Usain Bolt’s impact on athletics has been nothing short of legendary. His notoriety and influence in global pop culture are equally impressive with the track icon referenced over 1,000 times in music among rappers, Deejays and singers.
Drake’s affinity for Jamaican music and culture has been a well-documented case. However, before that, his recognition of Bolt’s dominion in the track world was a notable reference during the rapper’s rise. The reference came in the first verse of his track Juice-“I’m still ‘fly’ You can’t float, run this sh#t Usain Bolt,” the Toronto native declared as he compared Bolt’s athletic dominance to his influence.
Perhaps the most unsurprising artiste to reference the Sprint titan, Vybz Kartel, of whom Bolt is a massive fan, delivered some of his most noted references to the Legendary athlete on Adidaking, fitting on Usain Bolt’s production.
“05 till now me hold da lead yah, catch me if you can, you name nuh Bolt you nuh have dem speed yah,” Kartel boasts in his verse before adding “Gold like Beijing” in the bridge of the track, which is also a reference to Bolt’s break out Olympic performances.
This 2022 Kodak Black track also took inspiration from Bolt’s exploits, with the video treatment also using track reference as part of its theme, a salute to the Jamaican legend.
Rapper Lil Baby also name-dropped the iconic sprinter as a metaphor for getting money quickly in his track aptly titled Usain Bolt. “Like I’m running full blast for these racks(non-stop) Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt,” he bellows in the chorus.
Bolt’s speed was a standout punchline in this 2008 Akon classic, where the Konvict music boss noted the pace in which his opposition retreated in times of conflict- “Aint that funny, Gorrillas, they want war but ain’t got money, cuz I ‘seen’ them all talking until they start gunning, quicker than Usain Bolt the fastest thing running.”
