Every Song And When They Play

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for American Sports Story.FX and Hulu’s new limited series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez features a robust and relevant soundtrack. Josh Rivera leads the American Sports Story cast as Aaron Hernandez, the former collegiate and NFL superstar tight end who was convicted of murdering semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd in 2015. Lloyd was just one of several criminal acts of violence that Hernandez was either directly a part of or implicated in throughout his football career as a member of the University of Florida Gators and the NFL’s New England Patriots.

American Sports Story is also accompanied by an original music score composed by David Klotz (American Horror Stories, The Watcher). Created by Stuart Zicherman (The Americans) and executive produced by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story), American Sports Story will span 10 episodes with new weekly episodes released every Tuesday from September 17 until November 12, 2024. Episode 1 “If It’s to Be” chronicles Hernandez’s stern upbringing in Bristol, Connecticut, while episode 2 “Consequences, with Extreme Prejudice” dives into his collegiate career at the University of Florida.

American Sports Story
is streaming now on Hulu.

American Sports Story Episode 1 Songs

“If It’s to Be”

“Ride (feat. Ludacris)” by Ciara: This song plays at the very beginning of American Sports Story as Aaron begins to get paranoid while in a Florida strip club with Sherrod. “Ride” was released as a single on Ciara’s 2010 album Basic Instinct and went platinum in the United States.

“There It Go (The Whistle Song)” by Juelz Santana: This popular 2005 song by Juelz Santana plays around the 28:30 mark in American Sports Story episode 1. Aaron asks his future girlfriend Shayanna Jenkins out to a school dance. The song also plays over a montage of Aaron playing on his high school basketball team before his cousin Tanya Singleton attacks his mother Terri Hernandez in the stands for sleeping with her husband, Jeff Cummings.

“Temperature” by Sean Paul: This very popular 2005 song by Sean Paul plays around the 32:30 mark in American Sports Story episode 1 as Aaron visits the University of Florida for the first time and meets head coach Urban Meyer. The song fits perfectly with the time that the scene takes place before Aaron began his collegiate career in 2007. It also alludes to Aaron’s impending party-boy status and the shift in temperature from Connecticut to Florida.

“Laffy Taffy” by D4L: This classic 2005 hip-hop song plays Aaron’s high school dance which he attends with Shayanna. It appears around the 36-minute mark in American Sports Story episode 1. “Laffy Taffy” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2006.

“Just a Dream” by Eric Roberson: This song plays moments after “Laffy Taffy” in American Sports Story episode 1 as Shayanna and Aaron embrace for a slow dance and talk about their futures. It’s a crucial scene that depicts Aaron seemingly in love with Shayanna while his friend and occasional romantic partner Dennis looks on from afar. The song also carries on as Aaron’s brother D.J. confronts Aaron for choosing to go to Florida after committing to UConn.

American Sports Story Episode 2 Songs

“Consequences, with Extreme Prejudice”

“Shakey Dog (Explicit)” by Ghostface Killah: This classic 2006 hip-hop track plays at the beginning of American Sports Story episode 2 and Aaron walks into a crowded University of Florida locker room surrounded by his new teammates. Aaron walks over to his new locker and finds a massive binder labeled “Playbook”, quickly discovering how much work, time, and effort he is expected to put into his new team. He also meets his new teammates, Maurkice Pouncey and Cam Newton, two future NFL stars.

“Party Up (Up In Here)” by DMX: Another classic hip-hop track appears around the 8:30 mark in American Sports Story episode 2 as Aaron and his teammates go out to experience the Gainesville nightlife. “Party Up (Up In Here)” was released in 2000, went 3x platinum, and was nominated for a Grammy. The song plays as Aaron begins to realize the perks of being a football player at the University of Florida.

“The Orange and Blue (Florida Gators Fight Song)” by University of Florida’s Marching Band: As Aaron heads out onto the field for the first time in his collegiate career, the classic Florida Gators Fight Song is performed by the university’s marching band around the 19:45 mark in American Sports Story episode 2. The Gators get fired up in the tunnel before storming onto the field in anticipation of their home opener in front of more than 90,000 screaming fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

“Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams: After the Florida Gators’ decisive 49-3 victory over Western Kentucky to kick off their 2007 season, Aaron and his teammates party in the dorms in American Sports Story episode 2. This classic 2004 song by Snoop Dogg plays in the background as Aaron and the partygoers celebrate the win.

