'Back off b***h before we come get you': Snoop Dogg makes shocking threat against Gayle King
On February 27, just before the Grammys kicked off, the world lost a legend. Kobe Bryant's death shocked the world and fans, entertainers, and sports stars, they all grieved.
Some, however, brought up sexual assault allegations from Bryant's past. Actress Evan Rachel Wood tweeted, “I am heartbroken for Kobe’s family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously.” After severe backlash, she deleted the tweet.
Gayle King recently sat down with Bryant's friend Lisa Leslie for an interview. A clip where King brings up Kobe's rape case went viral causing the interviewer to receive severe backlash from many who thought she was being insensitive and was trying to tarnish the legacy of a beloved sports legend. However, American rapper Snoop Dogg has slammed King for being selectively insensitive towards black men accused of rape, while leaving out white celebrities away from the blame.
King, however, has come out in defense of the interview and has criticized CBS for allowing the clip to be released out-of-context. In the interview, King asks "It's been said that his legacy is complicated because of a sexual assault charge which was dismissed in 2003, 2004. Is it complicated for you, as a woman, as a WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) player?" to which Leslie responds that it was "not complicated for me at all," and that Bryant was not "the kind of person that would be (or) do something to violate a woman or be aggressive in that way." King then pointed out that Leslie would not be able to see that side of Bryant, being his friend, and Leslie states that while that was possible, she chose to not believe Bryant was capable of something like rape.
Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to call out King for bringing up allegations against Bryant while ignoring the ones against white celebrities. He even shared a picture of her with Harvey Weinstein who has been accused of sexual assault by over 80 women.
In his rant Snoop says, "We expect more from you, Gayle. Don't you hang out with Oprah? Why y'all attackin' us? We your people. You ain't comin' after f*ckin' Harvey Weinstein askin' him dumba** questions." Snoop then goes on to make derogatory comments towards King as he angrily says she is not allowed to "tarnish" Bryant's reputation. He adds, "respect the family and back off b*itch before we come get you."
Within the context of the interview, King traces the history of Bryant's legacy and his friendship with Leslie, and the sexual assault allegation is, unfortunately, a part of that legacy. But for most fans of Bryant, bringing it up is considered to be disrespectful, especially at a time when his family is mourning the loss of both Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.
Problematic insults and threats aside, some have highlighted that Snoops comments are misogynistic and are part of a long history of alleged, and in some cases convicted rapists being defended because they are believed to be part of a conspiracy against black men.
Kanye West has defended Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, and R. Kelly. 50 Cent slammed Oprah for participating in the documentary about Russell Simmons' sexual assault and interviewing Jackson's accusers in the 'Leaving Neverland' documentary. And now Snoop has come for King and Oprah while defending all of the above-mentioned men accused of sexual assault. Most of these men have faced trial, and some are currently serving time in prison.
Cosby, a convicted sex offender currently serving the first of his three 10-year prison sentences also took to Instagram to respond to Snoop's rant, saying “When they brought me to my gated community and placed me inside of my penthouse, they didn’t win nor did they silence me. It’s so sad and disappointing that successful Black Women are being used to tarnish the image and legacy of successful Black Men even in death.” Cosby continues, "Are these people that in need of fame, ratings and/or money? On behalf of myself, Camille and my family, thank you, thank you and thank you. My heartfelt prayers are with Kobe and his family, as well as with Michael Jackson and his family. May their legacies live on forever.”
Snoop reposted the message on Instagram with the caption “Love u uncle bill. 🤜🏾🔥💯.” Yikes.
Bryant was accused of rape by a 19-year-old hotel employee in 2003, an allegation he categorically denied. He did, however, release an apology to the accuser stating he did not question her motives as she was not paid by him nor did she intend to use his statement against him in the civil case that followed.