Kodak Black opens up after Kobe Bryant helicopter controversy

Kodak Black opens up amid controversy over its Kobe Bryant-themed birthday party.

The rapper celebrated his 24th birthday earlier this month. In photos from the celebrations, which he posted on Instagram, he was seen wearing the jersey of the late Lakers legend # 24 while standing next to a purple and gold Tesla Model X and a purple and gold helicopter.

“I’m Ouchea 24 a Day I’m like KOBE,” Kodak captioned the pictures.

However, fans were quick to call on him to include a helicopter in the celebrations, finding that Kobe was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

“It’s kind of a mess,” wrote one fan while another added, “So no one on your team advised you not to do the helicopter?”

Now Kodak explains its decision. In an interview with Florida radio station 99JAMZ, he expressed his love for Bryant and remembered where he was when he heard of the NBA superstar’s death.

“I heard of his unfortunate death,” said Kodak, who was incarcerated in an Oklahoma prison at the time. “I already said, ‘Man, you know, when I get home, I’ll come home in the helicopter.’ And I heard him die and I thought, ‘Fam, this is crazy.’ Perhaps it is a sign not to jump into the helicopter, because it is KB and I am KB. “

He repeated the feelings in a previous video posted on Instagram. “I want to send all my love to the Bryant family,” said Kodak. “I feel so connected to Kobe’s unfortunate demise. When I was in jail, I planned to get home by helicopter, but when I found out what had happened on January 26th, I took it as a sign not to, as we have the same initials .. Today I am celebrating your life, your legacy and my birthday. “

Just this week, Vanessa Bryant settled a lawsuit against the helicopter company involved in the fatal crash that killed her husband, daughter Gigi, and seven other people.