‘Leave a name! Don’t B scared’: Kobe and Gigi Bryant mural defaced in apparent street artist beef

A mural that pays tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, located in downtown Los Angeles at the corner of 14th and Main streets, has been vandalized. The artwork, a bright and emotional tribute to the late father and daughter who died in a heartbreaking helicopter crash in 2020, was completely covered by white and black graffiti. This act turned a beloved memorial into what appears to be a battleground in a dispute between street artists.

The original mural, painted by an artist who goes by the name Sloe Motions, showed Kobe Bryant in his Lakers uniform, gently kissing Gianna on the cheek. Per TMZ, this touching image, one of many tributes to the Bryants found across Los Angeles, was an important spot for fans and locals, serving as a lasting memorial for the two. However, the vandalism covered this heartfelt scene with a harsh contrast: a messy layer of white paint and aggressive graffiti.

The graffiti included a direct taunt aimed at Sloe Motions, first written over the original artist’s signature. The message, partly covered itself, read, “Keep running your mouth, p***y,” a clear insult suggesting there was already some kind of conflict between the original artist and the person or people who vandalized the mural.

Kobe & Gigi Bryant’s mural has been defaced

This first insult did not go unanswered. Another piece of graffiti, painted over the first one, fired back: “Leave a name, p***y! Don’t B scared.” This back-and-forth of graffiti, layered on top of the already ruined artwork, turned the mural into a visual argument, showing how the dispute between the unknown vandals was getting worse.

The exchange suggests that the vandalism was not random but a targeted attack against the original artist, turning the Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural into a stage for an ongoing fight within Los Angeles’ street art scene.

The incident has drawn a lot of attention, especially because Kobe and Gianna Bryant are deeply respected and admired in Los Angeles and beyond. The fact that a memorial for such beloved figures became part of what seems to be a street art feud has made the situation even more upsetting.

In response to the vandalism, a GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise money to restore the mural. The goal is to collect enough funds to clean off the graffiti and bring back Sloe Motions’ original tribute. As of now, the fundraising is still going.