by Dave Spahn / @davespahn
I think we can all agree that when athletes try to rap, they fail miserably almost 100% of the time. Look at Shaq, Ron Artest, Tony Parker, Allen Iverson, and the other countless number of athletes trying to pursue a dream in music as well. They learned the hard way that musicians are unbelievable at making their craft look so easy. Not many athletes truly possess the drive to excel in both music and sports, so they drop music and hit the gym. However, we may have found the first true athlete/rapper succeeding in both.
Hosting his own free concert tonight in Knoxville called “Relay For Life”, Tennessee Volunteer hooper Renaldo Woolridge raps under the name “Swiperboy” and owns his own record label “Swiperboy Entertainment”. Songs such as Eric Berry for Heisman, Orange White, and his latest mixtape “Swiperboy IV” have all become massive hits on the internet. Swiperboy IV reached a top 8 spot on datpiff.com in the first 48 hours of release, and his youtube channel has over a million views. “The main goal of my mixtape was to show my versatility as an artist. Everything from a hype song to a slow jam is on my mixtape. I think there’s a song for everyone in there.”
Son of former NBA star Orlando Woolridge, Renaldo is currently in his junior season at Tennessee, Woolridge hopes to take on a leadership role this season with a team that will surely be searching for an identity. Woolridge likes everything about Cuonzo Martin so far, and is dedicated to make a big time impact on the hardwood this season.
Renaldo makes it very clear that basketball comes first and works on his music during the little free time that he has throughout the year. He hopes his two passions help fuel each other and demonstrate his effortless work on the hardwood and in the studio. “I really want to take on a leadership role with the team this season,” said Woolridge. “I want to prove to everyone that I can have great success in music and basketball. I want this season to be the one that really opens the public’s eyes to what I can bring to the table.”
“Relay For Life” will take place at The University of Tennessee’s TREC from 11:00pm-12:30am. Renaldo has had great success in past events, such as his opening act for the Ying Yang Twins back in October, and tonight should be no different. If you’re in the Knoxville area tonight, I’d suggest going to take a look at the multi-talented superstar. Only time will tell what Woolridge’s future has in store, but count me in as a fan of “Swiperboy” in the studio, Renaldo on the court, and even more so of the Renaldo off the court.
