Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men open Grammys with emotional Kobe Bryant tribute
The NBA legend and his daughter died in a helicopter crash on Sunday
The 2020 Grammy Awards opened on a sombre note as host Alicia Keys brought out Boyz II Men to pay tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant, who died Sunday in a helicopter crash.
"We're all feeling crazy sadness right now," Keys told the audience at Los Angeles' Staples Center where Bryant spent 20 years playing for the L.A. Lakers. "We are all literally standing here in the house that Kobe Bryant built."
Keys and Boyz II Men then performed the group's 1991 song, "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday." Watch the moment below.
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people who died in the crash in Calabasas, Calif.
Lizzo, the evening's first performer, also addressed the tragedy. Before launching into her song "Because I Love You," she said, "Tonight is for Kobe."
"Tonight's for Kobe!" Lizzo kicks off the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRAMMYs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRAMMYs</a> with rendition of "Cause I Love You" <a href="https://t.co/k6dOKYyZEH">https://t.co/k6dOKYyZEH</a> <a href="https://t.co/iaoJCxL934">pic.twitter.com/iaoJCxL934</a>
—@VarietyMany other musicians, both on the Grammys red carpet and off, have also reacted to the news of Bryant's death. Toronto rapper Drake, who was not at the Grammys ceremony, posted a photo of a jacket with Bryant's face on it with the caption: "It can't be."
Pop star Justin Bieber echoed Drake's comment, adding: "Gave me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day! Love you man!"