that we’ll see an artist make an original sports game soundtrack. In a way, it’s not completely unprecedented: Japanese Breakfast created the soundtrack of 2021’s Sable. Stewart Copeland of The Police composed the excellent music for the beloved original Spyro The Dragon trilogy on Playstation 1. There are other examples, but to my knowledge, we haven’t seen anything like that in a sports game yet. Perhaps the closest thing is Jay-Z curating the soundtrack and serving as executive producer on NBA 2K13. So maybe that’s something we’ll see next: A major artist going all-in on a big sports game, creating an original soundtrack that both serves the game and stands on its own as an appealing collection of music. Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor has pivoted to pumping out successful movie scores, so why not video games next?
Beyond that, who knows. Maybe we get something between that idea and the current reality: a game soundtrack composed of all-new music from various artists? Perhaps something else I can’t yet envision? Whatever the future of the relationship between sports games and music looks like, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it become more involved and bright than it already is. Good luck topping the Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball menu music, though.
