Drake Shouts Out Kobe Bryant Night Before Lakers Legend's Birthday

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Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 9: Rapper Drake performs onstage during "Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert" at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Bryant would have turned 45 this year

Drake was once again in Los Angeles for another concert on the ongoing It's All a Blur tour. August 22 marked the sixth show in the greater LA area, following a four-show set in Inglewood. During the August 21 show, Drake went out of his way to feature LeBron James and his son Bronny. However, August 22 saw Drizzy pay tribute to a different Lakers legend.

Performing at the Crypto.Com Arena, Drake briefly paused the show after a black Kobe jersey found its way onto the stage. "I'mma hold this up 'cause we got to show love to Kobe one time. Y'all make some noise for Kobe at this time," Drake said. After several minutes of thunderous applause from the sold-out crowd, the Toronto rapper continued with his performance. It's has been a little over three-and-a-half years since Kobe and his daughter Gigi tragically died in a helicopter crash.

Drake Adds Special Meaning To Kobe Bryant Day

Drake's shout-out to the late Lakers legend came the night before Bryant's birthday, August 23. He would have turned 45 this year. Furthermore, the moment came two days before Kobe Bryant Day, which the City of Los Angeles declared following Bryant's death. On August 24, the city encourages its residents to take time to reflect on Bryant's legacy and his impact. As for Drake, he next has shows in Seattle before closing out the month of August with a pair of shows in Vancouver. The tour is currently set to end on October 9 with a concert in Columbus, Ohio.

However, Drake is not the only one who has been remembering Kobe as of late. During the recent Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement, Bryant's name was brought up several times. However, one of the more emotional moments came from Bryant's teammate, Pau Gasol. “I wouldn’t be here without you, brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us. I miss you and love you," the Spanish legend said.

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About The Author
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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