Arguably, hip hop is more commercial now than it’s ever been before, as is everything associated with it. Over the years, an unofficial marriage has been made between hip hop and the NBA. This was referenced by Drake and has even been seen when it comes to the lyrics.
In 2012, Drake infamously referenced Kobe Bryant’s then-divorce with the “bitch, you wasn’t with me shootin in the gym” line on Rick Ross’ “Stay Schemin.” Kobe Bryant ended up responding to what Drake had to say. While Kobe Bryant gets a lot of hip hop love, he might be edged out by LeBron James as the NBA’s most-rapped about player.
There will be at least two more seasons of events to rap about, as Kobe Bryant returns to the NBA and the Lakers in October. This season, the Lakers have a new coach in Byron Scott and he is turning to the Black Mamba for some assistance. He will have Kobe Bryant acting as the unofficial assistant coach, something he’s essentially done his entire career.
