Lil Nas X, Alicia Keys added key moments at the Grammys

What was alrey a chaotic week leing up to Grammys suddenly took a somber turn with death of NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was beloved in Los Angeles and especially in Staples Center, where awards show took place Sunday. telecast turned into a tribute to LA's lost heroes, including Bryant and late rapper Nipsey Hussle. n 18-year-old Billie Eilish swept with five wins, capping off an incredible breakthrough year. Here are top moments from 2020 Grammy Awards:

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A HARD GOODBYE:

"It’s been a hell of a week,” Grammys host Alicia Keys ackwledged early on in awards show.

re was a lot of speculation about show after Recording Acemy ousted its CEO, less than two weeks before show. In an onslaught of b press, Deborah Dugan alleged sexual harassment and claimed awards show was rigged. Artists like Sean Diddy Combs spoke out about black artists being snubbed by Recording Acemy.

But as Lizzo said after winning best pop solo performance, everything she was feeling this week was put in perspective after learning about Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash in California, along with his teen daughter and seven ors.

“Your priorities really shift,” Lizzo said.

Grammys were lucky to have Keys as host who gave honest, heartfelt and uplifting messs throughout night and sang a last-minute tribute to Bryant with Boyz II Men on “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday” under Bryant’s jersey numbers illuminated in arena.

Throughout night, artists included Bryant's jersey or his playing number in ir performances or mentioned his passing. When re was so much divisiveness heing into awards show, artistic community came toger in loss.

HUSSLE'S POSTHUMOUS WINS

Los Angeles was really grieving Sunday night for its fallen heroes, gone too soon and too suddenly. Nipsey Hussle was at Grammys last year as a minee before rapper and activist was killed just months later. This year, Hussle won two posthumous awards and his memory and music was hored in a tribute performance by his collaborators and friends.

Meek Mill started with a rap about his reminiscences about his friend. John Legend, behind pia, sang “Higher” with DJ Khaled surrounded by a chorus of singers and dancers in white and gold. Gospel artist Kirk Franklin showed up to whip gospel choir into a frenzy toward end. performance ended with two arena-sized photos of Hussle and Bryant, two titans of community that meant so much to so many.

Later in brocast, Legend hoisted a trophy in Hussle’s name, surrounded by Hussle’s family on st as he and DJ Khaled accepted for best rap/sung performance for “Higher.”

“We’ve seen so much trdy today and last year, but let’s love each or and love our families,” said Legend.

BILLIE SWEEPS

Going into awards show, three first-time minees, Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X, dominated year in music, but 18-year-old Eilish swept with five wins including album, song and record of year, as well as new artist of year.

Her bass heavy, gothic pop album — “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” — was created in her bedroom with her bror, Finneas O'Connell. He walked away with six awards as her producer and co-writer. She wowed fans with her live performances, created a unique style of sporty baggy clos with loud colors and sung with all angst of an army of teenrs.

“This was my first Grammys and I never thought this would ever happen and I grew up watching m,” said Eilish, after winning song of year for “B Guy.”

“This is to all kids making music in ir bedroom today: You’re gonna get one of se,” ded O’Connell.

As each time her name got called to accept an award, she seemed more and more shocked by recognition. Her last speech was likely one of shortest in Grammy history: “Thank you, bye."

SEOUL TOWN RO

Just when you thought Lil Nas X h exhausted never-ending jingle of “Old Town Ro,” with its remixes and endless renditions, Grammys ratcheted it up ar level with a spinning st of guest vocalists, ding what felt like ar three verses.

set felt like a fever dream of young Atlanta rapper whose song captivated everyone’s attention and brought toger surreal worlds of international Korean pop group BTS, YouTube yodeler Mason Ramsey, electronic wizard Diplo and aging country star Billy Ray Cyrus. But kicker of performance was his namesake, rapper Nas, surprising everyone with one more collaboration.

w maybe this song, which won two Grammys, can finally be retired for a bit.

WATER WORKS

If fans weren't crying at beginning of show, y likely found a moment or two by end of show that struck at heart.

ding to drama and sness of night, Demi Lovato broke down in tears on Grammy st singing a song she h written just days before her near fatal overdose in 2018.

Lovato, in a large white Christian Siria gown, h to start performance again after faltering slightly, but finished strongly with just a pia to accompany her. She h crowd on ir feet in a true comeback moment for 27-year-old singer who has been honest and open about her struggles with diction.

In ar performance, Camila Cabello's far was one shedding tears as she serened him with an ode to her papa, “First Man.” Some ors in audience, including Gwen Stefani, shared in emotion of song.

Tyler, Creator's mom also deserves a shout-out for being orably weepy when he won for best rap album for “Igor.”

FIRESTARTERS

Boy, did Grammys need performances like Tyler, Creator and Gary Clark Jr. to d some excitement and energy to an overly subdued show.

Tyler, Creator brought in Boyz II Men and Charlie Wilson for a fiery performance of “Earfquake” and n brought out his clones for “New Magic Wand" that h cameras shaking before he dropped mysteriously off back of st, which appeared to be on fire.

Clark, who won three Grammys in both blues and rock categories, is a workhorse for Grammy performances, often being called in to collaborate on st, but this time he ripped through his song “This Land," a seething indictment of modern day racism.