Athletes love EDM!! Across all sports, when you see the stars heading into their stadiums or preparing for events, many of them can be seen wearing headphones.
While some may speculate that it’s just part of an endorsement deal, it’s often much more than that; it’s a key component of their pre-match preparation. Music helps motivate athletes and can keep them focussed on the task at hand, blocking out the noise and distraction of media, fans, and whatever else stands between them and the field or court.
What is it they’re listening to? There’s no doubt that we all have different ways to ready ourselves for the toughest of tests. Some listen to audiobooks to relax before the pressure kicks in, while other people could take on board some motivational speeches, then some ramp up the volume to rise to the occasion with a thumping playlist. When it comes to the latter, you can certainly see those who choose that do that; they leave us in no doubt, nodding along or even striding to a repetitive beat.
Let’s put our best foot forward and get into the list of athletes who love the beats of EDM.
1 – Rob Gronkowski
One of the best tight ends in NFL history, & ‘Gronk’ has long been a fan of EDM, and if it was ever in any doubt, just look at the video for Kygo’s track, ‘I’ll Wait.’ As mentioned by Bleacher Report, he features prominently in it with his girlfriend, Camille Kostek.
Gronkowski has often hosted parties where he’s been the hype man, and he’s been on stage with Marshmello and the legendary music producer and DJ, Steve Aoki. If he’s to come back into the fold with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for one last hit at the Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady this year, imagine what the party would be like if they were to succeed again!
2 – Jason Kipnis
The former Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs second baseman Jason Kipnis has certainly hinted over the years that he’s a lover of EDM; after all, his walk-out song was Satisfaction by Benni Benassi.
The thumping track certainly got him up for facing some of the fastest of fastballs at the plate and made him one of the most determined players when it came to stealing bases. Nicknamed ‘Dirtbag’ due to his regular diving attempts for safety, we wonder how many of Kipnis’s 100+ successful plays came from being hyped up by the Italian DJ’s tunes? Athletes EDM!!
3 – Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott is one of football’s biggest stars and has been ever since he first took to the field in 2013. At college, he was a record-breaker, and it’s continued in the big league as he’s been featured in the Pro Bowl team three times in six years. The Cowboys star running back loves EDM and is often seen at festivals across the US, and like Gronkowski, Elliott is a fan of Steve Aoki.
However, that’s where the similarities end, as Elliott is yet to win a Super Bowl ring, and he’s a current underdog with the Cowboys, as they are not fancied in the most up-to-date NFL odds at Ladbrokes. Although, if the 26-year-old can strike up a tune with his quarterback and fellow EDM lover, Dak Prescott, this coming season, then anything is possible, even a Super Bowl appearance. If the Bengals can do it, anyone can.
4 – Shaquille O’Neal
The NBA legend, one of the best centers ever to play the game of basketball, is now one of the most respected DJs in the US. Not satisfied with his haul of four championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards, ‘Shaq’ has taken his hands off the ball and put them firmly on the decks. Not only does he use his sizable social media following to share his love of all things EDM, but he also takes his show on the road playing numerous shows and events. With none more apt than Shaq being selected to tip off the start of the NBA All-Star weekend.
