Kanye West talked about the death of one of his best friends in the industry, Kobe Bryant, and revealed how close they were when the legendary basketball player was still alive. But instead of sympathizing with Kim Kardashian's husband, fans seemed to be furious with the 42-year-old rapper's statement, liking himself to the Black Mamba.
The singer-songwriter received criticisms after saying Kobe Bryant was the basketball version of him, and he was the rap version of the late Los Angeles Lakers' player. "This is a game-changer for me. He was the basketball version of me, and I was the rap version of him, and that's facts!" he said in an interview with GQ three days after Kobe's death.
Fans quickly responded to Kanye West's claim, with one saying, "It's a no for us, dawg." Others added that not everything is about the Yeezy fashion designer. As a lot of things already happened this year, another fan said that people don't have the strength to debate with him anymore, Celebrity Insider noted.
Anyhow, there are still some who defended the "Stronger" hitmaker, explaining that they are both geniuses in their own fields. One follower also posted that as an artist, people have to respect Kanye West's work for having one of the "best rap discographies of all time."
Kanye West revealed that Kobe Bryant's death was a game-changer for him. Even though he was at a loss of his friend's passing, they were still able to go to the court and play ball. In the street, where the domes are located, that he often passes by to go home or to his office, it inspires him to be as determined as Kobe.
He added that his death only shows that there's no move that people can't make or even have to wait before they do it. The way that Kobe Bryant said that they all have to come together to win the game is the way Kanye West looks at life now.
He even revealed that the commercials they did would prove the close bond that they had. According to the Daily Mail, the two did Nike ads together, including a commercial for Kobe Bryant's Kobe System shows.
Kobe Bryant's death was a shock for everyone. He died in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26. He was 41 years old and left three other kids, Natalia Diamante, Bianka, and Capri, and his wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant.
