Kobe Bryant Recalls The Time Lil Wayne Made A Song About Him

Last month, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant was a guest on the Alex Rodriguez and Big Cat’s podcast The Corp. Towards the end of the interview—around the 41 minute mark—Big Cat asked Kobe how often he listens to the song “Kobe Bryant”—a track Lil Wayne made about him in 2009. Kobe joked about playing it all the time before explaining how the song actually came together.

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World Series Champion Alex Rodriguez and Barstool Sports' Big Cat interview industry leaders, sports legends, and entrepreneurs on what makes them successful in their specific profession. Business, humor, and stories from people who have lived the American Dream.

“After the Denver series, [Wayne] called me,” said Kobe, referring to the 2009 Western Conference Finals where Kobe’s Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets in six games. “He was like, ‘Man, that performance just motivated the hell out of me.’ I think it was like game six.”

Kobe scored 35 points and had 10 assists in game six to close out the series.

“[Wayne] was like, ’I’ma do a song. Is it okay, can I do a song?‘” continued Kobe. "I was like, alright cool. I just thought he was bs-ing or whatever. Before the Celtics series he sends me the song and I was like, ‘Oh, you were serious.’ Okay, that’s awesome.”

On the song, Wayne—who is an avid sports fan—raps about Kobe’s drive and alludes to his iconic 81-point game from 2006:

Pass me the damn ball
I don’t need a pick at all
And don’t worry ‘bout my shot
Cause I'mma get that off
Yea, I drops 40 on your double team
Then I drop 81 on another team

This wasn’t the only time Wayne rapped about Kobe. He also mentioned him on “Young Playa,” and had a memorable comparison to him on “Dough Is What I Got” where he rapped:

And when it comes down to the recording
I must be LeBron James if he’s Jordan
No, I won rings for my performance
I’m more Kobe Bryant of an artist

Of course, Weezy is not the only rapper who has dropped lyrical references to Kobe. Chief Keef also made a song named after the NBA star (“Kobe”), Drake mentioned his then-pending divorce on Rick Ross‘ “Stay Schemin',” Juicy J rapped about him on “Errday” Juicy J:

My mansion sittin' on 40 acres
Who da neighbors?
Kobe Bryant from the Lakers
Now that’s paper

As far as Kobe, after hearing Wayne’s track, he went on to win the 2009 NBA Finals after his Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic. Kobe and Wayne would later celebrate with the NBA championship trophy during a photoshoot.

Read all the lyrics to Lil Wayne’s “Kobe Bryant” on Genius now.