Alicia Keys, Boyz II Men, Lizzo, more pay tribute to Kobe at Grammys
The deaths of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were felt throughout the music industry Sunday as artists gathered at Staples Center for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
"Tonight is for Kobe," Lizzo said before opening the show with a performance of her hit "Cuz I Love You."
Lizzo kicks off the #GRAMMYs by dedicating the night to the memory of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/xUht1o1h5L
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) January 27, 2020
Host Alicia Keys used her opening monologue to pay tribute to Bryant and Gianna, and then brought out Boyz II Men for an a capella rendition of "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday."
"We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built." Host @aliciakeys pays tribute to Kobe Bryant, his daughter and their family during her opening monologue at the #Grammys https://t.co/0BNpfw9wWV pic.twitter.com/9VzWZa2M8S
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 27, 2020
"We love you Kobe." @aliciakeys and Boyz II Men sing in tribute to Kobe Bryant and his family at the opening of the #Grammys https://t.co/kk0nIau0ee pic.twitter.com/v3KpXSkvyW
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 27, 2020
Bryant's No. 24 jersey was held up on stage as Aerosmith and Run DMC performed "Walk This Way." Lil Nas X also incorporated Bryant's jersey into his performance.
Lil Nas X begins his #GRAMMYs performance with a tribute to Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/c8ti7NRBI6
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) January 27, 2020
During the Grammys' tribute to Nipsey Hussle, a photo of Bryant appeared on a screen alongside one of the late rapper.
"Rest in peace, Nipsey Hussle. Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant, Gianna," DJ Khaled said. "Long live Nip. Long live Kobe. The marathon continues."
John Legend, DJ Khaled and more end their Nipsey Hussle #GRAMMYs tribute with an image of Kobe Bryant next to Nip pic.twitter.com/0l4STVoRcY
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) January 27, 2020
Bryant and Gianna were among nine people killed Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Southern California's Orange Coast College baseball team head coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, were also killed, Stefanie Dazio of The Associated Press reports.