LeBron James apologizes for posting ‘Jewish money’ rap lyrics

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James came under fire over the weekend after he posted rap lyrics that included the line “We been getting that Jewish money.”

James was referencing a song by rapper 21 Savage, who had released his new album “I Am > I Was” on Friday. James apologized for the post after the team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

James was wearing a purple Lakers sweatshirt as he rode in the passenger seat of a car. The lyric “We been getting that Jewish money, Everything is Kosher” was from the song “ASMR.” (The acronym often refers to “autonomous sensory meridian response,” briefly described as a tingling sensation on the skin.)

Darren Rovell

Surprised LeBron, who makes very few mistakes, put this out. Does quoting lyrics from a song absolve the person quoting from the responsibility behind the words? I’d argue no, especially with a following of 45 million.

James defended himself, saying his interpretation of the lyric was about strength in the Jewish business community, according to ESPN. There was reportedly no indication James would be fined by the NBA.

The three-time NBA champion’s comments come after an episode of HBO’s “The Shop” aired showing him ripping NFL owners as “old white men” with “slave mentality.”

“In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality,” James said. “And it’s like, ‘This is my team. You do what the f— I tell y’all to do. Or we get rid of y’all.’”

James has also had to defend himself earlier in the week after saying he would like to play alongside New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis. The comments brought accusations of tampering.