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Usher performs 'Amazing Grace' during Lakers' tribute to Kobe Bryant

The emotional performance was part of the Lakers' tribute to the late basketball star.
/ Source: TODAY
By Alexander Kacala

On Friday, Usher performed a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace" before the Los Angeles Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers during the Lakers' first game back since the death of Kobe Bryant.

Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Sunday that also killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant as well as seven others.

Usher was accompanied by a pipe organ for his emotional performance. Behind him stood two floral arrangements that displayed the numbers 8 and 24, Bryant's numbers when he played for the Lakers.

Usher was photographed before the game sitting in the stands, the somber still making the rounds on the internet showing the musician sitting deep in thought amongst a sea of Bryant's jerseys.

Portland Trail Blazers v Los Angeles Lakers
Usher sits alone in the stands at the Staples Center before his performance to honor Lakers great Kobe Bryant on Jan. 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

On Monday, the 41-year-old musician tweeted a photo of himself with Bryant, alongside the caption, "Missin You..."

Alexander Kacala

Alexander Kacala is a reporter and editor at TODAY Digital and NBC OUT. He loves writing about pop culture, trending topics, LGBTQ issues, style and all things drag. His favorite celebrity profiles include Cher — who said their interview was one of the most interesting of her career — as well as Kylie Minogue, Candice Bergen, Patti Smith and RuPaul. He is based in New York City and his favorite film is “Pretty Woman.”