Cassius Clay

Cassius Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali, was not a professional musician or composer but rather one of the most celebrated heavyweight boxing champions in history. Before he became widely known by his Muslim name, he released an album titled "I Am the Greatest!" in 1963, under the name Cassius Clay. This album was a spoken word/comedy record that capitalized on his fame and charismatic personality. It included his poetry, humorous trash-talking about his boxing opponents, and a cover of the song "Stand by Me." While this album is an interesting footnote in his career, it is not representative of a sustained artistic endeavor in music. Ali's primary legacy remains his incredible achievements in boxing, his civil rights activism, and his larger-than-life persona.