The 62nd annual Grammy Awards have opened with a moment of silence for basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died at the age of 41.
On Sunday, the Recording Academy’s interim CEO and board chair, Harvey Mason Jr, began the award show asking for the tribute to Bryant, who was reported dead just hours before after a helicopter crash.
“As most of you may know, we lost Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter accident today,” Mason said during the untelevised portion of the awards show. “Since we are in his house, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence.”
This year’s Grammys are being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, where Kobe played for the Lakers before retiring in 2016.
As the music industry prepares for the biggest night in music, mourners have arrived at the venue to pay their respects to the late NBA star, despite officials reportedly asking that fans of Bryant not gather outside of the Staples Center due to tonight’s award show.
Earlier in the day, tributes poured in for the basketball legend, who died while travelling in his private helicopter when it crashed in Calabasas, 40 miles north-west of Los Angeles.
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died in the crash, along with seven others.
