Music and sports games have developed a very unique relationship over the years, and no other sports franchise is more synonymous with music than the Madden NFL series. Ever since the start of this decade I can’t seem to get over the fact that as Madden grows, the soundtrack of the game blooms with it. Over the past years, Madden has jump started the careers of many artists that you hear on the radio today -- which makes sense because when Madden releases, you have millions of people listening to songs that usually aren't even surfing the airwaves yet.

Over the years, EA has created one of the most recognizable games on the market, and by doing that, EA has been able to use the Madden brand to create one of the most recognizable soundtracks as well. In Madden 2000, Ludacris did the intro song for the game, and it set the tone for the 21st century Madden soundtracks. Everyone who played Madden 2000 remembers Ludacris', "Maaaaaaaaan get out of my way and watch out as I come through!" intro song that accompanied an amazing football montage that got gamers everywhere pumped up to play virtual football. I'd venture to guess that many gamers still believe it's the most memorable song to ever be featured in a Madden game as well. From there, the relationship between Madden and music grew into a help me help you type of deal.

Madden 2002 was the first Madden game to have more than just one song featured. Madden 2003 was the first year EA Trax was introduced, and it of course brought along a different sound. Madden and hip-hop were first loves, but sometimes you need a different sound to influence other people to join the party, so this was the first year they had rock tracks on the game like Bon Jovi and Good Charlotte. It was a needed change for the soundtrack.

And your spine in the DIRT, so put on a SKIRT
If you step on the field and don't wanna get HURT
Just bruised and beaten, all black and blue
And it's been like that since Madden '92

In Madden 2004, the soundtrack was well rounded with different sounds and different genres of music. Outkast and Bubba Sparxxx had the hip-hop side covered, while Blink 182 and Yellowcard covered the rock genre. This game had the best Madden soundtrack to that point, and I know people will agree with me on that one. Madden 2005 was a down year when it came to the soundtrack. Green Day was featured on it, but I can tell that EA went with artists that wanted to build a name for themselves, otherwise EA would have used more big name artists.

Madden 2006 was the first year the NFL exclusivity license was in place, and with that license came the NFL Films music and a diverse soundtrack filled with artists like Fall Out Boy and Coheed and Cambria. The game also featured hip-hop legend Rev Run

Madden 2007 was a good year for Lupe Fiasco, since he had just hit the music scene and ended up having a good year; he even got to do a song with Kayne West.

Madden 2008 ushered in a new style of music and Madden NFL 08 en Español was also making its first appearance. EA added a reggae tone to the Madden scene, a move that led to mixed opinions to say the least.

Now currently with Madden 2009, the big stars have finally made their way back to the soundtrack. Artists like Busta Rhymes and Gym Class Heroes have helped to wrap up ten years of great music that has appeared in just Madden alone.

Other sports games do have music, but Madden is the soundtrack that most artists want to be on, and it is the most relevant soundtrack as of today. So with that being said, what is your favorite Madden soundtrack and song? And if you could put together the soundtrack of the game, what would be some of the artists that you would put on it?