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Jay-Z: I Have A Message For The Lakers

Written by on 04/16/2010 in Editorials - 17 Comments

Kobe Bryant

Song: The Ruler’s Back

Lyrical Message:

“Well in these times, well at least to me/There’s a lot of rappers out there trying to sound like Jay-Z/I’ll help you out, here’s what you do/You gonna need a wide lens ‘cause that’s a VERY big shoe”

From 1998 to 2001, there were a lot of rappers who thought they could take control of Hip Hop. Needless to say, this didn’t sit well with Jay-Z. In Jay’s mind, he was sitting by idly while members of the media were crowing other rappers “King” of hip hop. When he decided to return, Jay-Z had to come out with something big, and he did. When he released The Blueprint in 2001, he opened the record with a simple message: I’m Back and I’m the Man.

It’s been a tough year for Kobe Bryant. He has battled through paralyzing back spasms, a severely sprained ankle, tendinitis in his knee, numbness in his elbow, and a broken index finger on his shooting hand. At the same time, LeBron James has ascended to absurd levels of dominance with one eye popping game after another. The verdict is in: LeBron James is officially the best player in the league, not Kobe Bryant. In a childish, insult laden rant published in Rolling Stone magazine, one “writer” even had the gall to claim Kevin Durant was the 2nd best player in the league, pushing Kobe down to 3rd or 4th.

While this was clearly an attempt to take a shot at Kobe, he just shrugged it off. Kobe knew that the regular season will come and go, but the Playoffs will live forever. A part of me thinks Kobe has played possum the last few months, giving everyone else in the league the idea that they have a chance to usurp the Lakers. This is not outside the realm of possibility. Remember, Kobe is the same guy who allegedly let his opponents creep back into blowouts during high school games just so he could have the satisfaction of beating them again. The dude is wired differently than you and me, I honestly believe Kobe relishes in crushing your spirit more than he enjoys basking in his own victory. He’s so cold blooded that he wants you to lose, and know that you lost to him.

Taking things a step further, no one is more acutely aware of where they stand in terms of legacy, and no one wants to ascend to the top of the NBA more than Kobe Bryant. Now that the Playoffs are here, I expect that we will see a different Kobe. A more focused Kobe. A Kobe you will fear. Now is his time to remind you, me, and everyone else out there that until someone knocks him off his throne, he is the King.

Now is the time that he announces, The Ruler’s Back.
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Comments

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  • Alyssa Hufana

    You have just combined THE BEST RAPPER AND BEST BASKETBALL TEAM together, who happen to be my favorites. Thank you. I have not read an article this meaningful and deep as well as moving and inspiring about the boys in a long time. Let’s go Lakers. We can do this!

  • Alyssa Hufana

    You have just combined THE BEST RAPPER AND BEST BASKETBALL TEAM together, who happen to be my favorites. Thank you. I have not read an article this meaningful and deep as well as moving and inspiring about the boys in a long time. Let’s go Lakers. We can do this!

  • http://hometheathersystems.info/ Debbie W. Pellham

    Do you mind if I use the information I got reading from this website on the project that I’m working? I will properly cite you.

  • http://hometheathersystems.info/ Debbie W. Pellham

    Do you mind if I use the information I got reading from this website on the project that I’m working? I will properly cite you.

  • omgsushi

    Jay Z is weak. Spittin’ an album by listening to a beat for a few minutes and going in to a booth doesn’t produce a quality album, and there are many MC’s who can do it better. On top of it all, dude is a free mason. This article is trash, you came to talk about your favorite rapper and on top of that you put Jay in Pac’s realm? Weak.

  • omgsushi

    Jay Z is weak. Spittin’ an album by listening to a beat for a few minutes and going in to a booth doesn’t produce a quality album, and there are many MC’s who can do it better. On top of it all, dude is a free mason. This article is trash, you came to talk about your favorite rapper and on top of that you put Jay in Pac’s realm? Weak.

  • Jeff Lambert

    omgsushi,

    Regardless of what you feel about Jay-Z and his standing in the pantheon of rap history, I think you should take a second to re-read the beginning of my article again before you pass judgment. I never wrote Jay-Z was my favorite rapper, in fact he’s not even in my Top 3. I do appreciate you putting words in my mouth, though.

