Los Angeles, Jan 27 (AFP/APP): he 2020 Grammys kicked off Sunday with an emotional tribute to the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, whose sudden death in a helicopter crash left Los Angeles in tears on music’s marquee night. Before the star-studded event’s top nominee Lizzo owned the stage at the Staples Center with a show-stopping medley of her top hits — where Bryant made NBA history as a championship-winning Laker — she laid down the evening’s overarching theme: “Tonight is for Kobe.” The twerking flautist then handed the torch to host Alicia Keys, who offered another love letter to Bryant’s memory: “We’re all feeling crazy sadness right now. Earlier today, Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero.” “And we’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” said Keys, before launching into a soulful rendition of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” with the group Boyz II Men. “He would want us to keep the vibrations high,” Keys later said, before singing a humorous yet soothing opening monologue at the piano. A mushrooming crowd of people, many of them in tears, gathered near the arena to mourn the 41-year-old Bryant. Flags were flying … Continue reading Grammys gala begins with love letter to late NBA star Kobe Bryant