kobe bryant In many ways he was the man who personified the phrase “my way or the highway.” He was a stalwart in his Los Angeles franchise. But back in 1996, Kobe was trying to fit in with the team. A purple and gold newcomer, he would do anything to earn respect. This includes rehearsing a “freestyle” rap and being called out by Shaquille O’Neal.
During his rookie season, the Lakers Shaquille O’Neal’s team. After all, Shaq was much more than just a superstar on the court. He was a superstar as well. The man had several talents, each of which drew people to him. And so it was during Kobe’s rookie season.
The team was on the bus when the lap session started. Of course, Big Diesel was spitting out some bars. The team was having fun, and Black Mamba noticed that. So a few days later, when rapping started again, he spoke up. However, Shaq realized something was wrong and mocked the young Kobe.
Kobe Bryant mocked by Shaquille O’Neal & Company at rap rehearsal
As a newcomer, it’s natural to want to do whatever works for you. But that wasn’t something his proud 18-year-old Kobe Bryant was willing to do. With that in mind, what did he do to gain that sense of belonging?
Well, as told on the Ringer podcast basketball book 2.0, hosted by Bill Simmons, where Kobe decides to freestyle rap. However, he did it the only way he knew how. He went home and worked hard on it and rehearsed the entire performance.
So when Shaq and the gang started rapping, Bryant got himself involved. However, O’Neil figured out what was going on and called him out. The ridicule soon followed, leaving the young man visibly upset. However, as stated by Rick Fox, Kobe’s desire to blend in came from his highly competitive nature.
fox: “Kobe’s The desire to fit in always came from a competitive place. In other words, if I can be better at what we’re all doing, or what you’re trying to do, you have to respect me, and then accept me.Right? “
Michael Jordan couldn’t help but reveal his secret to a young Kobe Bryant.
Just a snippet of the packed Icons Club Episode 7. https://t.co/vGYI1SCA2i
— Ringer (@ringer) April 8, 2022
That’s all I’ve really come up with. However, if you are highly competitive, you will become a sore loser. So it’s no surprise that Kobe tried rapping again.
Kobe tried to jump into the rap scene with his album Visions LP
It wasn’t enough for Kobe Bryant to put Shaquille O’Neal and other Lakers teammates to shame. In true Black Mamba fashion, he was determined not to lose. So, unbeknownst to many, he continued to work in bars and was planning to release the album Visions LP in 2000.
Unfortunately, the album’s debut single, KOBE, did not sit well with Columbia Records. The album was then traded under the rug, along with a possible rap career. Good things too. It’s clear that rap wasn’t his thing, and given the quality of his singles, we know how it affected his career.
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