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The Grammys steered clear of controversy on Sunday as the music industry sent out a message of unity in the wake of Kobe Bryant ’s sudden death.
Bryant, 41, died along with his 13-year-old daughter in a helicopter crash just hours ahead of the ceremony – an event that dominated the evening.
The ceremony, which saw high-profile wins from Billie Eilish , Tyler, the Creator, Lizzo , Lil Nas X and more, was peppered with tributes honouring Bryant and his legacy.
Alicia Keys , who returned as host for the second year in a row, opened the event with a moving homage to the NBA icon , telling the crowd: “Here we are together on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists who do it best. To be honest, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now. Because, earlier today, Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero.”
Keys also called the Staples Center, where the ceremony was taking place, “the house that Kobe Bryant built” – a reference to the fact that the Staples Center is the home venue for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team with which Bryant spent his NBA career.
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guestsShow all 82 1 /82Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lil Nas X attended the 62nd Grammy Awards in a bright pink Versace suit with a matching cowboy hat and gold detailing.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Charlie Wilson arrived on the red carpet wearing a gold patterned tuxedo jacket.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gary Clark Jr, dressed in a dark velvet suit, posed with wife Nicole Trunfio on the red carpet at the Grammys.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Rick Ross wore a black tuxedo and bedazzled sunglasses on the Grammys red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nicole Trunfio attended the Grammys in a black mini dress with a statement bow.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gloria Gaynor attended the Grammy Awards in a pink gown with sparkle details.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Common arrived on the red carpet in a maroon suit.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lucky Daye opted for a pale turquoise suit on the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Finneas O'Connell wore a floral patterned suit jacket on the red carpet. He completed the look with a black bow tie.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ella Mai arrived on the red carpet in a red gown with structured ruffle detailing.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Trevor Noah attended the Grammys in a pale gold tuxedo jacket.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tarriona Ball attended the Grammys in a pale blue gown with feathered statement shoulders.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tanya Tucker attended the Grammys dressed in a leather suit.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shania Twain arrived in a sheer black gown for the 62nd annual Grammys.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lala Milan chose a bright red one-shouldered gown for the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Chrissy Teigen arrived on the red carpet in a structured orange Yanina Couture gown alongside husband John Legend.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Blac Chyna arrived at the Grammys wearing a red long-sleeved gown, a popular colour choice of the night.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Dua Lipa attended the awards show in a white floor-length skirt with a matching top by Alexander Wang.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lana Del Rey opted for a grey old Hollywood-style dress with fringe detailing for the Grammys.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Heidi Klum arrived on the red carpet wearing a nude gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Alessandra Ambosio wore a black and white outfit with a cape-like design on the Grammys red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Camila Cabello wore a black high-low strapless gown by Versace on the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Usher attended the Grammys in a black outfit paired with a bedazzled white and black jacket.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tyler the Creator also opted for a pink outfit, arriving on the red carpet in Bellhop-inspired pale pink pants and a jacket from his fashion line Golf Wang. The rapper completed the look with a hat and a suitcase.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Billie Eilish wore a green and black Gucci ensemble on the red carpet, which perfectly matched her hair colour. The singer paired the look with a black and green Gucci face mask.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Janina Gavankar chose a red gown for the red carpet at this year's Grammys.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Rosalia attended the awards show in a red leather gown with a fringed bottom.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests FKA twigs arrived on the red carpet in a pink and black off-the-shoulder gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Bebe Rexha chose to wear a black blazer and pants by Christian Cowan for the occasion. She paired the look with a crystal top.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shawn Mendes opted for a magenta Louis Vuitton suit for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sophie Turner arrived on the red carpet in a black Louis Vuitton mini dress with a patterned detail. She posed alongside her husband Joe Jonas, who also wore a suit by the designer.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Kevin Jones attended the Grammys wearing a patterned jacket, with his wife Danielle.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Priyanka Chopra wore a white gown with a deep neckline and statement sleeves to the Grammys, where she posed alongside husband Nick Jonas. On her nails, the actress had the number 24 painted, in tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died earlier in the day. The Jonas Brothers singer wore a gold Ermendegildo Zegna suit.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Brittany Howard arrived at the red carpet in a black and green silk outfit, complete with a floor-length jacket.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Billy Porter made another iconic red carpet appearance with a blue jumpsuit complete with a matching jacket, motorised hat and silver tassels.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Adrienne Warren opted for a one-shouldered gold gown for the awards show.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gwen Stefani arrived on the red carpet wearing a short cream Dolce & Gabbana dress with thigh-high boots, alongside husband Blake Shelton.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lil Nas X chose a bright pink Versace suit for the Grammy Awards, where he posed alongside Billy Ray Cyrus.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ariana Grande arrived on the red carpet wearing a tulle grey Giambattista Valli ballgown, matching gloves, and her signature high ponytail.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Njomza arrived at the Grammys in a red cut-out gown with black strappy heels.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ozzy Osbourne, dressed in a pinstriped long jacket arrived at the Grammys alongside his daughter Kelly.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Pia Mia opted for a silver fringed mini dress for the Grammys, which she paired with a white clutch.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jameela Jamil arrived on the red carpet in a strapless Georges Chakra purple and black paneled gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Dreezy chose a structured black high-low gown for the award show.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Josephine Relli arrived at the Grammys in a yellow strapless gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nikita Dragun arrived to the award show wearing a bedazzled gown with sheer sides and a feather boa.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Esperanza Spalding opted for a colourful neon jumpsuit for the awards show.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jessie Reyez arrived on the red carpet in a red strapless gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ricky Rebel arrived on the red carpet in a red statement outfit complete with a lace train and the words "Impeach This" written on his backside.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Steve Lacy attended the Grammy Awards in a grey jacket and skirt.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Joy Villa, known for using the red carpet to make political statements, arrived in a dress that read: "Trump 2020".
