From the red carpet to the main stage, sadness loomed over musicB次元官网网址檚 biggest night Sunday at the arena in downtown Los Angeles where Kobe Bryant played for 20 years for the cityB次元官网网址檚 NBA team.
BryantB次元官网网址檚 death in a helicopter crash earlier in the day was acknowledged in the opening minutes of the Grammys broadcast. Before her performance, Lizzo said, B次元官网网址淭his is for Kobe.B次元官网网址� She went on to perform B次元官网网址淭ruth HurtsB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淐uz I Love You.B次元官网网址�
Host Alicia Keys said she was feeling B次元官网网址渃razy sadB次元官网网址� about Bryant. She was joined on stage with Boyz II Men, who collectively sang B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭he whole wide world lost a hero,B次元官网网址� the singer said in front of the audience. B次元官网网址淲e are standing here literally heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.B次元官网网址�
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in the crash on a steep hillside in dense morning fog in Southern California. He was 41 and had retired from the Lakers in 2016.
Some shed tears for Bryant on the red carpet. Others were almost speechless ahead of the 62nd annual awards show.
Music artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Ross and Kirk Franklin paid tribute to Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time champion. Debbie Allen, who is married to former Laker Norm Nixon, was seen crying.
DJ Khaled said the news about BryantB次元官网网址檚 death was B次元官网网址渄evastating.B次元官网网址� He took part in a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle that also included John Legend, Meek Mill, Kirk Franklin, Roddy Ricch and YG. They performed B次元官网网址淟etter to NipseyB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淗igher.B次元官网网址�
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At the end of the performance, each performer turned around and pointed toward a screen with a picture of Hussle and Bryant. The tribute prompted a standing ovation that lasted for more than a minute.
B次元官网网址淟ong live Nip. Long live Kobe Bryant. Long live Gianna. The marathon continues,B次元官网网址� Khaled said.
Tyler, the Creator said he went through different emotions.
B次元官网网址淭he news was heavy, especially being in LA and being near the Staples Center within a short period of time between him and Nipsey,B次元官网网址� he said backstage after winning best rap album. Hussle, who was known for being a huge Lakers fan, was shot and killed 10 months ago in Los Angeles.
B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e from Los Angeles, depending on which sector youB次元官网网址檙e in, that (expletive) is really heavy,B次元官网网址� the rapper continued. B次元官网网址淲e took an L tonight. Rest in peace to Kobe. We also took a win just being from Los Angeles. ItB次元官网网址檚 mixed emotions.B次元官网网址�
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Cyrus had No. 24, BryantB次元官网网址檚 number, on his guitar, and Lil Nas X had a Bryant jersey draped over a chair at the beginning of their performance of B次元官网网址淥ld Town Road.B次元官网网址�
Run-DMC member Joseph B次元官网网址淩unB次元官网网址� Simmons held up a white Bryant Jersey during the groupB次元官网网址檚 performance of B次元官网网址淲alk This WayB次元官网网址� with Aerosmith.
Ross remembered a brief conversation he had with Bryant that involved him admiring the NBA starB次元官网网址檚 craft. The rapper said the game would miss him.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a huge loss to the game,B次元官网网址� Ross said on the red carpet. B次元官网网址淗e was a great example on a lot of different stages.B次元官网网址�
Singer Charlie Wilson called Bryant a B次元官网网址渂eautiful soulB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渙ne of the greatest who played the game.B次元官网网址�
Hit-Boy, who won a Grammy with Hussle and Roddy Ricch for best rap performance for B次元官网网址淩acks in the Middle,B次元官网网址� said he was not going to attend the awards when he learned about BryantB次元官网网址檚 death. But the producer said he decided to stick it out in deference to several relatives who were joining him.
B次元官网网址淚 was two seconds away from just cancelling everything,B次元官网网址� Hit-Boy said.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who knew Bryant personally, said he felt horrible but also learned a lesson.
B次元官网网址淚 hope everyone. B次元官网网址� gives their loved ones a hug and a kiss,B次元官网网址� Kraft said. B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 take anything for granted. We should pinch ourselves and make sure we remember those we care most about.B次元官网网址�
Outside Staples Center, fans wearing BryantB次元官网网址檚 No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys flocked to the arena to show their respect for the Laker legend. A few hundred people gathered at L.A. Live in front of a mega screen with a smiling Bryant that read, B次元官网网址淚n Loving Memory of KOBE BRYANT 1978-2020B次元官网网址�
Smokey Robinson choked up on camera as he spoke of Bryant, whom he called a friend.
B次元官网网址淎s a dad myself, to think that his daughter was there with him and there was nothing he could do for her,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢y god.B次元官网网址�
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AP Entertainment Writers Leanne Italie and Marcela Isaza contributed to this report.
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Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
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