Vanessa Bryant Checks Meek Mill Over "Disrespectful" Kobe Bryant Lyric

BY Erika Marie 340.3K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Christopher Polk / Staff / Getty Images, Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images
Vanessa Bryant, Meek Mill, Kobe Bryant, Lil Baby, Lyrics
She told him, "I'm not familiar with any of your music, but I believe you can do better than this," before Meek returned with a tweet.

After the snippet of an unreleased collaboration with Lil Baby went viral, Meek Mill found himself on the receiving end of backlash. The Philadelphia rapper is heard in the clip rapping the line, "Yeah, and if I ever lack I'm goin' out with my choppa / It be another Kobe," and the public quickly denounced him for his choice of bars. Meek seemed defiant in his response and even shared an image of a hat with Kobe Bryant and his late 13-year-old daughter Gianna's names on it to show he wasn't being disrespectful, but he didn't offer the apology that many believe he should have given.

Elsa / Staff / Getty Images

The controversy soon dissipated and new viral moments have taken its place, but almost a week later, Vanessa Bryant has come forward to address the lyrics. "Dear @meekmil , I find this line to be extremely insensitive and disrespectful. Period," Kobe's widow shared to her Instagram Story. "I am not familiar with any of your music, but I believe you can do better than this."

"If you are a fan, fine, there's a better way to show your admiration for my husband," she continued. "This lacks respect." Soon, Meek resurfaced with a tweet. "I’m going back savage in this sh*t ... f#%k ya feelings!" he wrote. It's unclear what he's referring to, but you can check out the posts below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.