The Pre-Game Playlist Part II: The Flip Side

As our regular readers will remember, Big Daddy Drew used this space last week to profile his picks for the best pre-game locker room music. His list was a reflection of his personal experience and his musical background, while lots of our readers loved the list there was also a fair amount of dissension. In response I decided to compile a mix of songs from a genre more befitting my tastes. Keep in mind, this is the mix that I'd have on my Ipod if I were an NFL Player. I'm not saying these are the best songs of all time, instead this is the music that fuels my inspiration.

So take a look at my list and feel free to chime in with your reactions and a list of your own (if you feel so inclined).
Note: This is not a ranking of the top ten, instead it is the order I would want the songs to appear on my playlist.

1. Ante Up remix MOP ft. Busta Rhymes

If this song doesn't get you jacked up you probably aren't breathing. The beat lends itself perfectly to Busta's hard hitting style. This an absolute must for any pregame session.

2. Bia Bia Lil' Jon and the Eastside Boys ft. Ludacris

Granted I'm not the biggest fan of southern rap, but it's songs like these that make all the other crap worthwhile. Songs like these are what makes people want to hit other people; for our purposes, that's a good thing. A few minutes of this song could turn Andy Katzenmoyer into Ray Lewis...for a few seconds at least.

3. Hit 'em Up Tupac

This Tupac gem is perfect for any true renegade linebacker (I'm looking at you LaVar). It's all about one man taking on a line of enemies without the slightest hint of backing down. As much as I love my East Coast, I've gotta say that this is the best of all the feud songs.

4. Boom Royce da 5'9"

An absolute classic from an artist you may not expect to see in this sort of company. The beat alone will lift you up and carry you out to warmups. Every undersized defensive back in the league might as well set their ipod on reapeat when this pops up. I actually find it difficult to watch an Ed Reed highlight reel without Royce running through my head.

5. Deadly Combination Big L ft. Tupac

Just an absolutely epic track for so many different reasons. The combination of the powerful beat and sublime lyrics are perfect for a tandem like Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. While the two may come from entirely different places and got to the top in entirely different fashion they are able to function like brothers from another mother. Anybody who's seen the episode of ESPN's Teamates with Carson and Chad know exactly what I'm talking about. The same is definately true for Tupac and Big L, hopefully Carson and Chad's combination will only be deadly for the opponents.

6. M-E-T-H-O-D Man Wu Tang Clan

The intro to this gem should make you a little sickened at first, and that's an ideal way to prepare for a violent competition. This is the kind of song I imagine Alvin Mack listened to before every ESU game.

7. Who Run It 3 6 Mafia

All the badass running backs in the league have got to be blasting this song. They're the ones with the targets on their backs and if they have their way, that's all the defense is going to see. The fast paced beat should get you all riled up, if not, Crunchy Black will shove his Oscar up your ass.

8. What's My Name DMX

With all do respect to Dylan, DMX is the only rapper out there that spits hot fire. He could read the Magna Carta aloud and get people to scream the words along with him. There's no better example of his tenacious style than this anthem. Any player suffering from low self-esteem (Aaron Brooks) needs a song like this. It's the football player's equivalent of a daily affirmation.

9. Forgot About Dre Dr. Dre ft. Eminem

I'm sending out this song over the airwaves with a dedication to al the Brett Favres of the world. Sure everybody on the periphery thinks he's totally washed up and out of the game, but now he's got a chance to come back and blow everybody's shit out of the water. Of course I donst expect Favress 2006 campaign to see the success of Chronic 2001, it's not entirely impossible (just ask all of those douchey NFL pundits).

10. Kick In the Door Notorious BIG

There's no list without Biggie, it's that simple. This one's about nothing more than utter domination of the game. Plus, any reference to Howard Homecoming results in bonus points as far as I'm concerned.

Bonus Post Game Cool Down

11. Seventh Floor Crew The U

Hell, half the league went to the U. It just wouldn't be right to leave off such a classic. The chorus really speaks for itself...

If your ho only know
That she was gettin’ fucked on the 7th flo’
If that bitch only knew
That she was gettin’ muddied by the whole damn crew.