The Importance of Music in Sports

Growing up, sports were a way of life for me. I played football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and soccer when I was a kid. It didn’t matter what time of year it was. If there was a game to be played or a practice to grind through, I was ready for it. But it wasn’t just sports that shaped me. There was something else that was always there in the background, something that gave energy to those moments. Music.

My dad, Hardy Walker, set the tone early. He was one of the top football recruits in the entire country coming out of Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama. A Parade All-American, Adidas All-American, and Prep All-American. He was a two-time state champion wrestler and took his talents to the University of Alabama, where he played football at one of the highest levels. My dad was the definition of discipline, drive, and focus. But growing up around him, I realized something else. There was always music tied into everything we did. Whether we were on the way to a game or leaving practice, there was music playing. Sometimes it was Michael Jackson. Sometimes it was Lionel Richie. Sometimes it was Alan Jackson. The genres didn’t matter. The feeling did.

For me, as I got older and started to find my own rhythm, music became something personal. It became a part of my routine as much as lacing up cleats or taping up my wrists. Before games, when I needed to lock in, I had my go-to playlist. I’m talking about Boosie, Webbie, Gucci Mane, Lil Mal, Tha Joker, Big K.R.I.T., and plenty of others. That was the sound of my preparation. Those songs would get me in the zone, whether I was walking into the locker room, warming up on the field, or sitting quietly with my headphones on before kickoff.

Listening to Boosie or Webbie before a football game gave me a feeling like I was untouchable. That raw, unfiltered energy they brought made me feel like I was about to run through anything in my way. Lil Mal was part of that same energy. His music gave me that street anthem vibe that reminded me why I was working so hard and where I came from. It wasn’t playful—it was motivational. It was about grit and determination. Gucci Mane was always part of the grind too, especially in those moments when I needed to remind myself that hard work and hustle don’t stop. Tha Joker and Big K.R.I.T. brought different layers to it, but the message was always the same. Keep going. Stay focused. Finish what you started.

Music and Sports Move the World

It’s not just personal for me. Music and sports have always been connected everywhere you look. Across the world, from local parks to massive stadiums, music plays a huge role in how we experience sports. Think about the biggest games on the planet—the World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Olympics. Music is the heartbeat of these events. The opening ceremonies, the national anthems, the fight songs, and the chants from the fans create a vibe that’s electric.

When you hear a stadium full of people singing the same song or chanting together, it gives you chills. You see it with soccer teams across Europe and South America where fans have songs they sing all game long, creating an atmosphere that’s more like a concert than a sporting event. You feel it at college football games in the South when the band strikes up the fight song and the entire stadium shakes from the energy. Music turns the game into an experience you never forget.

In every corner of the world, from the streets of Brazil where kids kick a soccer ball around with a speaker playing nearby, to NBA arenas where DJ sets and playlists are part of the show, music drives the energy. It builds the anticipation, keeps the momentum alive, and turns sports into something bigger than just the game.

Halftime Shows and Global Performances

And then there’s the halftime show. Whether it’s the Super Bowl or the NBA All-Star Game, these performances have become cultural moments that reach far beyond sports. People tune in just to see who’s performing, and in some cases, the music becomes more memorable than the game itself.

When Prince performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in the rain, it became one of the most iconic moments in sports and music history. Beyoncé’s halftime show wasn’t just a performance. It was a statement. These shows blend the worlds of music and sports into one, showing how powerful they are when they come together.

It’s not just an American thing either. Look at the closing ceremonies of the Olympics or major soccer tournaments like the UEFA Champions League Final. There are massive performances that bring in some of the biggest artists in the world. These moments are broadcast to millions and show how deeply music and sports are intertwined. They create memories that last forever. The sound of the song, the roar of the crowd, and the feeling you get watching it all unfold—it sticks with you.

Final Thoughts

For me, music and sports have always been a part of my life. Growing up watching my dad dominate on the field and hearing his playlists in the car, I learned early on that the two are connected in ways you can’t always explain. Music gets you in the zone. It brings people together. It makes the moments we live for even bigger.

Now, as I continue building my career as an artist, I carry that same mindset with me. Whether I’m making music that people work out to or creating tracks that inspire someone before a big game, I understand the power that music has in the world of sports. It sets the tone. It drives the energy. It becomes the soundtrack to our greatest moments.

And for me, it’s part of my story. It always will be.