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Megan Pormer also chose to make a political statement on the red carpet, with a dress that read: "No War Iran".
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ricky Rebel showed off his backside, which read: "Impeach This".
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shaun Ross opted for a pearl-embellished suit for the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lizzo arrived on the red carpet wearing an old Hollywood-inspired white strapless Atelier Versace gown with a slit, a look she completed with a long white feathered boa and a diamond necklace.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests TV host Keltie Knight arrived on the red carpet in a pink feathered dress accented with a silver belt.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Carmen Vandenberg and Rosie Oddie of Bones attended the award show in matching jewel-toned metallic jumpsuits and sunglasses.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Yola chose a bright pink gown for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Geraldine Ross and Shaun Ross attended the awards show in matching cream outfits, with Shaun's outfit featuring pearl details.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Flor de Toloache arrived at the red carpet in matching white pantsuits detailed with gold embellishments.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sibley Scoles chose a mini dress for this year's award show, which she paired with silver hair.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jennifer Lahmers also opted for bright pink for this year's Grammys, arriving on the red carpet wearing a Stello dress with structured shoulder pads.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests JoJo attended the award show in a grey strapless dress with a thigh-high slit.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jazzmeia Horn arrived on the red carpet in a red and orange patterned gown with a gold clutch.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nathalie Joachim opted for a red structured gown for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ty Dolla $ign arrived on the red carpet wearing black pants paired with a white pinstriped jacket and white shoes.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nadia Shpachenko chose a black and gold gown with statement sleeves for the award show, which she paired with purple hair.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ty Hunter opted for a unique outfit for this year's Grammy Awards, arriving on the red carpet in a structured Christoph Rumpf grey jacket and yellow boots.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Emily King chose a black bustier-inspired black suit for the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sara Gazarek arrived on the red carpet wearing a gown emblazoned with hummingbirds.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Theo Croker arrived at the Grammys in a textured gray and black suit, which he paired with white shoes.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lilly Singh attended the event in a lime green one-shouldered gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Aymee Nuviola opted for a royal blue gown for the Grammys red carpet
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Laura Veltz arrived at the red carpet in a red lace dress with a ruffled bottom.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests British singer Jacob Collier wore a black glittering suit on the red carpet.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tess Holliday wore a pink dress with a ruffled bottom on the red carpet for the 62nd Grammy Awards. She accessorised with a purse by Onna Ehrlich and jewellery by Natalie Mills.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Bobby Rush chose a purple suit for the red carpet at this year's Grammy Awards.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Catherine Russell arrived on the red carpet in a black outfit paired with a satin top hat.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Filippo Cimatti chose a black outfit accented with deep red for the Grammys.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tierney Sutton arrived on the red carpet in a black gown.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Wuki posed on the red carpet wearing a gray jacket paired with black pants.
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Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tessa Lark and Michael Thurber arrived at the Grammys in colourful patterned outfits.
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Boyz II Men joined Keys to perform “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” in Bryant’s memory.
Lil Nas X, meanwhile, included an homage to the NBA great in his “Old Town Road” performance with Billy Ray Cyrus, BTS, Diplo and Mason Ramsey, under the form of a Lakers jersey bearing Bryant’s number (24), which rested next to him as he began singing.
One of the most controversial moments of the night came when Keys took a jab at US President Donald Trump by mentioning the impeachment proceedings currently under way against him – and suggested that Cardi B get involved in politics to “show these people what to do”.
Another divisive element to a broadly unified evening came when Usher, FKA Twigs and Sheila E teamed up for a Prince tribute that rapidly proved controversial. While some praised Usher and his dance moves, others were disappointed when it turned out that FKA Twigs wouldn’t sing during the homage, instead pole-dancing onstage.
Demi Lovato provided one of the emotional high notes of the night when she sang her new tune “Anyone”, earning a standing ovation for her first major performance since her 2018 hospitalisation.
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Sign up Eilish emerged as the clear winner of the night, taking home Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Lizzo won Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Tyler, the Creator, earned the Grammy for Best Rap Album for Igor , while Lil Nas X took home Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.
Late rapper Nipsey Hussle , who was fatally shot in March last year, was recognised posthumously with two wins in the Best Rap Performance and Best Rap/Sung Performance categories.
Keys wrapped up the evening with one last homage to Bryant and his loved ones, signing off with: “God bless Kobe’s family. We love you.”
You can see a full list of winners here .
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