Lawrence Taylor’s name alone conjures images of unrelenting chaos on the football field—a generational talent whose ferocity redefined defensive football in the NFL. But behind the Hall of Fame hits, the two-time Super Bowl champion and 1986 NFL MVP has always been more layered than just a gridiron warrior. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Taylor opened up about life beyond the field—from his early days in hip hop culture to an unexpected pivot into Hollywood alongside legends.
Best known for terrorizing quarterbacks with the New York Giants, LT has also shared screen time with Samuel L. Jackson in the 2000 film Shaft, a role that surprised fans but felt surprisingly natural to the man who never shied away from the spotlight. As Taylor reflects, it was more than just a cameo—it was a cultural moment that added another layer to his complex legacy.
Beyond lights, cameras, and sack totals, music has played a deep role in Taylor’s identity. He doesn’t shy away from admitting that his pre-game preparation often came with a soundtrack—hardcore, aggressive, and raw, just like his playing style. In fact, hip-hop wasn’t just background noise for LT—it was fuel. And in the late ’80s and early ’90s, there was no shortage of fire in that genre.
Taylor’s era paralleled the rise of hip-hop in New York, with groups like Public Enemy, Run-DMC, and Eric B. & Rakim exploding in influence. His affinity for hardcore tracks matched the intensity he brought to the field, and in this interview, he reveals just how deep that connection ran. “You don’t play soft when Chuck D is in your ears,” he said with a grin.
On today’s episode of the Scoop B Radio Podcast, LT walks us through what it was like to trade lines with Samuel L. Jackson, the music that moved him, and his personal playlist that powered some of football’s most unforgettable performances. From the studio to the stadium, Taylor remains unapologetically himself—raw, real, and ready to talk.
Here’s an excerpt from our dialogue below:
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What do you remember most about filming Shaft with Samuel L. Jackson, and what did being part of that movie mean to you?
Lawrence Taylor: Do I remember doing the movie with those guys and stuff? Of course I remember, man! [laughs] As a matter of fact, I was talking about it today! But those are the little moments that you know you just — it’s not what you do but it’s what you did. And I’ll tell you what, I’m just happy that I was just to be a part of that. Yeah.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What kind of music did you listen to before and after games, and how did it set the mood for you mentally?
Lawrence Taylor: See, I’m a smooth type of person. I don’t want nothing wild and Nigga this and nigga this… and I don’t want all that, you know what I’m sayin’? Just talk to me gently like they’re trying to get me to sleep and then I go out there and have a great time!
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Did you ever get into the harder-edged stuff like Public Enemy, and how did that kind of music hit you back then?
Lawrence Taylor: [laughs] Oh Fight the Power? That’s good! I ain’t got no problem with that! [smiling]… I mean listen, there’s some guys that I let by like that. Public Enemy was pretty good.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who were some of your favorite hip-hop or R&B artists back in your playing days, and what kind of music did you connect with the most?
Lawrence Taylor: Oh man! I’m an old man! The rap years came and gone and stuff like that. I like Luther Vandross. I like Whitney Houston… I like a person that sings to me and puts me to sleep, that’s what I’m talking about! [laughs]
Lawrence Taylor’s impact on football is undeniable, but this conversation sheds light on the man behind the mayhem—a lover of hip-hop, a student of performance, and a cultural icon whose influence stretches far beyond sacks and stat sheets. Whether trading bars on screen or vibing to a track before kickoff, LT has always lived life with the same tenacity that made him a household name.
Hearing him recount the Shaft experience adds color to his legacy. He didn’t just step onto a Hollywood set; he stamped his presence alongside one of cinema’s most commanding actors. In typical LT fashion, he didn’t play a role—he became it. It was more than a moment; it was a reminder that Lawrence Taylor’s story extends far beyond Sundays.
Equally fascinating was LT’s dive into the beats and bars that drove his engine. From the thunder of Public Enemy to the classic rhymes of New York’s greatest MCs, the soundtrack of his life mirrors the relentless spirit that defined his career. It’s no coincidence that his favorite artists echoed the same themes of resistance, power, and raw authenticity.
At a time when athletes are increasingly viewed as multifaceted, Taylor was ahead of his time—embracing music, film, and cultural commentary decades before it became the norm. His willingness to speak openly about what moved him—be it Chuck D’s voice or a scene partner like Sam Jackson—reminds us that icons are often shaped by more than what we see on highlight reels.
LT’s legacy was never confined to the football field. It was etched into the culture—through his style, sound, and spirit. This conversation confirms what fans have always known: Lawrence Taylor wasn’t just playing a game. He was moving through life like a mixtape—loud, legendary, and unforgettable.
