Kanye West pays tribute to Kobe Bryant.
In the wake of his tragic death on Sunday, Kanye honored the NBA legend during a special midnight Sunday Service in L.A. According to Billboard, guests included Kirk Franklin, who delivered a moving spoken word, while Chance the Rapper performed his verse on “Ultralight Beam.”
At one point, Kanye freestyled a verse in honor of the former Los Angeles Laker. “When I was driving home, they was pinning your jersey on the freeway and I just broke down,” he sang.
“If Kobe was here, he’d maybe grab the mic / If Kobe was here, he here tonight,” said a somber Kanye.
Kanye singing about Kobe at #SundayService last night (1.26.20)💛🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Nr7GCXB99B
— Photos of Kimye Media 🐐👑 (@photosofkimye) January 27, 2020
Ye also paid tribute to him on Twitter. “Kobe, We love you brother,” West wrote alongside a photo from a 2010 studio session with Bryant. “We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
Kobe, We love you brother
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave pic.twitter.com/pxbgLOOmpY
— ye (@kanyewest) January 26, 2020
His wife Kim Kardashian West also penned a heartfelt note. “My heart is so heavy,” she wrote. “No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through. This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it. I am praying for the Bryant family, the Altobelli family and the families of all who perished in this unthinkable tragedy. Rest In Peace Legend.”
My heart is so heavy. No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through. This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it. pic.twitter.com/U3osyw6Pzu
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 27, 2020
Kanye was in attendance at Kobe’s final game for the L.A. Lakers in 2016 and honored him on his last day on the court with a line of Mamba Day-themed merch that read “I Feel Like Kobe” on the front and “Greatest of All Time” on the back.
Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday in Calabasas, Calif. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, also died in the crash, along with seven others.
Other celebrities including Drake, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Bruno Mars, and Barack Obama have also penned tributes to Bryant on social media.
