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Ex-Liverpool Ace Releases His Autobiography As A Hip-Hop Album

Ex-Liverpool Ace Releases His Autobiography As A Hip-Hop Album

The former Liverpool midfielder is making big strides in the music industry.

James Hilsum

James Hilsum

Former Liverpool midfielder Ryan Babel has released his autobiography in the form of a hip-hop album.

The 34-year-old currently plies his trade out in Turkey with Galatasaray and a host of big names feature on his musical memoirs.

They do not make for pleasant listening if you are Rafael Benitez, Louis Van Gaal, or Ibrahim Afellay, with the trio singled out for criticism on the record.

He spoke about the inspiration behind the idea in an interview with The Guardian.

"I was aware that, if I wanted to make it authentic, I had to share stuff that maybe isn't always comfortable to tell.

"But at the same time, I was prepared mentally to do that and the process of writing was very inspiring with the people who were involved. I'm really proud of what I was able to tell in the final product and the way I was able to tell it.

"In the past when I was making little things in the studio it was more like bragging, you know how rappers do in general.

"It's easy to lie and say, 'Oh, I'm rich this and rich that' but that wasn't interesting for me and definitely not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be as authentic as possible and share my truth."

PA: Ryan Babel had a falling out with Ibrahim Afellay.
PA: Ryan Babel had a falling out with Ibrahim Afellay.

A separate LP titled "Open Letter" has ruffled more than a few feathers back in his native Netherlands, with Afellay coming in for plenty of stick.

Afellay and Babel played together with the Dutch national team, but the former was criticised in the song for his role as a TV pundit.

The lyrics say, as published in the Mirror: "Bro, I don't know you from Barca, maybe more from PSV. Oh, now you're an analyst? Hmm, so so.

"Heard in the corridors you're broke, bro. You call things and don't think about them anymore bro code. But I understand if your career comes to a dead end."

PA: Louis Van Gaal
PA: Louis Van Gaal

Meanwhile, there is reference to Van Gaal, who initially refused to give Babel a contract during his time as sporting director at Ajax, before coach Danny Blind intervened and he was awarded a deal.

Benitez is also referenced after leaving him in the dark at Liverpool after bringing him to Anfield in 2007, according to Babel.

The album in full is available on Spotify, and the separate "Open Letter" LP track has been streamed more than 78,000 times.

Babel will hope to find his rhythm on the pitch when Galatasaray host Altay in a Turkish Süper Lig fixture against Altay on Saturday.

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Topics: Liverpool, Louis van Gaal, Rafael Benitez