The year 2020 was hard on all of us. A global pandemic hit us and changed how we live our lives. We lost a lot of people that year. From loved ones to celebrities, 2020 showed no mercy. Among the celebrities we’d lost was none other than Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
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On January 26, 2020, Kobe was on his way to his daughter Gigi Bryant’s basketball game when his helicopter lost control and crashed. It was a dark day for all of us, and there was a lot of outpour of love from other celebrities and athletes.
Drake was also among those stars. When the news went around of the helicopter crash, Drake took it to his Instagram and posted a photo with the custom jacket he got made for Kobe ahead of his final All-Star game.
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However, things weren’t always this good with Drake and the Bryant family.
Vanessa Bryant once called out Drake for writing bars about her tough time with Kobe Bryant
In 2011, TMZ issued a report that Vanessa Bryant was filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Since Kobe and Vanessa hadn’t signed a prenup, she was eligible for half of his empire, and was also seeking their Newport Coast Mansion.
Drake rapped about her in collaboration with Rick Ross on his track Stay Schemin.
“Kobe about to lose a hundred fifty M’s/Kobe my n***a I hated it had to be him”
“B**ch you wasn’t with me shooting in the gym/(Huh!? b**ch you weren’t with me shooting in the gym)”
In 2012, Vanessa Bryant took it to her Instagram to respond. She wrote,
“I love when immature kids quote a rapper that has never been friends with Kobe and knows nothing about our relationship.”
“Just shows how gullible they are. I don’t need to be in the gym. I’m raising our daughters, signing checks and taking care of everything else that pertains to our home life. […]”
“I really wish people would stop THINK and then realize that they are being sucked into someone’s clear intention to monetize and gain attention off of our family’s heartache.”
“This is real life. I hold down our home life so my husband can focus on his career. It’s a partnership.”
In another post, she talked about how Drake apologized through his manager because he wasn’t friends with Kobe.
In 2013, Vanessa shared that the couple had worked through their differences and were back together.
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How did Drake respond to the whole situation?
After seeing Vanessa’s posts and reading her comments, Drake publicly apologized and stated that he had no intention of hurting Vanessa.
“I never intended to offend Vanessa or anyone else. That line had everything to do with me and what goes on in my head as a 25-year-old man with this much income flowing in.”
He added, “Kobe is and always will be a friend and an icon to me.”
Since Kobe’s demise, Drake has honored Kobe in several ways. He continues to mention Bryant in his songs, as was seen in his track Rich Flex.
