Against many artists who have paid tribute to the late Black Mamba, Dame D.O.L.L.A holds his own
Kobe Bryant‘s fingerprints can be found in the games of many of the stars in today’s NBA, but no player better mirrors his “Mamba Mentality” than Damian Lillard.
Bryant’s over-the-top competitiveness, his apathy for what his peers and critics thought of him, and his desire to reach the pinnacle as the unquestioned number one option are all aspects that Lillard displays night-in and night-out.
Not only that, but the Black Mamba also dabbled in hip-hop, but Dame has him objectively beat when it comes to musical talent.
There was no better way for Lillard to honor Kobe with the similarly named track than to feature Los Angeles legend and celebrity Lakers fan, Snoop Dogg.
The West Coast MC does a fantastic job delivering his verse with a Mamba-like methodology; slow, deliberate, and aiming to kill. He ends his feature with a soulful “Kobe,” reminiscent of the cries of every man, woman, and child that ever shouted out the name when shooting paper fadeaways into a trash can.
Derrick Milano is again credited with the production on this track and can also be heard on the chorus.
Dame D.O.L.L.A though, takes the cake on this song with one of his strongest verses to date and a stanza that perfectly captures the spirit of Kobe Bryant, while honoring his memory:
"“They tell us, “Never look in the eyes of a killer” I did it out respect for the greatest at Staples Center The closest thing to MJ, and no I ain’t talking Thriller It ain’t an ‘I’ in team, but a ‘ME’ in it, please remember Bean”"