Grammys open with Kobe Bryant tribute hours after NBA superstar, daughter die in helicopter crash
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The 62nd Grammy Awards opened on Sunday with a touching tribute to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant just hours after the beloved athlete was killed in a helicopter crash.
«Tonight is for Kobe,» singer Lizzo told the audience before she began belting out an energetic performance of her hit, «Cuz I Love You.»
Host Alicia Keys then took the stage to ask viewers to keep Bryant, 41, his daughter, Gianna, and other victims from the helicopter crash that took their lives on Sunday in their prayers.
KOBE BRYANT AMONG THOSE KILLED IN CALIFORNIA HELICOPTER CRASH
In this June 7, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP)
«Here we are together on music’s biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best. But to be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryan built,» Keys said.
The singer continued: «Right now Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, and all those who have been tragically lost today are in our spirit, they’re in our hearts, they’re in our prayers, they’re in this building. And I would like to ask everybody to just take a moment and hold them inside of you and share our strength and our support with their families. We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this. Never, never, never, never, never. So we had to do something that could describe a tiny bit how we all feel right now.»
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Keys was then joined onstage by Boyz II Men, who sang «It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.»
Host Alicia Keys speaks onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
She then reminded the audience within the Staples Center that music is the one thing that can bring the world together at such a somber time.
«We’re going to sing together, we’re going to laugh together, we’re going to dance together, we’re going to cry together, we’re going to bring it all together and we’re going to make sure we’re celebrating the most powerful energy — the one thing that has the power to bring us all together — and that’s music.»
Cameras then panned to Bryant’s retired Los Angeles Lakers jerseys showing his retired numbers 24 and 8. Bryant, one of the greatest NBA players of all-time and a superstar who transcended sports, was killed in a fiery helicopter crash in California on Sunday. He was 41.
In a pre-awards show ceremony on Sunday, Interim Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. opened the ceremony where dozens of Grammys are handed out before the main show, telling attendees, “As most of you may know, we lost Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter accident today.»
«Since we are in his house, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence,” Mason said.
Artists arriving at the show reacted to Bryant’s death and his influence.
Blues artist and Grammys nominee Keb’ Mo’ called Bryant’s death “a huge loss.”
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“He’s just a huge role model,» Keb’ Mo’ said.
British artist Labrinth said: “It was insane news to hear this morning. He’s been part of my life for a very long time. … I couldn’t believe it.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
