How the Grammys 2020 Paid Tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gianna

The 62nd annual Grammy Awards kicked off by paying tribute to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant who tragically lost his life. Early Sunday along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a shocking helicopter crash. Lizzo acknowledged the basketball legend right at the top of the show before her opening performance announcing.

Tonight is for Kobe Grammys host Alicia Keys also addressed the tragic passing appearing somber as she opened the show honoring the iconic athlete inside the Staples Center the longtime home of the Los Angeles Lakers who Bryant played for his entire NBA career.

“Literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.” – Alicia Keys

The singer was then joined by surprise guest voice to man for an Impromptu Acapella performance of their 1991 version of the classic. It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday later in the show, serenaded the audience and addressed Kobe’s love for music saying.

I know how much he loved music so we’ve got to make this a celebration in his honor the tributes to the NBA legend were sprinkled throughout the night such as during Aerosmith and Run DMC’s performance of Walk This Way. When one of the performers held up one of Bryant’s number 24 Lakers jerseys as well as during lil nas X’s star-studded performance of Old Town Road.

Which started off with a rapper in a living room with Bryant’s Jersey next to him Billy Ray Cyrus played a guitar with the number 24 on it. One of the performers cried out at the end of the performance Kobe. We love you Bryant was also remembered during a tribute to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle with a Laker stars image.

Fans leave flowers and candles near a #Kobe Bryant mural in Los Angeles.

Hundreds have gathered in LA Live plaza at a makeshift memorial for the former @NBA and Los Angeles Lakers star after learning of his death https://t.co/oGabvXe3BE pic.twitter.com/8RSaEe9PzV

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 27, 2020

Emblazoned next to hustles on a screen at the back of the stage at the end of the performance. Both of Bryan’s retired jersey numbers were illuminated in the Staples Center rafters which the cameras focused on during keys opener as the show wrapped with Eilish his sweep of the major awards guests exited to massive images of Bryant seen directly through the glass of steeple center.

Outside hundreds of Lakers fans still barreled toward the stadium with flowers and yellow and purple balloons in hand to take part in the city wide tribute.