    As for how Jay-Z records his albums… I don’t know about you, but spitting entire albums and performing them live without ever writing down a single lyric is pretty impressive to me.

    Come in a bit more open minded next time and perhaps you won’t miss the point of the articles you read.

    Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • Jeff Lambert

    omgsushi,

    Regardless of what you feel about Jay-Z and his standing in the pantheon of rap history, I think you should take a second to re-read the beginning of my article again before you pass judgment. I never wrote Jay-Z was my favorite rapper, in fact he’s not even in my Top 3. I do appreciate you putting words in my mouth, though.

    As for how Jay-Z records his albums… I don’t know about you, but spitting entire albums and performing them live without ever writing down a single lyric is pretty impressive to me.

    Come in a bit more open minded next time and perhaps you won’t miss the point of the articles you read.

    Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • http://twitter.com/w_ruffin2 Will Ruffin II

    Unlike omgsushi, I actually liked the article. I too have Pac as the greatest rapper because of his passion and love for his art, which is what hip hop is about. EVERYONE in the rap game was influenced by Pac i one way or another, no lie. I thought JL’s matching of the song titles with the Laker players ad coach was extremely creative and appropriate. Quality work man, keep the articles coming…especially if you’re fusing my Lakers and Hip Hop.

  • http://twitter.com/w_ruffin2 Will Ruffin II

    Unlike omgsushi, I actually liked the article. I too have Pac as the greatest rapper because of his passion and love for his art, which is what hip hop is about. EVERYONE in the rap game was influenced by Pac i one way or another, no lie. I thought JL’s matching of the song titles with the Laker players ad coach was extremely creative and appropriate. Quality work man, keep the articles coming…especially if you’re fusing my Lakers and Hip Hop.

  • Jesus

    Talent is one thing “Jay Z” has. Secrecy amongst devils is the ultimate form of cowardice and that person is one of them. 2pac died because he knew he could not back down from the threat these ssecret devils pose…kill uminati, that’s what he meant. Read about pac and the nwo and see the truth Jeff. Hitler was a talented artist too, actions speak louder than talent though…throw up your diamond if you indeed worship their order OR, AWAKE FROM MITOTE.

  • Jesus

    Talent is one thing “Jay Z” has. Secrecy amongst devils is the ultimate form of cowardice and that person is one of them. 2pac died because he knew he could not back down from the threat these ssecret devils pose…kill uminati, that’s what he meant. Read about pac and the nwo and see the truth Jeff. Hitler was a talented artist too, actions speak louder than talent though…throw up your diamond if you indeed worship their order OR, AWAKE FROM MITOTE.

  • Jeff Lambert

    Dear Jesus,

    Best. Comment. Ever.

    Honored to have you as a reader.

    JL

  • Jeff Lambert

    Dear Jesus,

    Best. Comment. Ever.

    Honored to have you as a reader.

    JL

  • Bolo

    Jay Z is one of many…many rappers that record songs without writing them down and doing it in one take. If you know anything about Pac, you should know that he would go crazy if anybody messed up a take in the booth. Snoop even waited to record his verse of Two of Americas Most Wanted until the next day s he could get his verses down with out messing up, so he would not be kicked out of the booth. There is no comparison to what Pac accomplished before he was twenty five and what Jay-Z is doing at forty. Just imagine a Pac a forty there probably wouldn’t be a Jay-Z.

  • Bolo

    Jay Z is one of many…many rappers that record songs without writing them down and doing it in one take. If you know anything about Pac, you should know that he would go crazy if anybody messed up a take in the booth. Snoop even waited to record his verse of Two of Americas Most Wanted until the next day s he could get his verses down with out messing up, so he would not be kicked out of the booth. There is no comparison to what Pac accomplished before he was twenty five and what Jay-Z is doing at forty. Just imagine a Pac a forty there probably wouldn’t be a Jay-Z.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_A7Q7UPT5ER2TKP625223L6YKGE heh8me&1

    On To The Next One (Explicit) – Lakers 2010 Remix.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oz0_0-Pw-g