It wasn’t easy for anyone to accept the death of Kobe Bryant this past Sunday (Jan 26), especially those who had to attend the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards just a few hours after news broke. It proved to be particularly hard for soul siren Alicia Keys, who was tasked with opening the show as the host for the night. However, the Songs In A Minor singer pulled it off effortlessly and was even able to give the Black Mamba a fitting tribute with help from equally soulful R&B legends Boyz II Men. We now have a better idea of how it all came together with such short time to prepare.

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As group member Nathan Morris recently told GQ, the guys actually found out just one hour before showtime. They were originally there to just sing background alongside Charlie Wilson for GRAMMY-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator’s stage-rocking performance. However, following the shocking news of Kobe’s fatal helicopter crash, the guys immediately agreed to sing their 1991 hit “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” with Alicia joining as well after her manager contacted theirs to ask if they’d be down. “We were in the dressing room rehearsing the actual song we had come to the Grammys to perform,” Morris confirmed, adding a more extensive breakdown by stating, “The show wasn’t too far from starting, and we got the call asking if we wanted to do ‘It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.’ We always try to be ready vocally, but I mean, when you care about somebody in this manner, you can be vocally ready, but you may not be mentally ready. We sat around and tried to figure it out. Alicia wanted to sing it with us, so we went to her dressing room and created a little something in like 10 minutes.”

Even their attire was completely unplanned, as Nathan also told GQ that they guys wore their street clothes onstage because they didn’t have anything else to wear given such short notice. Alicia gave a similar recollection during her visit to The Ellen Show, telling the talk show host they were all “freaking out” due to having something completely different planned for the show opener. “We had to really figure out how could we properly honor him in his house on this night,” she said in reference to the Staples Center being the home of Kobe’s former LA Lakers team. With meditation music and a minute to think, Alicia tells Ellen that she wanted to do something special with Boyz II Men and that it was comparable to magic. We couldn’t agree more.

Watch Alicia Keys’ full breakdown of her tribute to Kobe Bryant alongside Boyz II Men during the 2020 GRAMMYs below, and continue to keep Black Mamba, his daughter Gianna and everyone who perished in that tragic accident in your prayers: 

Everyone is feeling the unexpected tragic loss of Kobe Bryant, especially those who attended the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards last night (Jan 26) at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, otherwise known as the Black Mamba’s former stomping grounds as a loyal Lakers legend. For Meek Mill, who was tasked with paying tribute onstage to another fallen Cali legend, Nipsey Hussle, the feeling was almost too much to maintain. However, along with fellow hitmakers John Legend, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled and Roddy Ricch, he pulled through to perform one unforgettable tribute to both of them that won’t soon be forgotten.

Reflecting back on the moment Instagram (seen above), Meek shared a touching flick of all five men looking up at a monitor that broadcasted an image of Nip and Kobe side by side. The fact they were able to add in Bryant at the last minute was a miracle in itself, although it never will truly feel right knowing that we lost two of arguably the most influential people in today’s pop culture to unexplainable fates that still don’t seem real. We can only agree wholeheartedly in regards to Meek’s caption that reads, “NIPSEY X KOBE FOREVER! Even tho this will never look right to me.[sic]” Our sentiments exactly. 

Watch a fan-recorded clip of Meek’s tribute performance to Nipsey at the 2020 GRAMMYs below, and keep both of these men and their families in your prayers: 

While Usher's tribute to Prince at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards last night (Jan 26) was more of a miss than a hit amongst many fans, no one could deny that FKA Twigs killed it as the lead dancer throughout the performance. However, lots of viewers felt like the "Cellophane" singer was, well, not treated as a singer when she rightfully should've been. Surprisingly enough, Twigs had something to say on the subject in her own words.

Those tuning in last night to the 2020 GRAMMYs may have been surprised to see Usher giving a grand tribute to music icon Prince, but unfortunately praise for his performance wasn't exactly universal. However, before we get into public opinions, check it out in its entirety below, featuring longtime Prince collaborator Sheila E. and a show-stealing pole performance by FKA Twigs: