Jay-Z has revealed the last conversation he had with Kobe Bryant before the basketball star and his daughter died in a helicopter crash.
Bryant was killed in a in January age 41, along with eight others including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Speaking to an audience at Columbia University, Jay-Z said he spent New Year’s Eve with Bryant, and one of their last conversations was about Bryant’s love for his daughter.
“He was just in the greatest space that I’ve seen him in,” the rapper said.
Kobe Bryant 1978-2020 | In pictures
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Kobe Bryant: 23/8/1978-26/01/2020
Getty Images
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With daughters Gianna and Natalia with the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after his team defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 to win the 2010 NBA Finals
REUTERS
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During the 2012 NBA All-Star Game
Getty Images
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A giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game in 2016
AP
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Jumping for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game in 2009
REUTERS
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Reaching back for a rebound during the first half of game four of the Western Conference semifinals against the Sacramento Kings in 2001
AP
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With wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Maria-Onore in 2018
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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With wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Gianna
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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With his daughter Gianna
USA TODAY Sports
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Celebrating in the 2009 NBA finals
AFP via Getty Images
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Dunking the ball with his left hand in the lane in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs
Getty Images
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Backing in on LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Staples Center in 2016
Getty Images
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Showing off his shirt in 1996
AP
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Playing for the cameras at his high school gym in 1996
AP
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At a post-game press conference in 2016
Getty Images
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Waving to fans in 2015
Getty Images
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Speaking to the media after his number 8 and number 24 jerseys were retired by the Lakers in 2017
Getty Images
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Playing against the Utah Jazz in 2016
Getty Images
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Taking on the Denver Nuggets in 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Getty Images
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Getty Images
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Celebrating after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016
Getty Images
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Taking a free-throw against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010
Getty Images
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Kobe Bryant with Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball in 2018
REUTERS
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Kobe holds his Oscar for Best Animated Short, with wife Vanessa
REUTERS
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Gesturing to fans as he takes the court for his last game for the Los Angeles Lakers against Utah Jazz in their season-ending NBA western division matchup in Los Angeles
AFP via Getty Images
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And saluting the fans
AP
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Kobe Bryant: 23/8/1978-26/01/2020
Getty Images
2/26
With daughters Gianna and Natalia with the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after his team defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 to win the 2010 NBA Finals
REUTERS
3/26
During the 2012 NBA All-Star Game
Getty Images
4/26
A giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game in 2016
AP
5/26
Jumping for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game in 2009
REUTERS
6/26
Reaching back for a rebound during the first half of game four of the Western Conference semifinals against the Sacramento Kings in 2001
AP
7/26
With wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Maria-Onore in 2018
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
8/26
With wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Gianna
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
9/26
With his daughter Gianna
USA TODAY Sports
10/26
Celebrating in the 2009 NBA finals
AFP via Getty Images
11/26
Dunking the ball with his left hand in the lane in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs
Getty Images
12/26
Backing in on LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Staples Center in 2016
Getty Images
13/26
Showing off his shirt in 1996
AP
14/26
Playing for the cameras at his high school gym in 1996
AP
15/26
At a post-game press conference in 2016
Getty Images
16/26
Waving to fans in 2015
Getty Images
17/26
Speaking to the media after his number 8 and number 24 jerseys were retired by the Lakers in 2017
Getty Images
18/26
Playing against the Utah Jazz in 2016
Getty Images
19/26
Taking on the Denver Nuggets in 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Getty Images
20/26
Getty Images
21/26
Celebrating after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016
Getty Images
22/26
Taking a free-throw against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010
Getty Images
23/26
Kobe Bryant with Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball in 2018
REUTERS
24/26
Kobe holds his Oscar for Best Animated Short, with wife Vanessa
REUTERS
25/26
Gesturing to fans as he takes the court for his last game for the Los Angeles Lakers against Utah Jazz in their season-ending NBA western division matchup in Los Angeles
AFP via Getty Images
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And saluting the fans
AP
“One of the last things he said to me was, ‘You’ve gotta see Gianna play basketball.’ And that was one of the most hurtful things, because he was so proud.
“And the look on his face was like – I looked at him and said, ‘Oh, she’s going to be the best female basketball player in the world.’ He was just so proud. So that’s really a tough one.
“My wife and I have taken that really tough.”
Beyoncé was one of the many stars who paid tribute to Bryant following his death, sharing a photo of him with Gianni.
“I will continue to diligently pray for your Queens,” she wrote. “You are deeply missed beloved Kobe.”
It was to the same audience at Columbia University that Jay-Z denied speculation that himself and Beyoncé were staging a protest at the Super Bowl last week.
The couple and their daughter Blue Ivy remained seated as Demi Lovato performed The Star Spangled Banner.
Jay-Z said him and Beyoncé staying seated “just happened” as they were so caught up in Lovato’s performance.