BeltLine Murals, TOOL Honor Kobe Bryant In Atlanta

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Kobe Bryant tribute murals have begun to appear at the public art space near the Old Fourth Ward Skatepark. / GPB News

Two Kobe Bryant murals have been painted on the BeltLine, and rock band TOOL paid tribute to the late basketball icon during the Atlanta stop of their tour.

TOOL guitarist Adam Jones shared a shot of the band’s State Farm Arena stage tribute to Bryant from Tuesday night on Instagram.

 

 
 

 

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~ Yesterday was bittersweet. We won a Grammy but lost our Hero. We r numb & sad. God bless 9 souls lost & all their loved ones.

A post shared by Adam Jones (@adamjones_tv) onJan 28, 2020 at 11:49pm PST

The murals on the BeltLine feature visages of Bryant and allusions to his nickname “Black Mamba.” The nickname was one he borrowed from the film Kill Bill.

“The length, the snake, the bite, the strike, the temperament," Bryant once said during a 2018 interview with the Washington Post. "'Let me look this up.' I looked it up — yeah, that's me. That's me!'"

Atlanta has seen several tributes to the late Lakers basketball player come out of the city since his death in a helicopter accident Sunday, a sign of how far-reaching Bryant’s influence was — not just in athletics — but in popular culture.

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who is a co-owner of the WNBA team the Atlanta Dream, called Bryant a “dynamic athlete who elevated the game of basketball to new heights.”

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium lit up in gold and purple Sunday night in tribute to the Lakers’ team colors. The canopy at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport lit up in the team's colors, as well. 

Tonight we remember and honor the legend #KobeBryant, his daughter Gianna, and all of the beautiful souls that were on board with them. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends. #KobeTribute #ATLairport #RipKobeBryant pic.twitter.com/LsQMCoeF77— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) January 28, 2020

A banner reading "Thank you, Mamba" hangs on the Equitable Building in downtown Atlanta.

The Atlanta Hawks said in a statement that Bryant's "insatiable drive, legendary competitive spirit and dedication to the game will forever be remembered and live on through the era of players, fans and athletes around the world who were inspired by his greatness."