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SportsLeBron JamesSep 18, 2025

LeBron James Reveals Why He Butchers Rap Lyrics: ‘The New Rappers…Sometimes They Lose Me’ 

He swears he's not the problem. 

By Precious Fondren
Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

LeBron James has finally addressed one of the internet’s favorite running jokes: why he never seems to know the words when he posts himself “rapping” along to songs.

In a sit-down with Complex’s Speedy Morman, the NBA legend gave some long-awaited clarity on why his lip-syncing often feels… improv-adjacent.

“That’s just the new shit. The new rappers—I hear the melody. I hear the rap. Sometimes they lose me, but then I can get it back,” he admitted when Speedy brought up the topic.

LeBron insisted the problem isn’t him but today’s rappers.

“Guarantee you take me back to the ’90s, early 2000s, I can rap a whole song of an artist for sure, front to back, no question about it," he said. "These new rappers sometimes—they lose me for a little bit. They bring me back, but they lose me for a little bit.”

“Back in the 90s 00s when he could still memorize lyrics 😂 just proved his point,” one person joked on TikTok.

Another wrote, “Lmaoooo man him rapping Durk and 6lack will never fail to crack me tf up 💀💀💀.” 

A third chimed in, “Him trying to explain and saying new rappers is so Unc coded 🤣🤣🤣.”

The confession tracks with years of internet evidence. From Ken Carson to Lil Baby, Ice Cube to Glorilla, Tee Grizzley to Lil Durk, fans have watched LeBron enthusiastically bob his head while fumbling bars . And yet, he keeps uploading the clips!

Maybe that’s just what you can do when you’re a legend. 

@rapgoats092 My Goat really needs to learn some Lyrics😭😂 #rap #lebron #lebronjames #lyrics #funny #goat ♬ original sound - RapGoats092
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