As the outpouring of condolensces and support for the Bryant family continues following the devastating loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on January 27, celebrities from all walks of life have professed the sadness and emptiness they feel in the wake of the tragedy.
Actors, musicians, and atheltes alike have all offered comments on the situation, but a particularly unique take on mourning came from the mind of multi-hyphenate artist Kanye West, who hosted an impromtu Sunday Service in honor of Bryant last night.
As per The Shade Room, the artist hosted his religious proceedings at midnight, January 27, in honor of the fallen basketball player.
In attendance alongside West for the special service were artists Chance The Rapper and Kirk Franklin, frequent collaborators of West and notable religious aficionados themselves.
Chance The Rapper making an appearance is significant alongside West, given that the Chicago-born rapper also entered the news recently for his controversial decision to cancel an upcoming tour to focus on spending time with his immediate family, a truly relevant topic given the gravity of Bryant and his daughter’s tragic loss.
Prior to taking the stage at Sunday Service, West issued his own personal condolences on his Twitter page, a rarity for the typically recluse artist that has notoriously been against social media and its suggested damaging implications in society.
“Kobe, we love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave,” the artist tweeted in wake of the troubling news.
His condolence post has garnered almost one hundred and fifty thousand retweets and almost nine hundred thousand favorites at the time of writing.
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
Alongside West, wife Kim Kardasian-West also took to social media to share her condolences following the tragedy, saying, “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. 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,” the social media star concluded
West and Bryant’s friendship was well documented and dated back for quite some time. Appearing alongside each other in commercial spots, constantly referencing each other, along with Bryant even aiding West in writing his ‘Power’ remix verse at one point as well.
Kirk Franklin led off the memorial service with an emotional and touching prayer. Afterwards, while performing ‘Ultralight Beam,’ Chance The Rapper had began crying and had to pause performing his portion of the song to try and collect himself.
