Music and basketball go hand in hand. The NBA has been home to some elite players with talents beyond hooping. JaVale McGee, Damian Lillard, and Miles Bridges are some notable names that come to mind. But another Lakers star, who once lit up the court by dropping 81 points, also had a passion for music. Tragically, even after his passing, the legend helped reunite an iconic band.

Remember the New Edition? Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Bobby Brown formed the R&B/pop group after growing up together in Boston and developing a love for music. Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe later joined the group. Together, the five members formed the original New Edition, debuting over four decades ago.

Throughout the years, the group disbanded and reunited multiple times. While they often came back together to make music, conflicts frequently led to splits. One of the later members to join the group was Johnny Gill. However, toward the end, tensions between Gill and Michael Bivins made reconciliation difficult. 

After the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others, the musicians reconsidered their perspectives on life. “So Kobe brought New Edition back together. We were having internal issues and going and butting heads and fighting with each other,” Johnny Gill said on Byron Scott’s Fast Break. Bryant’s sudden passing was a sobering reminder of life’s fragility, forcing the group to reconsider their fractured relationships. 

He added, “The day that Kobe passed away, a phone call was made that allowed all of us to get on the call. And we were able to reflect on our lives and the issues that we had and said, if that was one of us that had gotten that call, there probably wouldn’t have been a dry eye on that phone,” said Gill. “His untimely death really impacted not only me, but my whole group, and has brought us back to where we are today, and having a great appreciation for each other today. Always love you, man. We’ll always consider you as one of the greats, without a doubt.”

The heartbreak caused by Bryant’s passing was immense. The singer and songwriter even recalled the first time he saw Bryant, who was just a young player at the time.

Johnny Gill reminisced about Kobe Bryant

It was during legendary icon Janet Jackson’s birthday party that he saw Bryant. For Gill, the 5x NBA champion was just a kid, but with time, he went on to become a truly great player both on and off the court. Recalling that day, he said, “I remember [Kobe] coming in and he was just like this real cool, laid back, innocent kid,” He appreciated the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, from whom he also learned valuable lessons.

“Just the fact that what [Kobe] did, how he became and grew into one of the greats… It’s a lesson learned to watch, understand that when you’re determined, focused, and understand your purpose, can’t nobody take that away,” he added. 

Bryant was someone who loved listening to both the Spice Girls and Jay-Z. After seeing his former teammate O’Neal succeed with his album, the 5x NBA champ prepared to make his own debut. He recorded his first album, Visions, which featured famed model Tyra Banks. However, after the failure of the lead single K.O.B.E., Bryant’s future as a rapper never took off. Collectors still seek out the song and album as rare gems.

Kobe Bryant wasn’t just a basketball legend. He was a force of nature whose influence extended into music, culture, and even personal reconciliations. His untimely passing served as a wake-up call, reminding us that life is too short to hold onto past grudges. And in the end, he didn’t just leave a legacy of rings and records—he touched lives and helped rebuild bonds.