I can see Lamar Odom right now: face down, his head in the pillows, with rain drops sliding down his window, slow jams playing from his iPod dock, and his old Dallas gear wrinkled up in the corner. When you’re as talented as Odom and you end up basically being banished from basketball, something is wrong. Over the lockout this summer, he struggled with the murder of his 24-year-old cousin, and just days later was also a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a motorcycle, killing a teen pedestrian. Death and tragedy have followed Odom wherever he’s gone, like a dark curse that’ll never stop blocking the sun.
As a millionaire playing a “game,” it’s easy to tell Odom to suck it up and do his job. But hitting rock bottom is something we can all relate to.
I’m sure not what The Goods is doing right now, but I’d bet my bushel of stolen music that he’s got something playing.
Here’s a 10-track playlist that could help lift Odom’s spirits:
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1. T.I. – “Live Your Life”
This is an obviously nice starting point because for everything he’s gone through, Odom can be thankful for quite a lot.
2. Ice Cube – “Today Was A Good Day”
We all know L.A. is Odom’s heaven. For the former Sixth Man of the Year, it was the perfect coach, perfect team and perfect city. What music screams Los Angeles more than Ice Cube and “Today Was A Good Day?” I’d tell Odom to pull out the whip and take a ride around the city with this playing.
3. Smokey Robinson – “Cruisin'”
Because we have to mix it up a little. This is a feel-good track whether you listen to the original or even D’Angelo‘s cover. That was a panty dropper as well. Odom’s been caught singing slow jams before on “Khloe & Lamar” before.
4.Montell Jordan – “This Is How We Do It”
Anyone who can’t feel good about themselves after popping this in at a party should seek counseling. I’m sure Odom’s idea of a party is Montell Jordan talking about how he went from the lowercase “g” to a big “G” while LO sucks down some Starbust.
5. Mobb Deep – “Win Or Lose”
Being from Queens himself, Odom must’ve spun a few Mobb Deep records in his lifetime. And while they’ve fallen off to the point where a potential breakup – hinted at on Twitter – almost feels like a mercy, Prodigy and Havoc come through on this one.
The chorus should be enough to at least break a smile out of Odom:
Here I go again, whether I, win or looooose
But losin ain’t a option girl
My destination is top of the world, top of the world
Here I go again, here I come, win or looooose
But losin ain’t a option girl
My destination is top of the world, top of the world
6. NaS – “Surviving The Times”
We gotta make sure this is the Chris Webber-produced joint. As Nasir describes in the lyrics, it’s all about reflection and reminiscing. You know how when you’re a kid and you do stupid things? Sneaking out at night to meet chicks. Stealing packs of sports cards. Getting scared by clowns and dumb movies. You remember it all through this track. And you smile.
7. A Tribe Called Quest – “Award Tour”
Need me to explain? Try listening to this song without bobbing your head. You can’t. Try listening to this three minutes and 46 seconds of pure party from Midnight Marauders and not feel better about yourself. Rap with Phife now, LO: I never let a statue tell me how nice I am…
8. Musiq Soulchild – “B.U.D.D.Y.”
Everyone needs a B.U.D.D.Y. and Odom could use as many as possible right now.
9. The Notorious B.I.G. – “Hypnotize”
C’mon. Did you really think I would go anywhere else? If you want to be different, you could throw on “I Love The Dough” here and no one would complain. But this jam is one of my all-time favorite feel-good tracks. Maybe I’m the only one, but after I hear this, there’s always a little Chris Rock voice inside my head pushing me to go cop Persian rugs and a bulletproof, glass-tinted Lexus.
10. 50 Cent – “Candy Shop”
And last but definitely not least is one of the songs that began 50 Cent’s downfall towards ultimately becoming the man (Ja Rule) he despised and ridiculed. Odom may not even get the true meaning, and I don’t think he’d want to anyways. Any song with stuff like “I’ll take you to the candy shop” and “I’ll lick you like a lollipop” and “I’ll melt in your mouth, not in your hand” could probably get Odom dreaming about Twizzlers, Gummy Bears and Hershey’s white chocolate cookies and cream.
What mix would you make for LO?
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