Kobe Bryant Says Phife Dawg's Death Is a 'Passing of a Legend'

Real recognizes real, and Kobe Bryant is no exception.

The Los Angeles Lakers star reflected on the recent death of hip-hop artist and noted basketball aficionado Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor, calling it a "passing of a legend."

Bryant described Phife Dawg and A Tribe Called Quest's music as timeless, explaining to the media how it has stood the test of time following the Lakers' 116-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

"You can release a Tribe album and it's just as relevant and hot now as it was then," Bryant said.

The rapper died Tuesday at the age of 45.

[Lakers Nation, h/t Complex]