20 Hip Hop Artists Who Threw Out The Ceremonial First Pitch

The pitcher's mound is a stage, a very different stage from the one rappers and singers are accustomed to standing upon. The ceremonial first pitch is ostensibly a celebration, and throwing the ball 60 feet in a particular direction may not seem like much of a challenge. But much can go wrong.

From Kendrick Lamar to Snoop Dogg to MC Hammer to 50 Cent (!), here are 20 hip hop artists who took the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.

While many first pitch throwers stand in front of the rubber, Kendrick opted to stand behind it. His motion and velocity are respectable, just enough to get the ball to the plate.

Got eeem. @kendricklamar pic.twitter.com/VBJExn2a58

This is a terrible first pitch but all is forgiven after Chance's celebration.

Take notes: this is a textbook ceremonial first pitch. Run out, don't milk it too long, exert your presence on the mound, throw a strike.

Nelly actually used to play baseball, but you wouldn't guess it from his first pitch, in which he mixed signals with his  catcher David Freese. "I thought it was a pitchout," Nelly explained afterward. "The pitchout was called!"

Disappointing showing from Sean Don. You know it's gonna go badly when he's taking lessons on throwing motion and grip right before he's set to take the mound. And despite the low quality of the pitch, you'd of guessed Sean had just waxed a game-winning three by the way he steps back and nods his head.

Docked points for taking a selfie and shaking off the catcher signs, but the man threw a strike (according to Macklemore's Instagram, the pitch traveled 38 MPH). 

Also: Toronto Blue Jays | 2015

Two solid showings from Snoop even though he was probably blunted on both occasions.

Might be the worst first pitch here if it weren't for Curtis Jackson. It looks like Cudi was heaving a wounded duck. Fortunately no one was there to see it.

Some nice movement from Trigga Trey... forkball?

The crowd booed him... rightfully so.

Also: San Diego Padres | 2015

Lil Jon's first pitches are not quite as good as lineup annoucing (which is incredible). His wind-up involves lots of rocking back and forth. The result is a kind of modified eephus pitch.

Said the Padres announcers of Lil Jon's throwing motion: "no one's perfect."

One of the better first pitches. Competent throwing motion, strike, celebrates with the quite first pump. Cargo shorts!!

Drake says he used to be good at baseball, and it's believable from the pitch but you can tell he wasn't all that by the interview -- he says he had a "decent arm", and played right field (where they put the bitches), and declining to give his career batting average.

Maybe the most touching first pitch here, because it was undoubtedly one of the shining moments for the "Moving Like Bernie" rapper. His pitch is juuuuuuuuust a bit outside! But he redeems himself with a celebratory bernie.

The Trill OG has thrown out the first pitch on multiple occasions for his hometown Astros.

Surprisingly decent effort from Ne-Yo.

Arguably the best pitch here -- certainly the hardest thrown. Hammer has a fucking cannon.

The walk to the mound almost did ol' Biz in... pitch a bit lackluster, but his pitcher's scowl was top notch.

Salt actually killed it. Pepa not so much.

Many rappers lose their swagger as they walk to the mound -- not so with Big Boi, who is clearly in his element despite a mediocre pitch.

The undisputed GOAT rapper first pitches.