Everything
There was an obvious and deafening somber mood on the morning of the 62nd Grammy Awards. Last week, questions were raised over the integrity of the Recording Academy and its annual Grammy Awards after former CEO Deborah Dugan filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It caused the likes of Taylor Swift to pull out of the ceremony at the last minute. And in tragic circumstances, Sunday morning was also met with the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. But amid sandal and sadness, it appears that the 62nd Grammy Awards redeemed not only its reputation, but allowed a platform to promote equality, diversity and a tribute to a revered athlete.
As always, the red carpet was a sea of rhinestones, tulle and spectacular sartorial moments, however it was inside the Staples Centre and in the media room where the best moments were seen.
Alicia Keys pays tribute to kobe bryant
Returning as Grammys host for 2020, Alicia Keys was perhaps the most fitting person to lead the show. And in using the opportunity, the 39-year-old brought Boyz II Men on stage for an acoustic rendition of ‘It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye’.
“Never in a million years did we think we would have to start the show like this. We’re all feeling crazy sadness right now. Earlier today, Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero,” Keys said. “We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house Kobe Bryant built.”
Alicia Keys brought Boyz II Men on stage for an acoustic rendition of "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday" to pay tribute to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant https://t.co/xMpKWYaeIv #Grammys pic.twitter.com/pokpvM10ls
— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2020
Billie Eilish made a stunning performance before Sweeping. The. Floor.
Last week, 18-year-old Billie Eilish admitted that she didn’t think she’d make it to 17 after suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. Just over 12 months later and she has become the youngest and first female artist ever to win four major Grammys – Album of the Year for When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for ‘Bad Guy’ – as well as six other accolades.
It came after a heart felt, live rendition of ‘When The Party’s Over’, which was as beautifully executed as it was completely emotional.
Tyler, The Creator’s acceptance speech paid homage to his mum
Tyler, The Creator has made waves since his latest album release IGOR and on Sunday, he cemented his position as a force to reckoned with, artistically. Seemingly shocked by the win of Best Rap Album, the 28-year-old took to the stage in-hand with his crying mother. It was the perfect candid moment for the artist, saying, “One, to my mother, you did a great job raising this guy,” while she wept proudly alongside his son.
Later on in the media room, he took the opportunity to get political and said he was “torn” with the Grammy Awards and its attitude toward people of colour.
“I’m half and half on it,” he said. “On the one side I am very grateful that what I made can be acknowledged in a world like this… but it sucks that whenever we, and I mean guys that look like me, do anything that’s genre-bending or anything, they always put it in a rap or urban category.”
“And I don’t like that ‘urban’ word,” he added. “It’s just a politically correct way to say the n-word, to me. So when I hear that, I’m just like, why can’t we just be in pop? So I felt like — half of me feels like the rap nomination was a backhanded compliment.”
Nipsey Hussle’s Grandmother accepts posthumous award
In March 2019, the community of Los Angeles tragically lost another man of note, Nipsey Hussle. Murdered in front of his Marathon Clothing Store in Los Angeles, the rapper’s final single ‘Racks in the Middle’ won Best Rap Performance at the 2020 Grammy Awards with the posthumous award presented to his grandmother and brother.
“I wanted to thank all of you for showing all the love that I have felt for him all of his life. And he will always live in my heart, so thank you, thank you, thank you,” his grandmother said to the audience.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Nipsey just won a Grammy. His family came to the stage to accept the award. 😢😢😢
The Marathon Continues pic.twitter.com/IhUlRvYbDh
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) January 26, 2020
