Alicia And Boyz II Men Keys Pay Tribute To Late NBA Star Kobe Bryant At The Grammys With A Capella Performance

Jan 27, 2020 by apost team

Kobe Bryant's fans are gathering at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles to mourn the loss of the NBA legend. The L.A. Lakers star had played some of his best games there. The staples centre is also the location for the Grammy Awards ceremony tonight. 

Grammys host Alicia Keys asked for a moment of silence for the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter in the 'house that he built' - the Staples Center. 

"Kobe and his daughter Gianna, and all of those that have been tragically lost today are in our spirits, in our hearts and our prayers today.... share our strength and our support with their families," said Keys. "We never imagined in a million years we would have to start the show like this... [Music is] the most healing thing in the world, so let’s get some healing going on right now."

The singer was accompanied by R&B group Boyz II Men to perform a capella version of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" to commemorate the legendary basketball star.

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The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the basketball star was traveling on an S-76 helicopter Sunday morning when it crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, as per the Washington Post. TMZ reports the group was en route to Mamba Academy near Thousand Oaks, California, for basketball practice when the helicopter crashed. 

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by local authorities, but eyewitnesses tell TMZ they “heard the helicopter's engine sputtering” before it crashed. 

A memorial for Bryant has already been erected outside of the Staples Center, where the star played for many years. 

Fans have also gathered around the crash site of the tragic helicopter crash as well as the Bryant’s Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks to pay their respects for the late basketball player. 

Other prominent figures have also come forward to pay their respects to Bryant, including former President of the United States Barack Obama.

"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act," Obama said.

"To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day."

Our deepest condolences go out to the Bryant family.