7 Times Serena Williams Served in Hip-Hop
Power, Poetry, and the Racket: Serena Williams and Her Hip-Hop Legacy
Serena Williams isn’t just one of the greatest athletes of all time — she’s a cultural icon whose power, presence, and confidence have inspired songs, videos, and even rap verses. Over the years, hip-hop has celebrated, referenced, and occasionally even tangled with the tennis legend. Whether as a metaphor for excellence or a muse for love and rivalry, Serena’s influence on rap is undeniable.
Below, we serve up seven key moments when Serena Williams crossed over from the court to the culture.
Drake - “Worst Behavior”
On Nothing Was the Same, Drake delivered one of the most memorable Serena shout-outs in hip-hop:
“I swear I could beat Serena when she playin’ with her left.”
The playful line came during the peak of their rumored romance and set off waves of speculation. It wasn’t just a lyric — it was a window into one of hip-hop’s most whispered-about relationships.
Kanye West - “Gold Digger”
Before “Ye” became a mogul, he dropped one of rap’s most iconic lines:
“But I’m lookin’ for the one, have you seen her? My psychic told me she got a ass like Serena.”
Serena had already transcended sports at this point — the lyric cemented her as a pop culture reference point for power, beauty, and strength, all rolled into one.
Ludacris - “My Chick Bad”
“She always bring the racket like Venus and Serena.”
Luda’s bar was pure wordplay gold — equal parts respect and bravado. The reference turned tennis into metaphor and solidified the Williams sisters as symbols of dominance in the hip-hop imagination.
Serena Williams’ Rap Debut
In 2012, a short clip leaked of Serena rapping in an NFL star’s Florida studio. Her bars were full of swagger:
“I ball hard no tennis racket / I can’t see these haters through my Gucci glasses.”
It was a moment of self-aware fun that showed Serena’s comfort with hip-hop’s language — not just being talked about, but talking her talk.
Joey Bada$$ - “Paper Trail$”
In a track packed with ambition, Joey Bada$$ name-dropped Serena as a marker of greatness:
“Dreams selling arenas and breaking brackets / Tenants racket while I’m cracking a Serena.”
The mention reflected how deeply Serena’s name had become synonymous with success — even to a generation that grew up watching her redefine athletic excellence.
Drake - “Back to Back” and “Too Good”
During Drake’s highly publicized feud with Meek Mill, Serena was caught in the cultural crossfire — cheering for Drake one week, performing at the U.S. Open the next. Later, he revealed that “Too Good,” his duet with Rihanna, was inspired by Serena. While never confirmed in lyrics, the emotional tone suggested more than just friendship.
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us”
When Kendrick dropped “Not Like Us,” the seismic diss track aimed at Drake, fans noticed a line that seemed protective of Serena:
“Better not speak on Serena.”
Months later, Serena posted herself dancing to the track, calling it “the hit of the summer.” Her co-sign turned the moment from fan fun into cultural affirmation. The GOAT of tennis siding with one of rap’s fiercest lyricists? Legendary.
Serena’s journey through hip-hop parallels her career: powerful, unapologetic, and layered. From object of admiration to lyrical metaphor to active participant, her presence in rap underscores one truth — Serena Williams isn’t just part of the culture. She is the culture.