BJ the Chicago Kid is mourning the loss ofKobe Bryantafter the longtime Los Angeles Lakers star was tragicallykilled in a California helicopter crash.
“It’s worth the honor of someone of that stature and his family, even the other passengers, it’s worth the respect,” the star (né Bryan James Sledge) said. “There’s no way in the world I could not speak about the honor of Mr. Kobe Bryant and those others involved in the crash.”
Bryant, 41, died Sunday morning alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and an additional seven other people when their helicopter went down in Calabasas, California,authorities said at a press conference.
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The athlete was reportedly traveling in his private helicopter at the time, according toTMZ.
BJ the Chicago Kid noted that because he’s from the Windy City, his basketball hero has always been Chicago Bulls legendMichael Jordan— but that Bryant held a special place in his heart, too, because of his connection to Jordan.
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“I think being an R&B solo artist, it really takes a certain kind of stability to withstand something that’s not being so popular and you stay there,” he said on the carpet, because it’s so easy to go do what everyone else is doing. But to believe in something and be here for it and be Grammy-nominated for it makes me feel amazing. I’m honored to be here for who I really am. Not for something I’m trying to be.”
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source: people.com
