After the sudden deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash late last month, street artists began using their craft to pay tribute to the Lakers legend.
Lakers fan Mike Asner said after the shocking loss he began to see murals popping up all over the city. "I was seeing people commenting about the mural locations and being unable to find them, so there was an opportunity to organize and promote all of these murals," Asner told Cheddar.
He began with an Instagram page and then created a website to catalog all of the artwork by using Google Maps to locate each mural throughout Los Angeles and curating them for residents and visiting fans so they can easily find and view the works in person.
"It has been great to see the response from fans and for us all to honor Kobe, Gigi, and all families involved in this tragedy," Asner said.
Kobe Bryant's impact goes far beyond his basketball legacy, Asner says, and fans are also honoring Bryant as a proud family man. "We are also seeing this city mourn Kobe the father," he said. "As much as I love seeing murals of Kobe the basketball player and champion, it brought me and others so much joy to see the man, father, and husband."
Asner says he can tell through each artists' artwork that they understood and connected to the retired Lakers player's famous "mamba mentality," which Bryant once described as the idea that "no matter what happens, come hell or high water, you're going to figure it out."
"What I am noticing is these artists feel a strong connection to Kobe's work ethic, the 'mamba mentality' and they are applying that to their daily lives and their work on these murals," Asner added.
Need some content to curl up with on the big screen, laptop, or tablet this weekend? Cheddar recommends electrifying evolution, a terrifying phone call, and a podcast to which you might find yourself overly devoted.
The first trailer for Wes Anderson's latest, Asteroid City, just dropped. Quinta Brunson is starring in an SNL promo, and Rachel Weisz is taking over Jeremy Irons' role in a remake of director David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers.
This musician serenades healthcare workers for saving his life. A young gymnast brings more diverse representation to her sport. Eli Manning surprises a seven-year-old cancer patient. Jason Derulo leaves a life-changing tip for an Omaha waiter.
Individuals with special needs shared the stage with professional dancers in a first-of-its-kind performance. A high school basketball player with an upper limb difference shoots for the stars. Seniors respond to reaction to viral Rihanna dance TikTok.
Self-proclaimed “affirmation queen” does not let physical obstacles get in the way of gratitude for life. A bakery owner hires employees with special needs to provide life skills. Man has found a way to combine his two passions- an orthodontist and a vintage vinyl record store owner — under the same roof.
