Between his confrontation with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine and his online feud with manager Wack 100, Meek Mill has had quite the week. However, now the Philly rapper is making headlines for stirring up yet another rivalry, and this time it’s with fans of the late Kobe Bryant.  

Earlier this week, the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper previewed a snippet from a track featuring fellow rapper Lil Baby, and it immediately received criticism. Particularly, Meek caught the flak after seemingly referencing the helicopter crash that killed the late Los Angeles Lakers star, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in Calabasas, California.

(L-R) Meek Mill and Kobe Bryant. Photo: @meekmill / Instagram/ Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

“Yeah, and if I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe,” Meek is believed to have rapped on the track, which has since been removed from the platform Genius where it was titled “Don’t Worry (RIP Kobe).” Shortly after, Lil Baby raps, “I damn near wanna have a son so I can name him Kobe.”

While fans didn’t take issue with Lil Baby’s line, they did, however, have plenty to say about Meek. Critics took to social media, where they slammed the rapper for the ill-thought-out rap bar.

One Twitter user wrote, “Every time Meek Mill opens his mouth this picture makes more sense.”

Another person wrote, “I am once again asking that we cancel meek mill,” and attached a photo of United States Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Meek Mill been a clown but too say that line about Kobe & a choppa…… ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH???” a third wrote.

Late Wednesday night, the “What’s Free” rapper seemingly responded to the backlash when he took to his Twitter account, saying, “Somebody promo a narrative and y’all follow it… y’all internet antics cannot stop me  ….shi-t like zombie land or something! Lol.”

Roughly 20 minutes later, the “Going Bad” emcee shared another post, writing, “They paying to influence y’all now … its almost like mind control ‘wake up’ 🙃.”

Yet, critics weren’t buying Meek’s story, including one user who responded to his post, saying, “There was no homage being paid he said if I ever lack I’m going out with my chopper like Kobe meaning that Kobe was lacking and that’s why he went out with a chopper.” That person added, “you don’t say that unless you were dissing. F-ck meek. And they both grew up in Philly. Smfh.”

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others passed away in a horrific helicopter accident on Jan. 26, 2020.  They were on their way to a basketball tournament in Ventura County when their aircraft encountered thick fog. Unable to steer past the clouds, the helicopter ran into nearby hills, killing those aboard instantly. 

More than a year later, in February 2020, National Transportation Safety Board findings showed that the pilot was in violation of federal standards and was likely disoriented right before the incident took place.