Music artists are taking to social media to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant, the retired NBA star who died in a helicopter crash Sunday in California.
“It can't be,” Bieber wrote on Instagram, where he shared a throwback photo of himself with Bryant. “You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!”
Bieber’s fellow Canadian artist Drake echoed his thought. “It can’t be,” he wrote on Instagram.
"My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through,” tweeted Taylor Swift. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all.”
Demi Lovato shared: "This makes me so sad. Kobe you were always so sweet to me. Known you over 10 years.. not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse! You will be so missed by so many. You’re a legend with wings now."
"Kobe, We love you brother," Kanye West tweeted. "We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave."
John Legend shared: ”I'm so sad and stunned right now … Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe.”
“There will truly never be another one like you,” tweeted Paula Abdul shortly after news of Bryant’s death was confirmed. Mariah Carey said she was still in shock.
Cher said her heart is broken. "It's SO HARD To Deal With The Death Of a GREAT STAR, Because We Feel As If We Knew Them Personally. Kobe Bryant Was a GREAT ATHLETE, & All Of America Will Feel His Loss," she wrote. "The [world] Has Lost a Bright Light."
A tweet on the official Wu Tang Clan account read: "Shocked and saddened to hear he has died in a helicopter accident. A man that transcends basketball and sport in general. One of the all time great athletes.”
The Kelly Clarkson Show shared a photo of Bryant with the host/singer. “He was a father, husband, author, incredible athlete & one of the kindest guests we’ve had on our show,” read the tweet. “Please keep his family in your thoughts & remember to cherish the ones you love every single day.”
“RIP KOBE , SO SAD," tweeted A$AP Rocky. "SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS , WE LOVE U."
Taylor Dayne shared: "My heart is crying with the rest of the world for Kobe and his family . Heartbreaking."
There were also tributes from stars like Nick Jonas, Meek Mill, Chris Brown, Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne.