Lil Wayne created the definitive Kobe Bryant tribute years ago

There have been countless tributes created by players, teams, brands and fans over the course of Kobe Bryant’s final season. None match the straight fire that Lil Wayne dropped on “Tear Drop Tune 2” in 2009.

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There have been countless tributes created by players, teams, brands and fans over the course of Kobe Bryant’s final season. None match the straight fire that Lil Wayne dropped on “Tear Drop Tune 2” in 2009.

“Kobe Bryant” by Lil Wayne is, frankly, the only Kobe tribute that matters. Everyone and their mother has submitted their own personal reflection on Mamba’s career, but Wayne did it first. And, he did it with bars. The New Orleans native and Lakers backer blended an unprecedented mix of soundbites from Kobe, Stephen A. Smith, and fellow NBA players like LeBron James and Mikael Pietrus along with his rhymes.

Somehow, Wayne captured the essence of Kobe in just five minutes, seven years before he would retire. Let’s take some time out on ‘Mamba Day’ to thank Weezy.

– Kenny Ducey