Jay Z, Eminem, Slick Rick and more remember Muhammad Ali

Jay Z, Eminem, Slick Rick and more remember Muhammad Ali

NEW YORK (AP) — Muhammad Ali was not a rapper, but to many of the genre's best lyricists, he was influential in paving the way for hip-hop stars to succeed and had a lasting impact on the art form.

[...] rappers love saying his name, referencing his iconic career or reciting "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" in their songs, including the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," the Fugees' "Ready or Not," EPMD's "You're a Customer" and Will Smith's "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."

From Jay Z to Eminem to Chuck D, some of hip-hop's strongest voices remember the late, great Ali in their own words, through statements and interviews with The Associated Press.

JAY Z

Muhammad Ali has been a constant source of inspiration and a heroic figure throughout my life.

Ali taught us all to never give up, and his dedication and determination left a legacy of perseverance in the face of hardship.

"Muhammad Ali was never afraid to speak his mind," Combs continued.

Along with his tremendous athletic talent, he provided all of us with an image of strength, intelligence, self-assurance, and an in-your-face confidence that one could only admire.

Float like a butterfly & sting like a bee was bigger than all rap hits combined.

"When his fights would come on, my family would sit around ... what I would call a floor model television ... and it was kind of like the minute he started winding it up and he started dancing around the room, he could make the whole room stand up," Pharrell said in an interview.