“This is Your City”: Kobe Bryant Honored by an Emotional Tribute at the 2020 ESPY Awards

Four days back, ESPN had announced that this year’s ESPY Awards would honor Kobe Bryant. And on Sunday night, they delivered. Hip-Hop legend Snoop Dogg dedicated a tribute to the late Bryant, through an emotional performance. He sang about Kobe’s journey from a rookie to his retirement and the city’s love for him.

“You beat the odds by a mile, All grit no smile, A new golden child, Let’s do it mamba style,” are a few of the iconic verses from the tribute. The tribute also included a video that included Kobe’s highlights on the court, him with his family, and also the several murals made for him.

Kobe Bryant honored, yet again

It has been almost five months since he has passed away, but the tributes never stop for him. He was truly loved by fans all over the world. His connection to the city of Los Angeles was embodied in the verses of Snoop’s tribute. “Your reign in the city remains … greatness in your name. Eastside to the west side, This is your city, Much love for the ride.”

A lifelong Lakers fan, Snoop had been friends with Kobe for years. In 2016, Snoop gifted a Lakers-themed car as a retirement gift to Kobe. The hood of the car has some Lakers legends on it along with Snoop himself.

A friend and former teammate Pau Gasol, also paid his tribute to Bryant at the ESPYs on Sunday. In a video he later shared on Instagram, Gasol says, “He may be known as one of the greatest athletes of all time, but he was one of the boast dads of all time. We lost Kobe and Gigi five months ago. Today his legacy is alive on the streets of L.A. The city that he loved so much. A tribute to his impact now and forever.”

After spending two decades with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant is an icon for the city of Los Angeles now. Through multiple murals across the city and even through tributes like these, Bryant’s memory will forever be immortalized.