Mamba's Musical Legacy: The Story Of Kobe Bryant's Unreleased Album "Visions"
·
·
Kobe Bryant was known for his incredible skills on the basketball court, but what many fans don't know is that he also had a passion for music. After Shaq went platinum with his Diesel/Superman persona, record labels wanted to replicate that success with Kobe.
So in 1999, Sony records signed Kobe Bryant along with his rap group Cheizaw. Kobe began working on his debut album "Visions", however, it was never released and remained unheard by the public for over two decades.
Kobe was given the chance to work with some of the biggest names in music like Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, but he chose to team up with his buddy Russell Howard instead. Both of them had graduated from Lowe Merion High School in 1996 and shared a deep passion for creating music together.
Despite having some initial demos, Kobe was asked by Sony executives to change things up. He agreed to rebrand himself with a more pop-friendly sound, resulting in the creation of the song "K.O.B.E. feat. Tyra Banks."
Kobe was really serious about his music career and even hired a former classmate to write the script for his first music video which was directed by the famous Hype Williams, but sadly, it was never released.
Kobe and Tyra Banks also performed their song at the All-Star Weekend in 2000 but shortly after, the label inexplicably dropped Kobe from their roster, leaving his debut album "Visions" shelved and his music career in limbo.
The album featured legendary names like Nas, 50 Cent, Beanie Seagal, Black Thought and Destiny Child to name a few. The 16-track record showcased Kobe's versatility as a rapper covering a wide range of topics, from his love for basketball to his personal struggles and triumphs.
In 2021, two days before his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, "Visions" which had achieved almost mythical status in pop culture for over 2 decades, leaked on the internet resurfacing as a testament to the enduring legacy of Kobe Bryant.
The album was a treasure trove for fans, offering a glimpse into a lesser-known side of the basketball superstar. It revealed a whole new dimension of Kobe's creativity and passion that had previously been hidden from the public.
Comments