Kid Rock Uses Kobe Bryant Quote to Criticize ‘Haters’ Ahead of His Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Kid Rock seemingly responded to his critics ahead of his alternative Super Bowl Halftime Show by using a quote from late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

On Thursday, February 5, the “All Summer Long” singer, whose real name is Robert Richie, took to X where he shared an image of a quote labeled “Mamba Mentality.” For those unfamiliar, “Mamba” was a nickname for Bryant before he died in 2020.

“Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earnt it,” the quote reads. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.”

The quote image includes Bryant’s signature at the bottom. Kid Rock didn’t elaborate further on why he chose to post it, but it comes mere days before he’s set to headline the conservative organization Turning Point USA’s controversial “All-American Halftime Show.” The event bills itself as an alternative to the official Super Bowl Halftime Show, which will be headlined by six-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny was announced as the official headliner in September, which quickly drew outrage from conservatives who were quick to jump on the Puerto Rican singer’s politics. Specifically, him telling i-D magazine that he would not bring his latest tour to the United States for fear that Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) would target his concertgoers. Undeterred, Bad Bunny continues to be critical of ICE, recently using his time on the Grammys stage while accepting the Album of the Year award to further criticize the organization.

In October, Turning Point USA, originally founded in 2012 by the late Charlie Kirk, announced a counter-programming lineup that will also feature Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett. They’re billing the event as a celebration of “faith, family and freedom” that will air while the Puerto Rican singer is performing at the real show.