DJ Khaled hoisted a classic Kobe t-shirt only hours after the basketball star heartbreakingly died, along with Gianna, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others, in a helicopter crash. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and Academy Award winner was only 41. He leaves behind his wife Vanessa and three other daughters.
On the red carper Khaled, who was scheduled to do an on-stage tribute along with John Legend to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, said they would also honor Bryant during the telecast.
“God is greatness, a blessing, but you know, especially when we doing a tribute for Nipsey Hussle,” he told the E! Live from the Red Carpet show host Ryan Seacrest. “and we also want to pay homage and show love to Kobe Bryant, and his daughter, Gianna, the news is devastating.”
Khaled, who welcomed his second son with longtime partner Nicole Tuck only a week earlier, was overcome with sadness during the Grammys, “It’s hard to even but what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna lift the spirits and pay homage and show love because, you know, like Nipsey would say, the marathon continues.”
DJ Khaled and co. beat out fellow category nominees Lil Baby & Gunna (“Drip Too Hard”), Lil Nas X (“Panini”), Mustard featuring Roddy Ricch (“Ballin”) and Young Thug featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott (“The London”).
DJ Khaled and John Legend (in the background, right,) accept the Best Rap/Sung Performance award for ‘Higher’ onstage during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
