Music stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant at Grammys award show

LOS ANGELES — From the crimson carpet to the key stage, sadness loomed over tune’s greatest night Sunday at the field in downtown Los Angeles where Kobe Bryant played for 20 years for the metropolis’s NBA crew.

Bryant’s loss of life in a helicopter break earlier in the day used to be acknowledged in the gap minutes of the Grammys broadcast. Sooner than her efficiency, Lizzo said, “That is for Kobe.” She went on to assemble “Truth Hurts” and “Cuz I Admire You.”

Host Alicia Keys said she used to be feeling “loopy unhappy” about Bryant. She used to be joined on stage with Boyz II Men, who collectively sang “It’s So Demanding to Whisper Goodbye to The day past.”

“Your total huge world lost a hero,” the singer said in front of the target audience. “We are standing her actually heartbroken in the dwelling that Kobe Bryant constructed.”

Bryant, his 13-year-ancient daughter and 7 others had been killed in the break on a steep hillside in dense morning fog in Southern California. He used to be 41 and had retired from the Lakers in 2016.

Some shed tears for Bryant on the crimson carpet. Others had been virtually speechless before the 62nd annual awards remark.

Song artists collectively with Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Ross and Kirk Franklin paid tribute to Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Massive title and five-time champion. Debbie Allen, who is married to ancient Laker Norm Nixon, used to be considered crying.

DJ Khaled, who will clutch fragment in a tribute to the boring Nipsey Hussle, said the tribute will also pay homage to Bryant and his daughter.

“The news is devastating,” said Khaled, who is anticipated clutch the stage with John Narrative, Meek Mill and Kirk Franklin. “We’ll be capable to be paying homage to no longer solely Nipsey but additionally Kobe and Gianna. It’s exhausting for me to chat a upright.”

Ross remembered a short dialog he had with Bryant that interesting him admiring the NBA smartly-known person’s craft. The rapper said the game would omit him.

“It is factual a astronomical loss to the game,” Ross said on the crimson carpet. “He used to be a mountainous example on loads of varied stages.”

Singer Charlie Wilson called Bryant a “shapely soul” and “indubitably a number of the ideal who played the game.”

Hit-Boy, who received a Grammy with Hussle and Roddy Ricch for solely rap efficiency for “Racks in the Center,” said he used to be no longer going to inspire the awards when he realized about Bryant’s loss of life. However the producer said he made up our minds to stick it out in deference to a variety of kinfolk who had been joining him.

“I used to be two seconds away from factual canceling all the pieces,” Hit-Boy said.

Unique England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who knew Bryant personally, said he felt rotten but additionally realized a lesson.

“I’m hoping every person. … presents their liked ones a hug and a kiss,” Kraft said. “Don’t clutch one thing else without a consideration. We ought to pinch ourselves and be obvious that we take into accout these we care most about.”

Outside Staples Center, fans carrying Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys flocked to the field to remark their respect for the Laker myth. A pair of hundred folks gathered at L.A. Dwell in front of a mega conceal conceal with a smiling Bryant that learn, “In Loving Reminiscence of KOBE BRYANT 1978-2020”

Smokey Robinson choked up on digicam as he spoke of Bryant, whom he called a real friend.

“As a dad myself, to think that his daughter used to be there with him and there used to be nothing he could furthermore kind for her,” he said. “My god.”

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AP Entertainment Writers Leanne Italie and Marcela Isaza contributed to this document.

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Follow AP Entertainment Author Jonathan Landrum Jr. on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrLandrum31