Zarina Sotero, Staff Writer |
Music’s biggest night, the GRAMMY Awards, had their 62nd annual award show on Jan. 26, 2020. The Grammys were held in Los Angeles, CA at the Staples Center. The show opened with tributes to Kobe Bryant from Lizzo and this year’s host, Alicia Keys, following the same-day death of the Los Angeles Lakers legend. Lizzo declared, “Tonight is for you, Kobe,” before opening the show with her ballad “Cuz I Love You.” Keys then dedicated the show to Bryant’s memory and performed an acapella version of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” accompanied by Boyz II Men.
There are 84 categories of awards at the Grammys for genres including Pop, Rock, R&B, Rap, and more. Other categories include Composing/Arranging, Historical, Classical production, Music Video/Film and more. The artist who garnered the most nominations this year was Lizzo, with eight in total. However, she only won three of those awards for Pop Solo Performance, Urban Contemporary Album and Traditional R&B Performance. Billie Eilish swept the Grammys, winning five out of her six nominations. Eilish took home the Grammys for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. Lil Nas X also received six nominations, but only walked away with two awards for Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.
Throughout the night, there were performances by Aerosmith with Run-DMC; Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker; H.E.R.; the Jonas Brothers; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and many more. Some of the most memorable performances came from Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Demi Lovato and Tyler, The Creator.
Multiple artists performed tributes throughout the night. One of which was for longtime Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich. Ehrlich’s tribute was performed by Camila Cabello, Gary Clark Jr., John Legend, Common, Misty Copeland, Lang Lang, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Platt and The War and Treaty. These artists said goodbye to the beloved producer with a performance of “I Sing the Body Electric” from the movie-musical Fame. Ehlrich personally chose this song to acknowledge the importance of music education in schools. Another tribute was for the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. DJ Khaled, YG, Meek Mill, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, and Roddy Ricch performed Hussle’s nominated track “Higher” for the tribute. Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to John Prine with a performance of John Prine’s song “Angel From Montgomery.” Finally, Usher, Sheila E., and FKA twigs came together to pay a tribute to the late Prince. Usher and Sheila E. performed a medley of Prince’s hits, including “Little Red Corvette,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Kiss.” FKA twigs performed a dance routine on a pole and alongside other dancers during the tribute.
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