“Roll It Up” by Blind Fury: This 2006 underground hip-hop song plays just before the 30-minute mark in American Sports Story episode 2. Aaron and his Connecticut friends Carlos Ortiz and Bo Wallace go out to experience the Florida nightlife when Ortiz’s overly aggressive behavior starts causing problems. Regardless, the bouncers of the bar know to protect the Gators at all costs, so Aaron and his entourage get out scot-free until a mysterious shooting takes place nearby toward the end of American Sports Story episode 2.

American Sports Story Episode 3 Songs

“Pray the Gay Away”

“Boom Boom Pow” by Black Eyed Peas: One of the biggest songs of the late 2010s aptly plays at the beginning of American Sports Story episode 3 as the University of Florida wins its third national championship and second in a span of three years under head coach Urban Meyer. “Boom Boom Pow” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive months following its February 22, 2009 release. It remains one of Black Eyed Peas’ most popular and successful songs and fits in perfectly with the celebratory atmosphere of the Florida Gators following their National Title win on January 8, 2009.

“Intro” by The xx: Another classic 2009 song plays around the 4:30 mark in American Sports Story episode 3. The mostly instrumental “Intro” by minimalist alternative rock band The xx is instantly recognizable as Aaron Hernandez and an unnamed Florida student meet in the basement of a University of Florida library to hook up in the bathroom secretly. It was the first song on The xx’s debut album xx which was released on August 14, 2009. It has been featured in many advertisements, television series, and movies, such as It’s Kind of a Funny Story and Project X.

“God of Wonders” by Third Day: This 2003 Christian rock song is performed by a religious band and sung by churchgoers at Tim Tebow’s service in American Sports Story. Hernandez attends one of Tebow’s church services around the 10:30 mark in episode 3 of the series after getting in a scuffle with his teammate Jordan Reed. The episode explores themes of Hernandez’s struggles with religion, faith, and morality and displays how Tebow tried to mentor Hernandez both on and off the field. In real life, Tebow is a devout Christian.

“Million Bucks (feat. Swizz Beatz): This popular 2009 hip-hop song plays around the 15:30 mark in American Sports Story episode 3. Hernandez is seen cleaning up his act and relinquishing himself from his vices, getting off porn sites and discarding his cannabis stash in a toilet. Hernandez hits the weight room and goes all in on being the best football player he can be, which enables him to win the prestigious John Mackey award at the end of the 2008-2009 season. Maino’s other notable songs include “All the Above (feat. T-Pain)” and “Hi Hater”, which were both released in 2009 around the time of American Sports Story episode 3.

American Sports Story Episode 4 Songs

“Birthday Money”

“Where I’m From” by House of Pain: This classic song by hip-hop trio House of Pain plays at the very beginning of American Sports Story episode 4. The song was a deep cut on the House of Pain’s 1994 album Same as It Ever Was, which is the second album in their discography. The episode begins with a flashback to D.J. Hernandez playing football in his yard with friends in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1996, which makes the title of the song fit well with the context of the scene.

“Right Round (feat. Ke$ha)” by Flo Rida: This popular song by hip-hop/pop artist Flo Rida appears immediately after the opening flashback scene in American Sports Story episode 4​​​​​​. The song plays in the background over multiple scenes of Aaron getting pitched by various sports agents after his successful football career at the University of Florida. Aaron’s brother D.J. is there as well to keep Aaron under control. “Right Round” finished 6th on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009.

“Going Back to Cali” by The Notorious B.I.G.: This iconic hip-hop song by The Notorious B.I.G. plays around the 7:45 mark in American Sports Story episode 4 as Aaron works out at the Athletes First training facility in Laguna Hills, California. The song was originally released on the 1997 album Life After Death, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997. It’s a perfect fit in the context of the series as Aaron visits California for the first time.

American Sports Story Episode 5 Songs

“The Man”

“General Patton” by Big Boi: This 2010 hip-hop song by Big Boi, who is one half of the celebrated southern hip-hop duo Outkast, was released on his first solo album, Sir Lucious Left Foot. It plays at the very beginning of American Sports Story episode 5 as Aaron Hernandez enters the esteemed ranks of the then 3-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Reality hits him as he is surrounded by current and future legends, including fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski.

