Kevin Gates Speaks On Kobe Bryant's Passing And Freestyles Mid-Story

BYGabriel Bras Nevares690 Views
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The rapper expressed his thoughts on the negativity he felt the day that the NBA superstar was lost to a helicopter crash.

In a new interview with Big Boy's Neighborhood, Kevin Gates shared a story of where he was when Kobe Bryant tragically passed away. Furthermore, he spoke of the negativity he felt in the air on that day before the news broke. However, many raised eyebrows at Gates as he freestyles in the middle of his story. Still, the Louisiana native shared a chilling account of January 26, 2020. Moreover, the NBA star and his 13-year-old daughter Giana tragically passed in a helicopter crash. While his loss continues to sting, this is one of many testimonies that kept and will continue to keep his spirit alive.

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

"The crash site [was] seven minutes from my house," he expressed. "Rest In Peace the Black Mamba. This here going to Virginia, got a hundred keys in a black Honda (that's the freestyle part). All of this was going on at the time. My nana came in. I told my tattoo artist- remember I told you? I said, 'Man, I don't feel like we should leave the house today. We just need to stay in today.' She came right to the house. I hate to even say this, but that's what happened. She came in the house and was like, 'They say Kobe just had a helicopter crash.'"

Furthermore, Big Boy asked, "So you said 'We shouldn't leave the house before?" "Before that s**t happened," Gates replied. "That s**t happened seven minutes from my house. Like, weird s**t like that always be happening to me." Ironically, the 37-year-old previously called Bryant a "rat" before his untimely passing. Granted, it was nearly four years before the tragic incident, and he made those claims after Kobe's last game. From what Gates said, he claimed that Kobe snitched on Shaquille O'Neal during Mamba's alleged rape trial.

Regardless, those emotions and postures mean nothing in the face of the immense void the legendary Laker left behind. This year, millions of fans remembered his legacy on the anniversary of his passing. Moreover, they shared some of their favorite memories of his games, his character, and the joy he gave so many. As Kevin Gates and others reflect on his absence, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Kobe Bryant's legacy.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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