John Cena: The Rap That Forged the “Doctor Thuganomics” and His Legacy in WWE

John Cena: From the Wrestling Ring to the Microphone, a Story of Hip-Hop and Wrestling

Before becoming a wrestling legend, John Cena was at a crossroads. Despite being considered the future of WWE in the mid-2000s, he struggled to connect with the audience. It was on a European tour, during a freestyle session with other wrestlers, where he found the key to stand out: “The Doctor of Thuganomics”. This new persona revitalized Cena’s career, propelling him to stardom. But his foray into rap on “SmackDown” was not just a gimmick, but an expression of his true passion for hip-hop, a facet that accompanied him from before the jorts and retro t-shirts.

He was a kid who liked rap, and then he became a wrestler.

Esoteric (Seamus Ryan), friend of Cena

Cena’s freestyle evolved into the album “You Can’t See Me”, released on May 10, 2005. The album fused his witty rhymes with underground production. It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned his entrance theme, “The Time Is Now”, which is still used 20 years later. Cena, a hip-hop purist, delved into the underground scene, collaborating with lesser-known artists but with a solid fanbase. This decision reflected his authenticity and his deep respect for the culture. Bumpy Knuckles, whose real name is James Campbell, a rapper and producer recognized in the world of hip-hop, was one of those who collaborated with Cena. Campbell remembers having been pleasantly surprised by Cena’s talent in the studio. Cena’s motivation for creating the album was his dissatisfaction with the generic rap music that WWE provided him. He wanted to create something that reflected his true musical influences.

Maybe I can make better music than the standard rap music they’re making for me in Connecticut [WWE headquarters].

John Cena in an interview on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast

In the early 2000s, producer Jake One received an unexpected opportunity. Although he had worked with artists like 50 Cent and De La Soul, his greatest success came thanks to a CD of beats that he gave to a professional wrestler for his debut album. Jake One received $30,000 for three beats. One of those tracks, “The Time is Now”, became a wrestling anthem. On March 17, 2005, Cena debuted his new theme song on “SmackDown.” Although the theme has generated much more money than he received, the producer feels grateful to have been part of a crucial moment in Cena’s career.

It’s one of those things that refuses to disappear.

Jake One

The album “You Can’t See Me” was more than “The Time Is Now.” Cena, along with Trademarc, offered a 17-song album full of bravado and style. Unlike the rap performances of “Macho Man” Randy Savage, where the music felt inauthentic, Cena exuded the elements of the culture, from four-finger rings to his witty rhymes and an ear for production. The creation of “You Can’t See Me” involved collaborating with key figures from the underground rap scene, demonstrating that Cena was not exploiting the culture. Murs, a reference in California’s underground hip-hop scene, collaborated with Cena on the remix of “H-U-S-T-L-E” in 2004, before the release of Cena’s album. Murs met Cena at a mutual friend’s apartment. Cena was sitting there. It wasn’t a fancy place by any means, but here was a WWE superstar just hanging out on the couch. We talked for a while and really hit it off. Campbell, who participated in four songs, played an important role in the creation of Cena’s album. But most importantly, he never wrote a single rhyme for Cena. Ryan, who is featured on the album with the song “Beantown”, said that the final product exceeded the expectations of a professional wrestler looking to make a hip-hop album. The album received a moderate reception, with RapReviews rating it 7.5 out of 10. Two decades after the release of “You Can’t See Me”, that version of Cena is almost unrecognizable. Although the characteristic denim shorts are still intact, the rhymes and aggressive personality have disappeared, giving way to a more polished and healthy version of the wrestler. Cena decided to stop rapping and shifted his focus towards a more family-friendly and child-oriented image. Now, at 48 and nearing the end of his career in the ring, Cena has traded his retro t-shirts and freestyles for suits and Hollywood scripts. But, “You Can’t See Me” will remain a triumph and a crucial moment in Cena’s career. And although he is no longer immersed in hip-hop, Cena will always remain authentically hip-hop.

I don’t think WWE ever told him to act like hip-hop, I think John showed up like that.

Campbell