They made their mark. The 2020 Grammys remembered all of those we’ve lost over the last year on Sunday, January 26. Honoring both the stars and those who work behind the scenes, the In Memoriam called out artists like Busbee, Neil Peart from Rush, Doris Day, and many more. The music accompanying the tribute was performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Trombone Shorty.

Kobe Bryant, who passed away on the morning of the Grammys, was on everyone’s mind throughout the evening. As Lizzo opened the show, she dedicated her performance to the late athlete. Host Alicia Keys also took a few moments to reflect on the Laker star’s loss.

2020 Grammys Pays Tribute to Lte Lakers Player Kobe Bryant
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Though Prince passed away in 2016, the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards dedicated a few minutes to his memory as Sheila E. and Usher performed. Late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed in March 2019, also got a special shout-out. Peers and collaborators Kirk FranklinDJ KhaledJohn LegendMeek MillRoddy Ricch and YG took the stage in his honor.

“An activist, entrepreneur and rapper, Nipsey Hussle had a lasting impact on not just his community, but also the culture at large,” Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich said in a press release. “There is no denying the influence he had and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. We are honored to bring together this amazing group of artists to celebrate Nipsey’s life and pay tribute to his many contributions to music. It’s sure to be a memorable performance.”

2020 Grammys Pay Tribute to Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant Outside of In Memoriam
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Not everyone made it into the tribute, however. LaShawn Daniels, David Berman, and Mark Hollis seemed to be skipped in the tribute, and people were upset. “Mark Hollis should have been included in the ‘In Memoriam’ montage,” said one disappointed Twitter user. Another chimed in, “Not having David Berman in that in memoriam tribute is pretty s–tty. #Grammys.” A third added, “Where was LaShawn Daniels in the In Memoriam?”

The tradition of airing an In Memoriam section at the Grammys began in the early 2000s, long after most awards shows had adopted the practice. Soon, it evolved to feature musical performances as well as a slideshow of those who passed. In 2016, David Wild, one of the awards show’s writers and producers, explained the decision to Billboard.

“He began to see how performances could be integrated to make it emotionally more significant,” Wild said about Ehrlich. “[The tributes] will be sad and depressing, but I don’t think it’s a morbid fascination. When you’re paying tribute to music people with music, it’s by definition celebratory.” Now, those moments bring the crowd and the audience at home together. “It becomes kind of like [the play Our Town,” he continued. “A moment when people are together almost at the town center and you can deal with losses and work them out in different ways.”

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