Music’s biggest night was not only about celebrating the past years number one hits or watching artists take the stage, it was about remembering the life of someone who did not make music, but who made history: Kobe Bryant. On Sunday morning of January 26th, news broke that the five-time NBA championship winner and basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, had died in a helicopter crash. The crash involved 8 other victims including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant. The tragic news shook the sports world and also took a huge hit in Hollywood. As stars began getting ready for a night some won’t ever forget, they all were struck with the news about the death of someone they called a friend, a brother, a colleague, and an inspiration. It turned out to be a day nobody would ever forget. Although it was hard to celebrate during that time, Alicia Keys and many artists made their tributes and performed never-forgetting performances that made the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards one of the best ones yet. Here are a few highlights from Sunday night’s award show:
- Lizzo Dedicated “Cuz I Love You”
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Lizzo dedicated “Cuz I Love You” to Byrant after acknowledging the night was for him. She continued to sing her biggest hit, “Truth Hurts,” and ended it with a few tears on stage. This was Lizzo’s first Grammy Awards.
- Alicia Keys Opens the Show
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Alicia Keys opened up with a remembrance monologue and a goodbye tribute with four-time Grammy winner group Boyz II Men, who sang “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye.” Throughout the entire evening a spotlight shone on Byrant’s two retired jerseys that hung from the ceilings for the Staples Center.
- Lizzo Wins
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Lizzo took home her first Grammy award for Best Pop/Solo performance for “Truth Hurts.” She ended the night with three total and her speech about making people “Feel Good as Hell” reminded all of us why we love her.
- Tyler the Creator
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Tyler the Creator performed on stage with Boyz II Men and Charlie Wilson, singing his two hits “Earfquake” and “New Magic Wand,” which literally shook our tv screens. His iconic vision for his performances and his music landed him his first Grammy for Best Rap Album. And we can’t forget the funny, but also sweet, moment of him having to remove his mom off of him to give his speech.
- Lil Nas X and BTS
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Lil Nas X performed his massive hit “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus, Mason Ramsey, and the iconic global Korean group BTS. This performance was the best way to end its record-breaking year.
- Camila Cabello’s “First Man”
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Camila Cabello serenaded her father with an emotional performance of her new single “First Man.” This father and daughter moment had many audience members in tears, but the one with the most was her father who was sitting in the front row.
- Usher’s Tribute
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Usher pays tribute to the seven-time Grammy winner and the one and only Prince. He sang a mashup of Prince’s top hits, including “Kiss,” which won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1987.
- The Tribute
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John Legend, DJ Khaled, YG, Kirk Franklin, Meek Mill, and Roddy Ricch honor Nipsey Hussle by singing Legend’s, Khaled’s, and Hussle’s track “Higher.” The performance ended with pictures of Hussle and Kobe Byrant on the screen behind them. The trio won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance for the song late that night.
- Demi’s Comeback
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Demi Lovato took the stage for the first time in two years and the first time since her overdose in July 2018. She sang her new single “Anyone,” that she had written four days before she overdosed. Lovato broke down when the song began but she restarted and finished the entire performance. She received an emotional reaction and standing ovation from the audience.
- Billie Eilish
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Billie Eilish’s performance set was simple yet mesmerizing`. She and her brother, Finneas, sat with a piano and sang one of her very first hits “When the Party is Over.” Her performance is not the only thing going down in history, she swept all of the top four categories of the night. Eilish was not just the youngest Grammy-nominated artist, but she is only the second person to win “Best New Artist,” “Song of the Year,” “Record of the Year,” and “Album of the Year.” She is the first person to win them since 1981 and she is also the first female to win all four in a row in history.
The rest of the highlights and the full list Grammy winners can be found here.