Kobe Bryant Honored With Emotional Song at Grammys 2020

Under the lights of the Staples Center — home to Kobe Bryant's team the Los Angeles Lakers — the biggest names in music gathered for Grammys 2020, and led by Alicia Keys, mourned the Jan. 26 death of Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Music's biggest night came on the heels of tragedy. Just hours before, Bryant and his daughter, along with seven others, were killed in a Calabasas, California helicopter crash.

Prior to the ceremony, celebrities on social media including Demi Lovato and Gigi Hadid paid their respects, and the tributes continued throughout the night. As NME reported, the Grammys premiere ceremony, a pre-show that happens before the red carpet, started with a moment of silence for Bryant. “As most of you may know, we lost Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter earlier today,” the Recording Academy’s interim chief Harvey Mason Jr. said. “Since we are in his house, I ask you to join me in a moment of silence.”

It was the first of many moments throughout the night that referenced Bryant. On the red carpet, celebs including Rick Ross, Common, Diplo, Trevor Noah, and Smokey Robinson touched on Bryant's impact. "He was so young," Diplo told Ryan Seacrest on E! Live From the Red Carpet. "He's my age, 41. He had so much more to do, and to be here at Staples right now, you look up and see his jersey....you feel the energy."

Speaking with Teen Vogue's Darian Harvin on the carpet, Victoria Monet said she was unable to comprehend the passing. "It feels weird being in the Staples Center to be honest," she said. "I would rather swap out my dress for his jersey right now. I can’t even imagine what his family is going through. But I’m just trying to take the positives of tonight and what he would have wanted for his legacy and that’s everyone to appreciate the life that they have and show the people that they love that we do love them. Tonight’s an opportunity to do that."

GUAPDAD 4000 also spoke with Teen Vogue about the impact of Bryant's passing, saying, "This is a monumental loss for the culture. I’ve got to think outside of myself and let our people grieve for a hero. He was a superhero."

H.E.R. also called the player a legend, noting in an interview on E! that Bryant was a personal inspiration. Inside the arena, Bryant's jerseys were illuminated throughout the ceremony.

The night opened with Lizzo performing "Cuz I Love You," and before the music began, she announced, "Tonight is for Kobe." And moments later when host Alicia Keys opened the show, she asked for those watching to take a moment to hold those affected by the crash in their hearts, saying, "We're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built." She was later joined by Boyz 2 Men for a performance of "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday." Later in the show, Lil Nas X included Bryant's jersey in the background of his performance, and during a tribute performance for Nipsey Hussle, a photograph of Bryant was included in a large backdrop alongside Hussle.

Additional reporting contributed by Darian Harvin.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue