Cape Town Tigers point guard Myck Kabongo is a significantly better basketballer than fellow rapper J. Cole, it’s fair to say, but the Democratic Republic of Congo international has nothing but respect for the Grammy winner, on the court and off.
Kabongo and Cole are not unknown to each other, even before they both appeared at the inaugural Basketball Africa League last year, as they’ve known each other since their high school days. Cole’s manager, Ibrahim ‘IB’ Hamad is a good childhood friend of Kabongo’s, who grew up in Canada and the U.S.
Kabongo, who uses Lu-Kusa WOE as his musical pseudonym, says that while Cole may have been criticized for veering out of his lane and attempting to play pro ball, athletes face similar backlash when they show a strong interest in making music.
READ: Everything you need to know about the BAL 2022
“There’s a stigma behind: ‘Oh, he’s an athlete. We don’t want to hear it.’ [Many] athletes that do put music out — it’s trash, to be honest — and I take my time and I write my music,” Kabongo told ESPN.
“I’ve studied hip-hop since I was a kid. I take it much more seriously than your average rapper who is just going in there to be cool. I actually have something to say. My music is going to touch people and affect people in a positive way.
“I’m very critical of what I say and how I say it, because I know it’s very important when little kids look up to you and they’re easily influenced, so I have a position to be influencing people for the better.”
Kabongo never shared the same bond with Cole that he did with Hamad, but he was able to touch base with the rap superstar from Fayetteville, North Carolina, at last year’s BAL, where Cole played three games for the Rwanda Patriots.
“I played him [Cole] one of my songs when we were at the BAL last year, and he went crazy,” Kabongo said.
“Obviously, I…
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