Watch Usher Deliver ‘Amazing Grace’ at Lakers’ Kobe Bryant Tribute

R&B veteran Usher performed an emotional rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace" as the Los Angeles Lakers honored Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the victims of the tragic helicopter crash. Just before the Los Angeles Lakers played a home game on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Staples Center turned into a celebration and a wake, featuring musical performances, video tributes and speeches.
Usher's performance was accompanied by a video showing how fans, fellow basketball players and athletes across sports and across the world mourned for Bryant. Usher sang "Amazing Grace" beside floral arrangements of Bryant's two jersey numbers, 8 and 24.
Following Usher's performance, the Lakers played a six-minute tribute video to Bryant highlighting his career accomplishments with voiceover provided by the basketball legend. Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist Ben Hong accompanied the video live at center court.
R&B group Boyz II Men sang a rendition of the national anthem, and Lakers guard LeBron James addressed the crowd.
"I know, at some point, we will have a memorial for Kobe, but I look at this as a celebration tonight," James said. "This is a celebration of the 20 years of the blood, the sweat, the tears, the broken-down body, the getting up, the sitting down, the countless hours, the determination to be as great as he could be."
Earlier Friday, James revealed on his Instagram that he had gotten a new tattoo in Bryant's honor on his left thigh. It was a black snake with the inscription "Mamba 4 Life."
"In the words of Kobe Bryant, Mamba out," he told the fans, "But in the words of us, not forgotten. Live on, brother."
Tags : usher usher amazing grace usher kobe bryant tribute kobe bryant kobe bryant death Boyz II Men los angeles lakers kobe bryant tribute lebron james
Hot Trends
-
Jaelee Roberts Releases the Raw and Emotional “Heavy As A Stone In Her Heart”
-
Sound Street Shares Joyous New Single, "I'm So Blessed"
-
Seacoast Worship Releases New Album "Courage (Live)"
-
Rory Feek “Gentle Man” Album Review
-
Don't Miss the 3 Heath Brothers' "We Need Revival"
-
Holly Halliwell Directs Listeners to God with "I'm Not My God"
-
Ivan Parker Has Cancer and Needs Our Help
-
"The Chosen: Last Supper" Opens At Number 3 at the Box Office
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Passion's "I've Witnessed It"
-
Ivan Parker Celebrates 'Sunday Mornin’ Country’ With Family, Friends And Musical Legends
-
Harvest “Glad” Album Review
-
HAUSER Announces Highly-Anticipated 2024 U.S. Tour as New Christmas Album Drops Oct 27
-
Exclusive Song Premiere: The McKameys Releases "There is Jesus (Live)"
-
Ryan Ellis Announces First Headlining Tour
-
Kim Walker-Smith Releases Brand New Song; New Album Out This Summer
Most Popular
-
Jaelee Roberts Releases the Raw and Emotional “Heavy As A Stone In Her Heart”
-
Sound Street Shares Joyous New Single, "I'm So Blessed"
-
Seacoast Worship Releases New Album "Courage (Live)"
-
Rory Feek “Gentle Man” Album Review
-
Don't Miss the 3 Heath Brothers' "We Need Revival"
-
Holly Halliwell Directs Listeners to God with "I'm Not My God"
-
Ivan Parker Has Cancer and Needs Our Help
-
"The Chosen: Last Supper" Opens At Number 3 at the Box Office
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Passion's "I've Witnessed It"
-
Ivan Parker Celebrates 'Sunday Mornin’ Country’ With Family, Friends And Musical Legends
-
Harvest “Glad” Album Review
-
HAUSER Announces Highly-Anticipated 2024 U.S. Tour as New Christmas Album Drops Oct 27
-
Exclusive Song Premiere: The McKameys Releases "There is Jesus (Live)"
-
Ryan Ellis Announces First Headlining Tour
-
Kim Walker-Smith Releases Brand New Song; New Album Out This Summer