Jay Z Reveals Kobe Bryant's Last Words To Him Were About Seeing Gianna Play Basketball

BY Erika Marie 8.6K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Noel Vasquez / Stringer / Getty Images
Jay Z, Kobe Bryant
He was sure she would become the greatest female basketball player.

Columbia University hosted a session with Jay Z on Tuesday (February 4) that birthed many revelations during the Roc Nation leader's discussion, including the rapper's last interaction with Kobe Bryant. Roc Nation Sports released a clip of Jay's conversation with the intimate crowd and someone in the audience wanted to know his thoughts on the recent passing of the NBA icon.

Ethan Miller / Staff / Getty Images

Gathering his thoughts and emotions, Jay took his time with his answer. “So, Kobe was a guy that looked up to me and we've hung out multiple times and he was last at my house on New Year's. He was just in the greatest space that I’ve seen him in," Jay Z said. “One of the last things he said to me was, 'You’ve gotta see Gianna play basketball.'" Tragically, Kobe's 13-year-old daughter would also lose her life in a helicopter crash alongside her father.

“And that was one of the most hurtful things because he was so proud," Jay continued. "And the look on his face was like—I looked at him and said, 'Oh, she’s going to be the best female basketball player in the world.' He was just so proud. So that’s really a tough one. My wife and I took that and taking that really tough. That's all I'll say on that. Just a great human being and was just in a great space in life." Check out the clip below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.