Snoop Dogg Looks To Kobe Bryant And Nipsey Hussle For Daily Motivation

Snoop Dogg is considered an icon who has inspired many young rappers and stars. But the 48-year-old believes the late Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle are legends whose lives "were examples of what we can do to be better."

Bryant lost his life in January this year in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, and rapper and activist Hussle was fatally shot outside his store in South Los Angeles last year.

Snoop said Bryant’s life is an example of how one can become an inspiration on and off the court.

"The thing about the Kobe mentality is that, you know, he showed us that you could be great in your profession, but you can be even greater after your profession -- to master yourself to learn how to be great... Find ways to maximize the strength of who you are. Not just what you was, but who you are," Snoop said during a chat with Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier.

The rapper added that he looks to both Bryant and Hussle for motivation when he wakes up in the morning.

"When I wake up in the morning, that's the first thing I say, you know, I got to keep that enlightenment, that spirit alive, of the Mamba mentality... and then run this marathon like Nipsey," he added.

Snoop honored Bryant during the virtual 2020 ESPY Awards last month with a rap tribute, where he called the NBA player a “friend and leader." "Your reign in the city remains… greatness in your name," he rapped.

At Hussle's funeral at the Staples Center back in April last year, Snoop called the rapper a hard worker as well as a "peace advocate."

“But one thing me and Nip had was a kind spirit," Snoop said. "We had that spirit of love. People magnate to Snoop Dogg, and they magnate towards Nipsey. When we met, it was like a magnet coming together."

Meanwhile, Snoop also spoke about Kanye West's political ambitions, which he called "confusing." But Snoop admitted during his ET interview that the "Stronger" singer was a genius at making music.

Snoop will next be seen in an upcoming "Verzuz" battle, where he will face off against DMX. The rapper sees "Verzuz," the showdown series started by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland on Instagram Live, as a "celebration" rather than a fight.

"It's not a derogatory thing, where we don't like each other," he explained. "It's a celebration of two artists who naturally respect each other, love each other, who deserve to be in the ring to celebrate each other's music."