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January 19, 2023, West Hollywood, California, USA: GABRIELLE UNION and retired NBA player DWYANE WADE attend the season 3 premiere of Apple TV s Truth Be Told. West Hollywood USA Copyright: xBillyxBennightx

via Imago
January 19, 2023, West Hollywood, California, USA: GABRIELLE UNION and retired NBA player DWYANE WADE attend the season 3 premiere of Apple TV s Truth Be Told. West Hollywood USA Copyright: xBillyxBennightx
You know you’re the benchmark of success when they’re writing songs about you. Dwyane Wade can probably agree. With three NBA championship rings, the 13-time All-Star has been referenced in the lyrics of some of the greatest bards of this era. We’re talking, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Common, and more. An Instagram page dedicated to D-Wade compiled some of the best mentions of the NBA champ in hip-hop music. That’s when Wade’s wife and eternal cheerleader, Gabrielle Union, stepped in to remind the page they’re missing one memorable song.
With a net worth estimated at $150 million, you’d be hard-pressed to skip Nicki Minaj on any list. Union gave a friendly reminder to wade_legacy about her song.
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Gabrielle Union reminds the Internet about Nicki Minaj’s tribute to her husband
A spectacular career spanning 16 seasons, three NBA championships, and multiple accolades has made Dwyane Wade a muse to many hip-hop artists. Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Drake, Meek Mill, and Lil Durk are only some of the biggest names who have name-dropped Wade in their tracks.

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April 1, 2023: Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony on Feb. 22, 2020, in Miami Copyright: xMichaelxLaughlinx
Instagram page, wade_legacy, shared “A look at the best times Dwyane Wade’s name was referenced in songs.” The list included Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind, Kanye West’s The Glory, Jay-Z and Kanye’s collaborative track Gotta Have It, Common’s Blue Sky, Kendrick Lamar’s Blood Sport Freestyle, and Fetty Wap’s Rewind.
Now D-Wade has been mentioned in over a dozen songs. This is by no means a comprehensive list. However, his wife, Gabrielle Union, wouldn’t allow one artist to be skipped. Nicki Minaj rapped “They want that Union, they want that D-Wade” in her song, Want Some More. The song was one of the tracks in her third LP, Pinkprint, produced by Metro Boomin.
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Union commented under that post that they “Forgot Nicki’s verse…” And her request was heard. wade_legacy replied to Union’s comment with “There will be a part two. Dw.”
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More commenters also chimed in with their favorite D-Wade references that didn’t make the cut. Others also agreed with Union that Minaj deserved a top mention.
Dwyane Wade also referenced a D-Wade song
Comments under wade_legacy‘s post showed fans love Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 hit, Empire State of Mind. The song memorably chimes, “If Jeezy’s payin’ LeBron, I’m payin’ D-Wade.” Dwyane Wade himself shared the same post in his Stories but fixated on the Empire State of Mind line. The post is perfectly timed, with LeBron James announcing he is returning for his 21st NBA season.
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What Wade is implying with that post is open to interpretation. Which is your favorite reference to Dwyane Wade in a song? Reveal your D-Wade playlist in the comments.
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