The Black Mamba was a force to reckon with on the hardwood. But Kobe Bryant was not just an icon in the basketball world, he was a creative force who explored multiple avenues. This includes rap too. During the late ’90s and early 2000s, the hip-hop culture and the NBA were deeply connected, and Kobe, a lifelong fan of the genre saw an opportunity to express himself beyond the court.
To name a few instances, Shaquille O’Neal shared an anecdote about Kobe’s admiration and dedication to rapping. Shaq recalled the exciting anecdote stating that during the Lakers’ team bus rides, the players would often engage in banter and freestyle sessions. Shaq recounted that initially, Kobe was hesitant to join in but he eventually participated with well-crafted verses.
Another one of the anecdotes came to the fans’ attention as a clip from a podcast by Undergrndlounge showed Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) sharing an incident that happened with Kobe. He recounted that Kobe told him towards the end of his career, “Yo Mett, get those beats ready, I’m coming into the room.” Then he said, “We’re going to freestyle.” This took Mett by surprise. Then Mett shared that he put on multiple beats he possessed on his laptop and Kobe kept on freestyling for thirty minutes to an hour straight. Damn, that Mamba Mentality does translate off the court right?
There’s another layer to Kobe Bryant’s musical endeavors. Inspired by the legendary rappers, the likes of Jay-Z and Nas, he pursued a career in rap, signing a deal with Sony Music. However, his rap career did not go as planned, let us see what happened.
Kobe Bryant’s Only Rare Miss: His Rap Career
If Kobe were only known for his rap career, people would not shout ‘Kobe’ before trying to make a shot, as it missed. Kobe decided to release his debut song K.O.B.E in 2000. The song featured the prominent artist Tyra Banks on the hook, hoping to add a pop-friendly and commercial appeal to the song. The song lyrically was about love and the nature of relationships in contrast to the hardcore braggadocio rap style many were expecting. Kobe performed the song at the 2000 NBA All-Star Weekend, which was expected to be the big debut in the music world.
Reality shattered the Mamba’s hopes. The fans and critics did not embrace the song. Many felt that the flow with which Kobe was rapping was dated and stiff and his delivery was lacklustre lacking the cadence that seasoned rappers possess. Also, the fans expected something hardcore and street-oriented contrasting the vibe that he brought focusing on love and relationships. Also, the performance at the All-Star Weekend was abysmal with Kobe rapping and Tyra Banks singing live vocals creating an awkward mismatch. All of the setbacks led to the cancellation of Kobe’s debut album Visions.
While Kobe’s rap career was short-lived, it was a testament to his willingness to undertake new adventures. While the song he released did not succeed, it showed a side of Kobe beyond basketball. Even though his music career was nipped in the bud, his impact on hip-hop is everlasting.
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