Snoop Dogg calls Kobe Bryant 'a great leader and role model' after lashing out at Gayle King over rape questions
As the world prepares itself to bid a final goodbye to basketball legend Kobe Bryant in the coming weeks, several celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, are still coming out to pay their tributes to the #24.
The 'California Dreaming' hitmaker, 48, talked about his good friend Bryant while guest-hosting the 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' alongside Martha Stewart and offered his condolences to the basketballer's family.
"He was just a great leader, a great role model and we're going to miss him dearly, we send love to Vanessa and the kids, and just wanna put that love angel around them and make sure that they get through this time right here," he said.
He went on to describe Bryant as an "inspiration" to everyone around the world. "He was finding other ways to personify himself off the court and he being a leader," the rapper shared.
"The young generation of basketball players looked up to him, the young generation of rappers looked up to him, even rappers like myself, who was older than him, looked up to him because he showed me ways on how to be a better person, a better father, a better man."
The guest for that day's episode was Snoop Dogg's fellow rapper Ice Cube, and Stewart pointed out how Bryant had been alongside him the last time he had appeared on the show.
Ice Cube, sporting a Lakers cap and jacket in honor of his late friend, also spoke up about how Bryant was an extraordinary human being.
"He wasn't just satisfied with God's given talents, he wanted to be even better than the talents that God gave him... he is an amazing person because most people say I got these gifts so I will kick back and cruise and he said no you can take it farther," he said. "We love Kobe's spirit more than anything."
Bryant, 41, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others lost their lives after a helicopter carrying them crashed into the mountainside in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, January 26.
The area surrounding the Staples Center, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, where Bryant spent most of his professional career, has since become a makeshift memorial. Thousands from around the country, and the world, have flocked to the scene to pay their tributes and leave bouquets, gifts, and cards.
Bryant's grieving widow, Vanessa, confirmed that the public memorial service for her husband and daughter was going to be held at the Staples Center in an invitation with 24 purple and yellow butterflies.
The number, as well as the date, 2/24/20, is a significant one as it corresponds with the No. 2 jersey worn by Gianna, the No. 24 jersey worn by Bryant, and the 20 years he spent at the Lakers.
The ceremony will begin at 10 am in the morning and tickets currently cost anywhere between $780 and $6,534.