“Heart Goes Out To Vanessa”: Lil Wayne Honors Kobe Bryant and Family with a Tribute during BET Awards

Just a week ago, Snoop Dogg performed a tribute to Kobe Bryant at the ESPY awards. Now at the BET awards, fellow rapper Lil Wayne also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Bryant. Back in 2009, Wayne had released a song on the Lakers legend. It was reportedly inspired by Kobe’s 2009 Western Conference Finals performance against Denver. The BET awards performance was the same song, but with a brand new verse. 

The video starts with Kobe saying he wants to be the best. Then it includes praise for Kobe from commentators before Wayne starts rapping. His admiration for Bryant shows right from the start where he says, “2-4 on my shirt, He the greatest on the court.”

Kobe Bryant: Immortalised through tributes

The new lyrics honor Bryant ‘s late daughter Gianna too. “Two fingers for the Mambacita. I’m screamin’ Black Mamba matters.” He ends the song with a heartfelt message. “Heart goes out to Vanessa and the whole Black Mamba family. G-O-A-T like Kobe Bean, rest in power and hope for peace.”

Vanessa Bryant also shared the video on her Instagram account.

Speaking to LA Weekly a few years back, Wayne said that he grew up as a Lakers fan solely because of Kobe. He also mentioned that in the NBA, Kobe was his closest friend. Following the 2009 championship, Wayne also joined the Lakers in a photoshoot with the trophy.

Back in March, Lil Wayne told MTV: “What I admire the most is how [his legacy] evolved. We knew him as the kid phenom straight from high school. He hit the league and murked it, [then] he became a champion. It’s very hard to become a champion. He did it again and then again.”

Wayne’s admiration for Kobe is shared across the globe. It has been months now but it still hasn’t been enough for fans, colleagues, and even family members to truly get over the loss of Bryant. The numerous tributes addressed to him just show how much respect Bryant had earned for all that he did, not just on the court but off-court too.