20 Amazing Kobe Bryant Facts You Should Know

Kobe Bryant Was A Rap Artist

Although Kobe Bryant spent much of his formative years in Italy, he was born and grew up in Philadelphia, where there was a rampant hip hop and rap scene. Kobe loved it and was part of the rap group CHEIZAW. This all happened while he was a high school student at Merian High School, where he and some friends got together to form the rap group.

CHEIZAW was actually really good because three years after Kobe Bryant was drafted, his rap group was signed to Sony Entertainment, which was quite a big feat. The label wanted Kobe to have a solo rap career after the career success of rap artists like LL Cool J and Will Smith. Kobe spent much time with rappers Nas and Foxy Brown to get tips and advice about the business. He was really serious about it. His debut album Visions was set for release in 2000, but there were creative differences between him and Sony Entertainment, and they dropped him from the label.