Who knew that asking Zion Williamson about his Kendrick Lamar listening habits would send him into such a spiral?
The New Orleans Pelicans star walked out on an interview during the team’s media day Tuesday after being asked why he didn’t have the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performer on his playlist.
Williamson laughed when a reporter asked him why the rapper’s music wasn’t on his offseason workout playlist. Specifically, the reporter cited “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us.”
“Jesus Christ… What made you ask that second question?” Williamson responded.
“I just feel like you had two good songs you could have been playing in the gym,” the reporter replied after the Pelicans star said his offseason workout list included “Ready to Die” by Notorious B.I.G. and Nas ‘ Illmatic, as well as rappers Larry June and Currensy.
“Notorious BIG Ready to Die, that’s always in the mix. Nas Illmatic. Gotta throw Larry June up there. A lot of @CurrenSy_Spitta… When I started training I feel like Curren$y was heavy in the mix”
— Zion Williamson on his soundtrack for the summer pic.twitter.com/2sWvQoegse
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) September 30, 2024
“I hear you. But you know, you’re entitled to your opinion,” Williamson replied. “I’m entitled to mine. But saying that, c’mon, it’s Kendrick Lamar. Like, I really gotta sit up here and talk about how good of an artist he is?”
With that, Williamson got up and left the press conference.
Zion walked out after they asked him why he wasn’t listening to Kendrick Lamar 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/LzR7qAXn6l
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) September 30, 2024
Williamson has had to listen to a lot of feedback and criticism about his workout regime and weight. He’s presumably developed a thick skin because of that. It’s a little surprising to see that it was a question about his workout playlist that made him crack.

About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.
Recent Posts
Pat McAfee got approval from Donald Trump to broadcast live from White House for UFC card
The event will air June 14 as part of the America 250 festivities celebrating the quarter-millennium anniversary of the founding of the U.S.
Elle Duncan confirmed as Netflix’s lead MLB host
Elle Duncan will host Netflix's baseball coverage, including Opening Night and the Home Run Derby, her agent confirmed.
2026 MLB schedule from Fox and TBS highlight TV complexity
The announcements highlight the many different TV and streaming platforms baseball fans will need to watch games in 2026.
Chuck Klosterman: Appearances on Bill Simmons’ podcast ‘detrimental to the appreciation of my writing’
Klosterman raises a bigger question about the way creative output is received in an age where most artists and thinkers must also develop public personas.
Ryan Clark just wants to be understood
"When people attack you from a point of misunderstanding, it’s difficult for me to stomach"
Indiana-Miami secures most-watched CFP title game since debut
Indiana's win averaged 30.1 million viewers across the ESPN family of networks.