Vince Carter and Charli Baltimore are both experts at bangin'. Of course, VC bangs rims and Charli bangs, uh...beats. Anyway, Toronto's "Half-Ham" has officially taken over the NBA. (You saw him put his arm in the rim in the dunk contest right?) After he graced our December '99 cover with Eve, y'all were begging for more. So we're bringin' him to you again-this time, with another sexy rapstress: Charli Baltimore.
by chris riley

Air Canada has lived up to all the hype following his rookie year. Averaging over 25 points a game, he is showing the world he is ready to conquer This League. First, he was the top vote-getter for this year's All-Star game in Oakland, then he went out and squashed all competition for the Slam Dunk title. As if we needed more proof, for an encore, Vince, in his first nationally televised game, dropped a career-high 51 points on the Phoenix Suns. What's next for The Frest VInce (yeah, we coined that title, not Sports Illustrated)? Playoffs, of course. And mad highlights.
Meanwhile, CB is trying to squas all comp in her own right. Her highly anticipated debut album, Cold as Ice, is on the way. She's out to prove her critics wrong and show them who's got skills. And just like Vince, she has something to prove. So it's no wonder that when these two hooked up to play one-on-one, they had a lot to talk about. Here's what they said (at least the parts that were fit to print).

Vince Carter (VC): Are there haters in the rap game?

Charli Baltimore (CB): I think there are because when you first come into this rap thing, there are certain people you look up to and once you meet them they can turn out to be hatin' on you and be fake. Is it like that on the court?

VC: Sometimes. We all play for the same goal, but once one person gets more money than another, that's when the hatin' comes into play.

CB:So what rappers do yo listen to?

VC:I listen to everybody. Whatever comes out, I gotit.

CB:I heard you got this ill collection of music.

VC:I got over 500 cds. If it comes out, I got it, no matter who it is. So what athletes do you follow, or like to watch?

CB:Well, I'm from Philly, so I got to support my Sixers and Allen Iverson. I'm not what you would call a sports fanatic, but I know a little something.

VC:What is it like being one of the most talked about female rappers out there?

CB:I just take it in stride and am happy that I;m able to have a place in hip-hop. I think that there is a lot of great talent, a lot of good artists coming out and I'm part of it. What about you? You're one of themost talked about ballplayers.

VC:I'm just thankful because not everybody's able to be talked about. There are a lot of players in The League that nobody knows about. I'm just fortunate to be recognized. A lot of people gun for you when you're takled about or make a name for yourself so I have to continue to work hard.

CB:What was the biggest transition you made from college to the NBA?

VC:Just the lifestyle. Then the game is much faster. But once I made my mark, it was all good.

CB: I'ma let The Source Sports readers know you don't play fair with girls, 'cause when we played a little one-on-one, you hit me in the back of my leg.

VC:You got to do what you got to do to when.

CB:Have you ever seen me perform live?

VC:Nope, just like I bet you've never beent ton one of my games.

CB:I'm definitely gonna come out and check you this year. I would come check you when you play Phily, but I'd have to root against you. So I'm gonna wait till you play the Knicks. then I can big you up.

VC:What kind of things are you gonna come out with on your album?

CB:I tired to make my album so it represents a whole other side of women. WHen you listen to the album, you'll see it's about a young girl coming up struggling and finally making it. If you were rapping, what would your name be.

VC:I need some time to think about that.

CB:Do you rap?

VC:Nah. I mean, I think it I sat sown and put my mind to it. I could do it. If you played ball, what position would you play on the court?

CB:I'm 5'9", so in the WNBA, I'd probably be a forward or maybe a guard. What got you into the organizastion that you started for kids? Do you have kids?

VC:I don't have any kids, but when I first declared for the draft, I decided to start an organization called Embasyy of Hope. It's a nonprofit organization for kids-not just underprivileged kids-all kids.

CB:Do you have a speacial bed you have to sleep in because of your height?

VC:Nah, I got a regular bed. I'm not one of the tall guys in The LEague. I'm a short guy, so I don't need a specail bed.

CB:I heard you play a lof of instruments?

VC:I played a number of instruments in high school. I don't get to play them as much anymore...What do you think my rap name would be?

CB: I got to think about it, but I'll let you know before you leave.

VC:When you were growing up, was hip-hop something you wanted to do?

CB:Yeah, since I was like 12, I was the only girl in the school who was rapping as good as the boys.

VC:When did you realize you finally made it?

CB:I still don't feel like I've made it. I feel like I still got a lot to prove . A lot of female rappers come out and they come out with the hottest male rapper. I came out solo. I didn't have anyone. I feel like I work three times as hard as a lot of rappers. But sometimes I wish I did have that big rapper behind me. After the rookie year you had-and the season you're having now-do you still feel you have something to prove?

VC:Yeah, 'cause you can't impress everybody. So I got to keep working and getting better. Do you find yourself star struck still when you meet other celebrities?

CB: Not really, but I feel like the only person that would have me in awe would be Michael Jackson. By the way, I got it. Your rap name would be "V-12." It's kind of corny, though.