Inside Kanye West’s Midnight Sunday Service To Honor Kobe Bryant

On Sunday night, January 26, Kanye West held a special Sunday Service in which he honored Kobe Bryant. Earlier that day, news broke that the former NBA star, 41, died in a tragic helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and several others.

For this week’s Sunday Service, Kanye, his family and his choir were joined by Kirk Franklin and Chance The Rapper, who performed uplifting music and offered prayers and words of encouragement.

“Kobe, we love you brother,” the father of four, 42, wrote to Twitter. “We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”

Kanye’s wife, Kim Kardashian, also shared her thoughts to social media following the devastating news of Kobe’s passing. “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,” she wrote alongside a photo of Kobe and his 13-year-old.

Kim’s mother, Kris Jenner, shared a similar sentiment to Instagram. “Devastated by the news of losing our precious Kobe Bryant. Words cannot express our sadness. All my deepest love and prayers are with Vanessa and Kobe’s family at this time,” the 64-year-old wrote. “I don’t have the words. Every ounce of my heart is with you, Vanessa.”

On January 26, Kobe’s pilot was cautioned about the “overcast” weather and was advised that the aircraft was “dangerously close” to the ground. “You’re still too low level for flight following at this time,” the air traffic control tower employee warned the pilot prior to the crash. Kobe is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and his three daughters – Capri, Natalia and Bianka.