Moment Lauryn Hill breaks down mid-set at Chicago memorial service to Off-White fashion designer Virgil Abloh: Kanye, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Drake all pay their respects to 41-year-old 'visionary' who succumbed to rare cancer

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Singer Lauryn Hill appeared to break down in tears as she performed at the star-studded memorial service for Virgil Abloh held in the beloved fashion designer's hometown of Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Hill, 46, took the stage Monday to perform her critically lauded 1998 song Everything Is Everything, but she choked up and let the band play on as she grieved the late visionary.

The family of the Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer was joined by close friends and - including Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Rihanna and Drake - to pay their respect nine days after Abloh died. 

Abloh tragically passed away on Sunday, November 28 at the age of 41 following a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma and had sought a number of treatments before his death.  

Hill was dressed in all black as she took a cloth to her face to wipe away tears while her background singers harmonized behind the former Fugees rapper. She took off her sunglasses and continued to dab her face before she began to vocalize.

'I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth,' she sang.

Rapper and singer Lauryn Hill had to stop for a few seconds to compose herself as the band played in the background

The Grammy Award winner was overcome by emotion as she played to a crowd of hundreds at Abloh's service

Following Abloh's passing Hill had written on Instagram 'May God cover and comfort the family and loved ones of Virgil Abloh

Memorializing him by music: The Doo Wop (that thing) singer was seen performing with a gospel choir in the background 

A beautiful life: A-listers and close friends of the late Virgil Abloh  including Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Rihanna, Drake and more all gathered to pay their respect at his memorial service on Monday held at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art; Abloh's sister Edwina is seen eulogizing her brother

Video from Monday's memorial service shows the Grammy winner nodding her head and mouthing, 'Thank you,' as the standing crowd claps after the performance.

There was not a dry eye in the room as celebrities, family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Abloh in a large room which was adorned with several extravagant floral displays.

Abloh's wife of 13 years Shannon Abloh gave a eulogy as well as his sister Edwina Abloh and Tyler, the Creator — who was photographed breaking down in tears.  

Stories about the prolific designer's life were shared and Pastor Don C led the the packed room in prayer. #

A memorial pamphlet read 'A service in loving memory of Virgil Abloh' and featured an image of the designer on the back cover.

Additional family members including Virgil's children Lowe and Grey Abloh, and his parents, Nee and Eunice Abloh, were in attendance to mark his life. 

Kendall Jenner, Vic Mensa, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky joined the A-listers in paying their respects.    

Gone too soon: Abloh tragically passed on Sunday, November 28 at the age of 41 following a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma and had sought a number treatments before his death

Devastating loss: Kanye West was in attendance as he paid respect to his long-term collaborator and lifelong friend

In his memory: Following the passing of Abloh, West dedicated his Sunday Service to him

Showing support: Kim Kardashian looked stylish in a pant suit as she supported her friend and the longtime colleague of her estranged husband

Condolences: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were in attendance to celebrate the life of the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer as well

Holding him close: The pair looked sombre as they exited alongside hundreds of people following the memorial service 

Large gathering: Hundreds of people gathered at the memorial service at 12PM on Monday including notable celebrities who gathered on stage while one of many speeches was given 

Leaning on each other: During one fond recollection of Abloh's life West (right) was glimpsed on stage in a hoodie and face mask with Drake on the opposite end (left) who bowed his head in sunglasses

Fond memories: His sister Edwina Abloh was just one to provide anecdotes about her brother's incredible life while surrounded by a supportive community including big names in the music and fashion industries 

Eulogies: Tyler The Creator was one memorable musician who eulogized Virgil, breaking down in the middle to wipe away tears

During a eulogy led by Abloh's sister Edwina, Drake was seen on stage opposite West alongside a large group, as they all bowed their heads with hands on each other's shoulders.

Virgil's wife, whom he married in 2009, also offered up a heartfelt tribute.  

'He could hop up here and say the most beautiful, intelligent, profound words. His vocabulary alone was massive. He'd say some word and I'd be off googling it on the side, ' Shannon said in excerpt to endearing chuckles.

 In another excerpt she continued to recount how he lived his life pushing other people to be their best selves. 

'"Just do it he'd say — do more",' she recalled. 'He was always in your corner. That's how he lived his life. If he had an idea he'd never second guessed or thought twice, he just did it and kept it moving.'  

The couple kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight. 

In loving memory: Abloh's  memorial pamphlet is pictured above

Smiling soul: An image on the back paid testament to his uplifting and positive demeanor as recounted by the many celebrities who paid tribute to him

Following the memorial services, the guests gathered in another heavily decorated room with gold lanterns hanging from the ceiling for some light refreshments.  

