Posing next to the customized purple and gold mini chopper, the 'Wake Up in the Sky' rapper can be seen wearing a Lakers jersey with the late NBA star's name and number written on the back.
- Jun 23, 2021
AceShowbiz - Kodak Black has come under fire for his birthday celebration. As he turned 24 years old earlier this month, the rapper recently threw a Kobe Bryant-themed bash to honor the late star, but many have found it "disrespectful."
The "Tunnel Vision" spitter took to his Instagram account on Monday, June 21 to share pictures from the party. In the first snap, he sported a Los Angeles Lakers jersey with Kobe's name and number written on the back. He could be seen standing with his back to the camera between his purple and gold Tesla Model X and a matching-colored helicopter. "I'm Ouchea 24 a Day I'm Like KOBE #KtB @kobebryant #HappyBirthdayKodak Out Now," he captioned his post.
His followers were quick to point out the Kobe-inspired chopper, especially after the basketball legend tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant. In the comment section, people went on to express their disappointment.
"Nahh bro not the helicopter…," said one of the top comments, while another read, "No one else thinks the helicopter is just a little disrespectful." A different Instagram user went on to add, "Disrespectful @kodakblack but u don't anything for the fame n money bro no bueno u need a reality check."
A critic pointed out that Kodak was being inconsiderate, saying, "Dude really chose a helicopter out of everything to my purple and yellow. Smh, inconsiderate." In the meantime, another chimed in, "I'm sure, actually, 100% positive Kobe wouldn't even f**k with you like that." A user also questioned whether or not his team was aware of the chopper, "So nobody on ya team advised you not to do the helicopter?"
Although Kodak has yet to publicly comment on the outrage over his Kobe birthday celebration theme, the "Roll in Peace" spitter once revealed why he chose to honor the late basketball legend on his special day. "I want to send all my love to the Bryant family," he said in a 4-minute video clip that he posted on June 14.
"I feel so connected to Kobe's unfortunate demise. When I was in prison, I was planning on coming home in a helicopter, but [on] January 26, when I found out about what happened, I took it as a sign not to due to the fact that we share the same initials," Kodak explained further. He concluded, "Today I celebrate your life, your legacy."
