Kobe Bryant wasn’t only loved and respected in the world of sports.  He was also loved in the world of Hip Hop.  That is evident by how many times his name has been brought up in some of our favorite songs.

Rap’s elite such as Jay Z, Drake, Lil Wayne, and the Carolina’s own J. Cole and Rapsody have all made mention of “The Black Mamba” in their rhymes.  It is said that there are over 500 songs that reference the NBA legend.  I’m sure that number will continue to grow in the wake of his untimely death.

While I couldn’t identify all 500 songs, here are 24 of my favorites.  (yes, 24 for Kobe’s jersey number).

To get the full playlist, follow me on Apple Music “Ms. J Press Play(list)”.     WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

Kanye West, “Swagga Like Us”

“Tryna get that Kobe number, one over Jordan.”

Travis Scott, “STARGAZING”

“I’m way too gold for this beef, feel like I’m Kobe, yeah/ This right here is astronomical.”

Drake, “Stay Schemin’”

“Kobe ’bout to lose a hundred fifty Ms/ Kobe my n****, I hate it had to be him/ B****, you wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym.”

Nicki Minaj, “Ganja Burn”

“Still every team’s number one pick in the draft/ You could bring anybody, weatherman, pick a day/ I’m Kobe, KD, Kyrie, pick a K.”

Chief Keef, “Kobe”

“Hundred thousand in one pocket, I get paid like I’m Kobe/ When these f*** boys play games, man I just play like I’m Kobe.”

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, “Still Think About You”

“I shoot up and lean back on some Kobe s***/ They don’t know how to pass on some Kobe s***.”

Kendrick Lamar, “Untitled 02”

“Me and Top is like a Kobe and Phil/ A father figure f*** with him, you get killed/ F*** with me and he will kill you himself.”

ScHoolboy Q, “That Part”

“N**** with an attitude, I feel like O’Shea/ Walkin’, livin’ legend, man I feel like Kobe (Kobe).”

Big Sean, “No More Interviews”

“Going off like Kobe when he wore the Crazy Eights.”

J. Cole, “Cole World”

“I ball, I ball, like Kobe in the fall/ Put trophies on wall, rather trophies on my mantle.”

Juicy J “Who Da Neighbors

“My mansion sittin’ on 40 acres, Who da neighbors? Kobe Bryant from the Lakers, Now that’s paper.”

Beyonce ft. Kanye West, “Ego (Remix)”

“I had dreams of the league, one day I’d play Kobe/ Or walk up to Puff and he would really know me.”

50 Cent “U Not Like Me”

“You wanna get acquainted with me, you wanna know me.  From three-point range with a Glock, I shoot better than Kobe.”

3:6 Mafia “Hard Out Here For A Pimp”

“I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night.  Like taking from a girl don’t know no better, I know that ain’t right.”

The Game “The City”

“I’m Kobe on the Lakers floor, except I give you 84.  Shake you like Haiti’s floor.”

UGK “Still Ridin Dirty”

“You need to step off, take ya tennis shoes somewhere, And your sweatsuits and ya Kobe Bryant outfit, and go join the Lakers, square!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGuGszxb5Lk

Drake “Views”

“Now me and Kobe doin’ shots the night before the game.  Still drop 40 with liquor in my system.”

Jay Z “Some People Hate”

“They try to take me out the game but I’s alive.  It’s like a old Negro spiritual, but I mastered Toby.  With a splash of Monster Kody, shoot faster than Kobe, n****.  You b******* know me, the one and only.”

Lloyd Banks, “Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley”

“Where my ring and my confetti.  I’m Kobe Bryant ready.  Pink Rose and chronic smelly while I’m stumbling out the telly.”

2 Chainz, “Where U Been”

“Versace my pinky, a brick on my Rollie.  That Cali Ferrari, I’m feeling like Kobe.”

JAY-Z, “Venus vs. Mars”

“My dollars was down, she left me for some Euros.  Took my whole flavor, I call her Coke Zero.  We were co-MVP’s like Kobe and Shaq.  Left me for the Heat, we were winning back to back.”

Kendrick Lamar, “Mona Lisa”

“Chillin’ with the Laker, on the floor, fourth quarter.  Four minutes on the clock, Black Mamba with the ball”

Big Sean, “I Do It”

“Nah-nah, good lordy, whoadie.  I just took more shots than Kobe.”

Rapsody “Shining Moment”

“Flow translucent acting like they don’t see me.  Playing like they don’t, passing over CP3.  Kobe 24 s***, here’s another repeat”