Calabasas, CA – Retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning (January 26). According to TMZ, everyone onboard the flight was killed. Kobe was traveling with at least three other people in his private helicopter when a fire broke out.
Although emergency personnel responded as quickly as possible, they were unable to save anyone’s life. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, was reportedly not one of the passengers on the flight.
Bryant has famously travelled by helicopters for years. He routinely flew from Newport Beach, California to Los Angeles Stapes Center in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper when he played for the L.A. Lakers.
Throughout his tenured 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant made 18 All-Star teams. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft and won five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in 2008.
Hip Hop has come out in droves to express their sympathy and disbelief Twitter.
Check out the reactions below.
Unreal. No words. His daughters.
— PHAROAHE MONCH (@pharoahemonch) January 26, 2020
Oh shit I hope this Kobe shit isn’t real……
— Knowledge Of Selfie (@atrak) January 26, 2020
Just got the AWFUL news about Kobe….. Man!!!!! I’m speechless.
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 26, 2020
Oh shit no Kobe no please God ??????
— Rah Digga (@therealrahdigga) January 26, 2020
R.I.P. Kobe Bryant this is so sad I can’t believe it
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) January 26, 2020
This shit crushed so many kids rn this nigga was some of these Kids MJ!
— zoey dollaz (@ZoeyDollaz) January 26, 2020
This is what happens when you’re Great. We all gonna feel this extra. Thinking about his 4 Girls. ?
— Ev-Ah-Din-Sss (@Evidence) January 26, 2020
what the fuck?!?!?!?!?! this might be the most shocked I've ever been at a celeb death. unreal. four daughters….damn man. rest in peace to the legend and positive energy to his family.
— Trackstar the DJ (@djtrackstar) January 26, 2020
— myka 9 (@myka9) January 26, 2020
This is making my head hurt! Can’t even cope with this
— SELF JUPITER (@JUPRACOBRAH) January 26, 2020
KOBE IS THE FUCKING GOAT I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS ?
— SADISTIK (@TheRealSadistik) January 26, 2020
DAAAAAMN IM SICK ?????
— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) January 26, 2020
im on a airplane rn so crash news is hitting me different regardless but my brain just cant accept this as real
— Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) January 26, 2020
Kobe.!?!
— ??????? (@EQUIPTO) January 26, 2020
RIP KOBE BRYANT!!! GOD BLESS UR SOUL..
— BIG BODY BES (@BigBodyBesNYC) January 26, 2020
Wooooow ?
— DJ Eclipse (@ItsDJEclipse) January 26, 2020
real tears.
— 3.0 (@LuckyovLegends) January 26, 2020
????? Kobe this cant be real!!!
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) January 26, 2020
Fuuuuuuck.
— Rakaa (Iriscience) (@TheRealRakaa) January 26, 2020
Damn man RIP Kobe, fucked up
— Reason the Citizen (@ReasonCitizen) January 26, 2020
REST IN PEACE KING @kobebryant THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GAVE US AND SHOWED US. WE LOVE YOU BROTHER. #Mamba4Ever
— MONTANAof300 (@MONTANAof300) January 26, 2020
Really sad. #kobe
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) January 26, 2020