Lil Wayne released the sixth episode of his adored ten-year series, Tha Carter, on Friday, June 6. Wayne’s career arc is unique, but it is comparable to that of another cultural titan: the Black Mamba, the late NBA great Kobe Bryant. His career was founded on longevity, growth, and unwavering domination.
Kobe’s rim-rocking jams and soaring antics defied the laws of gravity. Wayne’s sharp cleverness and stinging punchlines dominated his opponents.
Bryant had a difficult beginning, just like Wayne. Bryant, then 17 years old, was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac after being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft. After becoming a high school sensation at Philadelphia’s Lower Merion, Bryant was benched his rookie season to support Eddie Jones. His minutes were not consistent. He scored a disgusting six points a game on average. In a pivotal postseason matchup with the Utah Jazz, he made four airballs. Fans noticed the spark, but Lakers head coach Del Harris wasn’t interested in playing the rookie. We paused and paid attention when Bryant displayed glimpses of brilliance, even if they were slight.
Bryant’s career began later than Wayne’s. At eleven, he signed with Cash Money, and at seventeen, he released Tha Block is Hot. Wayne was a youthful upstart who fit in as an edgy wildcard who could jump on any beat with vicious intent, driven by Juvenile, B.G., and Turk. Hits like “Bling Bling” and “We on Fire” were sparked by Wayne’s raw, unrefined enthusiasm. Wayne was the epitome of a role player before he rose to superstar status, playing with legendary teammates like Juvenile. Juvie had a successful run in the late 1990s thanks to the success of “Ha” and “Back That Thang Up,” as well as his RIAA-certified four-time platinum album 400 Degreez. Wayne waited behind rap veterans, just like Bryant, who played with three all-star talent in Jones, Nick Van Exel, and Shaquille O’Neal. However, neither Bryant nor Wayne trembled under the intense lights as their names were called.
It wasn’t about ads and endorsements for either superstar. Their victories weren’t sudden. They fought against rivals, walked through the mud, and attempted to supplant their idols. MJ was with Kobe. Jay was Wayne’s. Nevertheless, their admiration never overshadowed their unwavering ambition: obsessiveness was the driving force behind Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality.” Following countless hours in the studio, Bryant’s command of the court reflected Wayne’s unparalleled studio output.
Wayne helped MCs learn how to be prolific by releasing thousands of tracks with charm and wit while Bryant gave workshops on how to be clutch. People thought Bryant was a showy dunker, a human highlight reel without a jumper. He became a fearless shooter, a five-time NBA champion, and the spiritual center of a dynasty through perseverance and hard work. Without a pen, Wayne changed the course of history from being a Hot Boy sidekick to a mixtape monster and then a rap icon. In their rookie years, Wayne and Bryant mocked their individual scouting reports and rewrote their histories.
Bryant was regarded as the NBA’s gold standard during the first decade of the twenty-first century, from his nine-game streak of 40 points in February 2003 to his revered 81-point performance in January 2006 to even his seven-game winning streak in the 09-10 season. Meanwhile, Wayne was in the Best Rapper Alive category due to his Carter series and fiery mixtape run with Da Drought and Dedication.