“It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi: This classic Bon Jovi pop-rock song plays around the 3-minute mark in American Sports Story episode 5. In a surreal scene, a dramatized version of Bill Belichick blasts the song alone in his office at Gillette Stadium, mumbling and singing along to the lyrics. It appears to be how Belichick pumps himself up before practice in the series. In reality, Belichick is a big fan and personal friend of Bon Jovi, so this scene and song were likely thrown into the series to establish that real-life connection.

“Work (Freemasons Radio Edit)” by Kelly Rowland: This 2011 dance song by Kelly Rowland plays around the 6:30 minute mark in American Sports Story episode 5. The song plays inside a club where Hernandez and a group of his new Patriots teammates all hang out. The group talks about how Belichick can be difficult to talk to and warns Hernandez to stay focused on winning if he wants to stay on the elite team.

“Club Can’t Handle Me (feat. David Guetta)” by Flo Rida: Flo Rida makes another appearance on the American Sports Story soundtrack in episode 5. His popular dance song from 2009 plays as Hernandez and Gronkowski do a joint photoshoot as two of the newest additions to the New England Patriots. The popular song peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Top 100 in 2010 and was the promotional single for Step Up 3D before it appeared in American Sports Story.

American Sports Story Episode 6 Songs

“Herald Street”

“Make It Nasty” by Tyga: This certified platinum 2012 pop-rap song plays around the 13-minute mark in American Sports Story epsiode 6 as Aaron Hernandez hits up his ex-convict friend Sherrod to go to a club in Boston. The song sets the party vibe for the nightclub, which is full of alcohol, sensual dancing, and other vices that contribute to Hernandez’s growing sense of recklessness and paranoia. Soon after the club scene, Hernandez shoots the two men who he got into an altercation with out on the street.

“Work Hard, Play Hard” by Wiz Khalifa: This classic double-platinum 2012 pop-rap song by Wiz Khalifa plays around the 24-minute mark in American Sports Story episode 6 after Aaron Hernandez signs a 5-year, $40 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. The series notably skips the part in his true story when he played in Super Bowl XLVI and was the top receiver for the Patriots, which greatly solidified the team’s trust in him. This occurred just months after Hernandez allegedly shot and killed two people.

“Hands On The Wheel” by ScHoolboy Q feat. A$AP Rocky: This 2012 rap single by TDE member ScHoolboy Q plays around the 32-minute mark in American Sports Story episode 6 as Hernandez self-medicates with cannabis and painkillers after being forced to miss several games due to a high ankle sprain. The song samples Kid Cudi’s famous “Pursuit of Happiness” song from 2009 and emphasizes Hernandez’s growing dependency on drugs in FX’s American Sports Story. The song was one of the standout singles on ScHoolboy Q’s 2012 album Habits & Contradictions which also featured notable tracks such as “There He Go” and “Sex Drive” featuring Jhene Aiko.

American Sports Story Episode 7 Songs

“Dirty Pain”

“Ride (feat. Ludacris)” by Ciara: After appearing as the very first song of the series, this classic pop song plays on at the very beginning of American Sports Story episode 7 as Aaron continues to get paranoid while in a Florida strip club with his friend Sherrod. “Ride” was released as a single on Ciara’s 2010 album Basic Instinct and went platinum in the United States. The song is given a whole new context as emergency surgeons rush to dislodge the bullet that Aaron shot into Sherrod’s eye.

“Rocketeer” by Far East Movement & Ryan Tedder: This forgotten yet popular 2010 pop song plays in American Sports Story episode 7 around the 13-minute mark as Aaron and Shayanna move into their temporary home in Los Angeles. Hernandez was sent out to LA to get shoulder surgery and physical therapy with Tom Brady’s trainer Alex Guerrero. Far East Movement was best known for their popular party track “Like a G6” while Ryan Tedder is the lead singer of OneRepublic.

“Warning Shot (feat. Cassie)” by MGK: This popular track off MGK’s 2011 debut album Lace Up plays toward the end of American Sports Story episode 7 as Aaron assembles an arsenal of weapons as he anticipates a confrontation with Sherrod. The song features pop singer Cassie, known for her hit singles such as “Me & U” and “Addiction”. Although MGK has changed genres from rap to pop punk in recent years, he was initially known as a hip-hop artist with singles such as “Wild Boy” and “Till I Die.” The song fits in with the anticipated showdown that Hernandez is getting ready to have with Sherrod and Odin Lloyd in future episodes of American Sports Story.