Hours afterKobe Bryantdied, he was honored with an emotional tribute during the music industry’s biggest night.
On Sunday, during the62nd Grammy Awards,Alicia Keystook a moment at the beginning of the ceremony to honor the former NBA star, 41, who died the morning of the awards show, which is held in Los Angeles’ Staples Center — the arena that is home to the Lakers team that Bryant played for.
“Here we are together on music’s biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best. But to be honest, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today, Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built. Right now, Kobe and his daughter Gianna, and all of those that have been tragically lost today are in our spirit. They’re in our hearts and our prayers. They’re in this building”
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty
“Share our strength and our support with their families,” the R&B singer continued. “We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this, never never never never never never, so we wanted to do something that could describe a tiny bit how we all feel right now.”
Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men honor Kobe Bryant at the 2020 Grammy Awards.Kevin Winter/Getty
She continued, “We’re going to bring it all together we’re going to love together, and we’re going to make sure that we are celebrating the most powerful energy, the most beautiful thing in the world. The one thing that has the power to bring all of us together. That’s music. It’s the most healing thing in the world.”
Then, before performing a song she created specially for the Grammys on the piano, Keys said, “Kobe would want us to keep the vibrations high.”
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died in theCalabasas helicopter crash, reps for Bryant toldTMZ Sports. Emergency personnel responded, but none of the nine people onboard survived, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said during a press conference.
Gianna Bryant, Kobe Bryant.Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Earlier in the day, there was a moment of silence observed during the un-televised portion of the awards ceremony.
Ahead of the main show, Grammy producers toldBillboardthey were “working quickly” to add a tribute to Bryant into the ceremony following the news earlier in the day.
Many stars on the Grammys red carpethave paid tribute to the athleteas well, includingBJ the Chicago Kid, Wycleff Jean,Rick RossandDiplo.
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’sfull Grammy Awards coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Kobe Bryant.Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty
Earlier on the red carpet,E!hostsRyan SeacrestandGiuliana Rancichonored Bryant at the start of the show,calling the news “devastating.”
Rancic, 45, gave her condolences to Bryant’s wife, Vanessa.
“My heart is so heavy today, like so many people watching this in the United States but all around the world. And as a mother, as a wife, as a human, my heart goes out to Vanessa and their family tonight, first and foremost,” themom to 7-year-old Dukesaid.
The 62ndGrammy Awardsare airing live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
source: people.com
