John Cena’s Surprising Rap Roots
It can be difficult to imagine, but John Cena was once very involved in rap music. While his rapping days seem like a thing of the past, they were an essential part of his journey to becoming the international superstar we see today. He was not only a wrestler twenty years ago, he also made some noise in the music industry when he debuted as a rapper with his first album. Since then, he has turned into a household name and a successful actor, abandoning music as it came with more fame.
With the evolution of Cena’s career, he did not need music for popularity anymore. His success in Hollywood and his widespread recognition as a professional wrestler meant that his days as a rapper were behind him. However, even though he left his rap career behind him, John Cena never lost interest in this type of genre. Even if rap is no longer driving his fame now or any time soon; still music especially rap means much to him.
During appearance at Club Shay Shay podcast recently, Cena talked about some of his favorite rap tunes too. During that talk-show moment, the host asked him if he had to come up with four most influential emcees through history: personal “Mount Rushmore.” They were well thought out rather than making them controversial picks. Cena’s choices were surprising because they showed how much respect and knowledge he had for hip-hop culture reflected in them which people didn’t expect from him. Every explanation for each pick denoted this big love for the arts form by Shaina herself. He didn’t include Logic among his favorites but those he chose showed off an all-around educated view on rap music from him.
Cena On Anticipated Backlash
John Cena was fully aware that there would be strong reactions to each decision that he made. By selecting top rappers who will excite debates leaving out some fan-favorite artists surely marks one side of the controversy. Cena was aware that this could be controversial and addressed it openly before giving his answers. He understood that music is subjective, “Everyone has their bias,” he said. In addition, he added personal tastes greatly influence musical connection by stating “I know the list is gonna incite riots, [but] we all have our bias, our favorites. That’s what makes music special.” This comment demonstrates his awareness of how individualized listening to music can be, as everyone’s preferences are shaped by different life experiences.
After a moment’s pause though, John Cena eventually revealed his favorite rap artists when Shannon Sharpe asked him about them on Club Shay Shay podcast. Although they may not be popular with others, he didn’t hold back from showing where his inclinations were. When probed by Shannon Sharpe in the course of an interview on the Club Shay Shay podcast even after initial reluctance followed by hesitation, John Cena went on to name his top rappers. He asserted that the majority of names on his rap Mount Rushmore were artists hailing from New York, which was a choice obviously influenced by where he grew up. The three rappers who made his list were Nas, JAY-Z and Rakim—each a legend in their own right; Cena’s choices were steeped in East Coast culture particularly the “boom bap” sound that dominated there.
Love for Wordplay and Poetry
John Cena manifests his deep love of wordplay and poetry through his favorite rappers. He also discussed how this obsession with intricate verses and witty wordplay has influenced not only his taste in music but WWE career as well. The wrestler, in an interview, confessed to having a WWE persona that borrowed heavily from the lyrical ability, and poetic nature of East coast hip-hop scene. Through this connection between rap and wrestling character, we get to know how rappers such as Cena’s favorite have impacted almost all aspects of his life and profession.
Cena’s choices indicate more than just a mere interest on rap; they underscore how much the east coast rap scene influenced him during his formative years. By choosing Nas, JAY-Z, and Rakim, Cena was showing great respect not only to these great artists but also the kind of rap he really liked. This selection reinforces his preference for a poetic style of rapping, which is characterized by wordplays mostly found within East Coast hip-hop scenes. This cultural impact followed even after he stopped being a rapper.
However Cena anticipated that there would be people who wouldn’t agree with those names; still he defended them anyway. But above all else, it wasn’t going to stop him from sharing what he loved most because everyone’s musical journey is different based on their various experiences. It is interesting that even though one expects criticism of such preferences, the artist was open enough about it. John Cena’s incredible self-assurance along with others’ perception makes him feel comfortable enough discussing these choices since they were deeply rooted in them culturally.
Cena’s Admiration for Eminem
John Cena has had a deep-seated admiration for Eminem since way back, proving that Detroit rapper occupies a special place within Cena’s preferred musicians. When asked who made the top four list on his personal Mount Rushmore of hip hop artists, no one should be surprised that Cena went with Eminem. From the very start of his music career, for example, Cena has always drawn inspiration from the rapper’s unique delivery and lyrical genius.
Cena’s admiration for Eminem isn’t just a passing phase; it’s something that has persisted throughout his career. Since he was in the WWE up to now as a Hollywood superstar, John Cena has not been shy about expressing his respect for Eminem as an artist. This adoration was not just a fleeting liking but rather an acknowledgement of this one amazing poet amongst us all according to John. For years, Cena has considered Eminem to be one of the most profound poets of our generation. The multi-syllabic rhymes and complex metaphors used by the rapper which have deeply touched so many people are part of what makes him distinctively different from other rappers.
Cena does not just admire Eminem; he respects him to the extent of wanting to work with him. Cena once aspired for Eminem to remix his iconic WWE theme song, believing that such a collaboration would bring out a fresh and dynamic element in the track. While this dream has not come true yet, it demonstrates how much Cena values Eminem’s abilities. With his personal touch, John views Eminem as the kind of artist who can turn something already adored into a higher level.
The Poet’s Touch
In an Esquire interview in 2022, Cena went on to explain why Eminem is important to him. He said he was the rapper who was “one of the most talented and prolific lyricists” he had ever come across. Cena’s selection of words shows how much he values his brother’s performing skills. He told me that if it were up to Eminem, he would change my music into something amazing without thinking about it too much. That’s why Cena felt like the latter would “just take over” and show him how the song should be done.
This enduring admiration for Eminem sheds light on both Cena’s taste in music and his respect for rap as an art form. Even as Cena moved on from his own music career, he still respected artists like Eminem. While working with Eminem may seem far-fetched, this possibility still excites John who clearly considers him the greatest rapper alive at present. For a true craftsman like John who truly loves what he is doing and knows who Em really is in hip-hop terms, openly voicing out willingness to link up with this icon reveals not only his love for real art but also the level of greatness Em holds among rap heavyweights.
But while John Cena is widely known in professional wrestling circles, he did not rise to fame solely because of athletic ability. Despite being recognized by most people as WWE superstar extraordinaire, few are aware that rapping actually played a huge role in his wrestling success story. Although today Cena is better known as a wrestler than ever before when people talk about him in relation to rap music, it often relates back to this talent that saved his career down at WWE.
The Turning Point in 2023
During an open conversation on Whiskey Ginger podcast in 2023, John told us how one moment shifted everything around him from rap as a hobby to a lifeline. He noted that his talent for rhyming wasn’t only a fun little side gig but something that literally “sustained” him at WWE. According to Cena, his rapping skills came to the attention of Stephanie McMahon, the daughter of WWE’s executive chairman Vince McMahon. It was her realization of Cena’s unique talent that really took his career off in a major way.
Cena later on recounted an important moment with Stephanie McMahon that altered his path forever. At the time she was running the writing staff for WWE, allowing her substantial sway over its on-screen characters and storylines. Stephanie told him directly, “Well, make something up about me right now.” This was a turning point for John which he did not let slip away. What he managed to come out with off the top of his head stuck with Stephanie who thought it would be interesting if his wrestling character embraced this rap persona too.
From Rhyme to Ring
After that, Cena took off with his career and never looked back. His unprepared performance in front of Stephanie McMahon not only put him on the map but also had him get more television time, which allowed him to fine-tune this character into something iconic. No longer was Cena just a side act when it comes to rapping; rather, his wrestling persona was incomplete without these rap skills. It was through blending music with wrestling that Cena acquired a unique edge against other wrestlers endearing him to fans. One aspect of his character that sounded out above others was an ability to mix rap passion with wrestling career, which greatly appealed to the audience and could be attributed to constant winning at WWE.
It is therefore upon Stephanie’s encouragement that he started making it big in the world of professional wrestling. In her position as head of WWE writing team, she had control over new talents’ progression. All it took for her to make Cena shine was recognizing magic in his raps and giving him the stage needed. This turned out as the point where one of WWE’s influential people stood behind John Cena thereby embracing that moment firmly into history books of their sport. By recounting such instances on Whiskey Ginger podcast, he illustrates how much belief Stephanie had in his artistic gifts as well as the importance of this faith-based support.
Making WWE History
Looking back now, it seems like John’s talent for thinking quickly developed or crafting a rap on the spot marked starting point for what would be a memorable career within WWE annals. Mixing pro-wrestling with hip hop saved his career while also transforming him into one of those faces you would easily recognize from sports showbiz industry. As stated by John on Whiskey Ginger podcast, ’The best part about it is having moments like that.’ This moment became Cena’s hallmark and as they say, the rest is history.
