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John Legend (seated at piano) and DJ Khaled perform onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Grammys 2020: Performers Pay Tribute to Nipsey Hussle In Traditional Eritrean Attire

During a Grammy tribute, featuring John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Meek Mill and more, a group of dancers paid homage to the late rapper's Eritrean heritage, by sporting traditional garb.

The 2020 Grammys have been one of great reflection, as various artists and public figures that we've lost recently have received tributes.

One of the artists commemorated tonight was the late Eritrean-American rapper, Nipsey Hussle who was killed in March of last year in his hometown of Los Angeles. His tribute featured performances from artists like John Legend, Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, Kirk Franklin, as well as fellow LA rappers YG and Roddy Rich.

The tribute opened with a heartfelt performance from Meek Mill. Later, during a rendition of their collaboration "Higher," DJ Khaled and John Legend brought out a group of dancers dressed in traditional zurias and other Eritrean attire—a tribute to the late rapper's unique heritage. "I'm half American and half Eritrean—as much as I am a black person from America, I am a black person from Africa too," Nipsey once said in an interview.

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Angelique Kidjo, winner of Best World Music Album for "Celia", poses in the press room during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Angélique Kidjo Dedicated Her 'Best World Music' Grammy to Burna Boy

"The new generation of artists coming from Africa are going to take you by storm, and the time has come" said Kidjo during her acceptance speech.

Angélique Kidjo just picked up the Grammy award for 'Best World Music' for her album 'Celia,' and she used the opportunity to shout out fellow artist Burna Boy, who was also up for the award.

While accepting her award earlier today, the singer took the time to praise the wealth of new talent coming from the continent. "The new generation of artists coming from Africa are going to take you by storm and the time has come."

Though the World Music category remains a dubious one, Burna Boy's nomination was a major milestone for contemporary African music and the significance was not lost on Kidjo. "This is for Burna Boy, [he] is among those young artists [who] came from Africa [who] are changing the way our continent is perceived, and the way African music has been the bed rock for every [type] of music," she remarked.

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