It’s no secret that the relationship between sports and rap music has continued to evolve over the years. Most rappers believe they’re athletes and most athletes think they are highly-skilled rappers.
When it comes to Deion Sanders that was once the case. The Pro Football Hall of Famer dabbled in rap music with his 1994 LP “Prime Time” which featured the track “Must Be The Money.”
While Sanders has relationships with plenty of movers and shakers within the music industry, his connection to slain Memphis rapper Young Dolph was special. Dolph’s cousin and label mate Key Glock is also close to Sanders, and since the tragic death of his cousin, he’s kept a low profile.
With his tour set to kick off this week, Sanders sent his friend a message.
“Congratulations to my brother Key Glock. I heard the shows are selling out everywhere. I love y’all and appreciate y’all with what you’ve done for Jackson State and you know how we feel about Dolph man.
“So God bless y’all and I need a verse, dog! I just wanna drop on a verse. I just need one verse, my brother. God bless.”
Young Dolph Appeared At JSU Homecoming: Killed A Month Later
Back in October Young Dolph, the CEO of Paper Route Empire, pulled up on Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers for their homecoming festivities. Dolph featuring rapper Gunna and the Paper Route Empire were the homecoming act. Many JSU players showed admiration for Dolph and PRE music. Dolph’s attendance and subsequent performance was one of his final appearances before he was gunned down.
Young Dolph stopped by the locker room after Jackson State’s homecoming win today @DeionSanders @21standprime pic.twitter.com/vCjtqo2HoA
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 17, 2021
In November, Dolph was ambushed and killed while buying cookies at a bakery he frequented. Per reports he was shot 22 times. The news spread quickly, and when it reached Deion, he released the following statement.
“I hope to God these rumors ain’t true about my friend, my brother and a man dear to my son. Lord help us as a people to stop the hate, the violence, and the hopelessness. When we realize we matter others will as well. Lord help us now.”
Shedeur Sanders honored Dolph with some custom cleats following his death.
Tigers (@GoJSUTigersFB) QB Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) played in cleats in the #SoulBowl that featured the late rapper Young Dolph who was shot and killed in Memphis on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/ZBUIxyPWdJ
— Wilton C. Jackson II (@WiltonReports) November 20, 2021
Jackson State Recently Renamed Entrance Tunnel After Dolph
To honor the fallen Dolph, Coach Prime and the JSU Tigers renamed the team’s entrance tunnel at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, “The Paper Route Tunnel.”
Key Glock, who’s been mourning the death of his cousin, is back performing. Although he recently said he can’t shake Dolph’s passing, getting back to doing what they did together will probably help. Coach Prime and the JSU program is keeping that line of communication open with the Paper Route Empire, even minus their CEO, who was a father, fiancé, brother, son and Memphis community philanthropist.
