Rumor Mill

KOBE REMEMBERED

January 26, 2020

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash Sunday. Multiple artists paid tribute to the Laker great during Sunday's Grammy telecast.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash Sunday. Multiple artists paid tribute to the Laker great during Sunday's Grammy telecast.

In her opening remarks, host Alicia Keys said, “I know how much Kobe loved music. I know how much he loved music. So we’ve got to make this a celebration in his honor, you know? He would want us to keep the vibrations high. You know music is that one language we can all speak.” 

Boyz II Men joined Keys for an acapella version of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” His two retired jerseys, #8 and #24, were illuminated in the rafters of Staples Center.

The night's tributes to Black Mamba included a jersey draped on a chair at the opening of Lil Nas X's performance; a DJ holding up Bryant's #24 jersey during Aerosmith and Run-DMC's "Walk This Way";  and a portrait hung next to one of Nipsey Hussle following the Hussle tribute.