Kim Kardashian kept a low profile throughout the service but looked stylish in a pantsuit and oversized sunglasses  as she exited the memorial service ahead of West, who signed a few autographs while wearing leather gloves and a hoodie underneath a coat. 

The divorced couple appeared to get into the same SUV and had also put on a united front together in honor of their late colleague as they attended Abloh's final showing of his Louis Vuitton menswear collection in Miami last week. 

Frank Ocean as well as Rihanna and A$AP were also pictured leaving the gathering, with the Umbrella singer being snapped resting her head on her boyfriend's shoulders.  

Leaving together? Kanye was spotted walking behind Kim to what looked to be the same SUV

Dressed to impress: The SKIMS founder's look included oversized sunglasses and what looked to be an Off-White suit

Crowd pleaser: The Donda rapper was seen signing fan autographs as he exited 

Escape plan: Though estranged wife Kim Kardashian was also present and they put on a united front at Abloh's final Louis Vuitton showing in Miami last week

Following suit: The memorial service showed all A-list celebrities wearing customary black with their own stylish take

His hero: In Frank Ocean's tribute he had called Abloh his 'hero' 

Rare being: Ocean continued to recall of Abloh's character that 'he was interested in living and living to the maximum extent of his level' despite his secret cancer battle 

West had perhaps the most enduring friendship with the designer as the two became close when both landed an internship at Fendi in Rome in 2009. 

They continued to collaborate together for many years to come, but reportedly had a falling out over the fact that Abloh had not come to work exclusively with West. However, they reconciled in 2018.  

Following Abloh's passing, West had dedicated one of his Sunday Services to the designer and wiped his Instagram feed clean of all images, and additionally it was said that he was one of 'those close to Virgil who was aware of his illness,' per TMZ.   

Refreshments: Following the emotional service guests were treated to light refreshments where they mingled 

An honour: A number of attendees took to social media to share insights into the day, with posts cropping up online. Among these was a post from Drake showing a coin adorned with the words 'Virgil Was Here'

A further honour: He also shared an image of a private jet personalised with Virgil's name and the logo for Drake's record label

Off out: Drake shared a snap from inside the jet after leaving the event 

A number of attendees took to social media to share insights into the day, with posts cropping up online. Among these was a post from Drake showing a coin adorned with the words 'Virgil Was Here'. 

Proving his talents as a designer spanned beyond clothing, Abloh had also designed the God's Plan rapper's private jet — dubbed 'Air Drake' — which features the OVO owl and the words 'VA Abloh engineering.' 

Following the service, the Canadian crooner shared an image flying into the sky via the jet with the words 'til next time.'

 Further images showed Aleta Clark, known as Englewood Barbie, chatting animatedly to both Drake and Kanye as they paid their respects to the late great designer and their good friend. 

Chatting: Further images showed Aleta Clark, known as Englewood Barbie, chatting animatedly to both Drake and Kanye as they paid their respects to the late great designer and their good friend

Warm: Kanye shook hands with Aleta outside the service 

Abloh trained as an architect and made history as Louis Vuitton's first black artistic director. 

The founder of game-changing label Off-White, a brand he created in 2012, had taken over the role from Kim Jones. 

Abloh's death was announced on Instagram on November 28 with a lengthy caption revealing he had secretly fought cardiac angiosarcoma since 2019.

The caption read: 'We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and dear friends and colleagues.'

'We are all shocked by this terrible news, Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,' Louis Vuitton executive director Bernault Arnault said in a statement. 

Comfort: Also seen exiting were Rihanna & A$AP who looked downcast as she rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder 

Packed: Despite the scale of the museum, the memorial service was packed with those who knew and loved Abloh

Gigantic presence: Following the emotional service and reception a room of emotionally drained guests were seen exiting including Virgil's wife Shannon (bottom center) 

Packed house: The extent of the late designer's influence and love was evident in the amount of people that filled up the large museum

'The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their brother, their father or their friend.'

His death sent shockwaves through Hollywood as he had battled his illness in private.

Frank Ocean called him a 'hero', Gigi Hadid had likened his enduring legacy to that of Mickey Mouse: 'forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN.' 

Countless others including Pharrell Williams, Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace had also paid tribute to the great innovator — many of who were present at his memorial service.    

anecdotes: The lengthy service showed many famous and non-famous faces paying their respect

Kind words: The day was filled with emotional speeches that spoke to his character both personally and professionally