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Grammys 2020: Lil Nas X pays moving and subtle tribute to Kobe Bryant during Old Town Road performance

Basketball icon dead aged 41

Clémence Michallon
New York
Sunday 26 January 2020 23:46 EST
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Grammys 2020: Lil Nas X performs Old Town Road with BTS

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Lil Nas X paid a moving and subtle tribute to Kobe Bryant during his Grammys performance on Sunday night.

The rapper took the stage with Billy Ray Cyrus, K-pop band BTS, Diplo and Mason Ramsey for a masterful remix of “Old Town Road”.

At the beginning of the song, Lil Nas X could be see singing in a decor that included a Lakers jersey with Bryant’s number – 24 – on it.

It was a discreet yet powerful nod to Bryant, whose death was announced just hours ahead of the ceremony on Sunday.

Bryant died aged 41 in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The Grammys ceremony opened with a moving homage to the basketball icon by Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men.

The event was taking place at the Staples Center, the home venue for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant’s team.

Lil Nas X pays tribute to Kobe Bryant with a Lakers jersey during the 62nd Annual Grammys.
Lil Nas X pays tribute to Kobe Bryant with a Lakers jersey during the 62nd Annual Grammys. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

“We’re literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” Keys told the crowd at the beginning of the evening.

Ahead of the ceremony, some of the world’s greatest musicians paid tribute to Bryant.

You can catch up on the biggest talking points of the 2020 Grammys here and view a full list of winners here.

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