It has been more than a week since Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash, and the world is no longer talking about the unexpected tragedy. Finally, during the inauguration of the Shaun JAY-Z ?Carter Lecture Series at Columbia University, Jay-Z recalled his last conversation with Bryant. They have been friends for years and met for the last time at the New Year's party that Beyonce organized.

Jay-Z confessed that the last thing Bryant talked about was the pride he felt for Gianna and her basketball career.

"Kobe was very good then. Remember one of the last things he said to me was, 'You gotta see Gianna when she's playing.' And it broke my heart because he was so proud of her, it looked on his face. I saw him and said, "Oh, he's going to become one of the best basketball players in the world," the rapper said.

Aggravated by the loss of a friend, the rapper concluded: ?Beyonce and I found it very difficult to get past this moment. That's what I mean. He was an extraordinary man in his best days. ?

Homage to Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna will be held February 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.