Nearly a year after Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot in Los Angeles, he won two postumous Grammy Awards on Sunday and was honored during a star-studded tribute.
Director Ava DuVernay introduced the tribute for the late rapper, community activist and philanthropist.
“Tonight we celebrate the enduring memory of an artist and a leader who made brave, brilliant strides to unite this community here in Los Angeles and around the world,” DuVernay said.
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Meek Mill then opened the tribute and was followed by Roddy Ricch.
A short time later, DJ Khaled and John Legend performed the single “Higher,” which they recorded with Hussle. Rapper YG, Hussle’s band, Kirk Franklin and a gospel choir joined them for the performance, in one of the most powerful moments of the night.
At the end of the tribute, pictures of Hussle and Kobe Bryant appeared over the Grammys stage. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, was one of nine people killed earlier in the day in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.
Hussle, real name Ermias Asghedom, was fatally shot in Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. He was 33 years old.
Later in the show, “Higher” won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance. Hussle also won a Grammy during the pre-show ceremony in the Best Rap Performance category for “Racks in the Middle” featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy.
