Kobe Bryant was a coin with multiple faces. While every hooper has practiced his jumpers, most fans probably don’t know the insider facts about the late Los Angeles Lakers legend. His multi-faceted career featured the NBA, basketball academy, and Grammy-winning animated shorts, to name some, but there is another venture Bryant dipped his toes into. As Kobe aficionados you may know about his solo rap music, but did you know the Black Mamba also had a high school boy band?

The Translation CEO Steve Stoute talked about Kobe Bryant and some insider moments he shared with the talented icon. The then-President of Urban Music for Sony Music Entertainment launched Will Smith’s career as a musician. Talking about those times, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe asked Stoute, “Is it true that you signed Kobe to a recording contract? To do what?”

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Stoute added, “Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal) just did it. Shaq just sold millions of records. He really did. It is not a fake thing. Shaq had a successful recording music career.” Forging the fire between Kobe Bryant and his frenemy Shaq, Stoute said, “I’m like if Shaq did it, Will did it, this kid Kobe, people will love this guy.”

“He went to prom with Brandy and there was a lot of energy around them and he actually had a rap group. When I signed him, he was in a group. I mean Kobe, God bless, he went solo soon after,” Stoute said, revealing Bryant’s involvement in a musical group before the start of his solo career.

While the Commissioner gave up all the major spice in this aspect, the question remains– why did a loyal player like Kobe Bryant leave his rap band?

Was Kobe Bryant going solo always a plan?

Apparently, it is true that Stoute signed Bryant along with the entire CHEIZAW group. However, Sony Entertainment had other plans for the rising star. While he was just making his entrance into the NBA world with the Lakers, he also wanted the lifestyle of a hip-hop legend. Sony aligned with his goals and he became a solo artist.

However, Sony wanted the battle rapper to produce radio-friendly songs. His few notable works include Thug Poet and K.O.B.E. While his first song was highly rated, K.O.B.E. did not receive a good audience. His music career ended when he couldn’t meet his own expectations. His three-peat teammate had a different trajectory though. Big Diesel‘s debut album received a platinum certification and the 7-footer continues to drop bars as early as last year.

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Nevertheless, Kobe Bryant did achieve his goal of one-upping Shaq with his 5th ring. Have you heard any of his songs?

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