The 2020 Grammys kicked off the new year by celebrating music, and honoring some of the best artists out right now. From iconic outfits to emotional tributes to smashing performances, the show was nothing short of spectacular. While there were a number of incredible performances from the show, here is my list of the top five performances that night!
5. Lil Nas X
His performance was undeniably one of the most entertaining and full of feel-good vibes. “Old Town Road,” one of the top songs in 2019, was showcased through its many remixes during the performance. What started out as Lil Nas X simply singing his single in a living room setup, it suddenly turned into a collaboration with famous K-pop band BTS, Mason Ramsey, and Billy Ray Cyrus. What an unlikely group that nonetheless rocked the stage and entertained millions!
4. Alicia Keys
Keys beautifully paid homage to the late NBA great, Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven other victims, who tragically passed that morning in a helicopter crash. It was hard to focus on the Grammys due to this sudden tragedy, but Keys touched our hearts with an acapella version of Boyz II Men’s “It’s so hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” alongside the actual members of the group. The four singers created a perfect tribute that touched hearts and made many shed some tears.
3. Billie Eilish
This list would not be complete without mentioning the girl who swept the Grammys. Prior to her huge wins, she dialed down the energetic pace of the night with a soft performance of her own. She sung a stripped-down version of her song, “When the Party’s Over,” alongside her brother and partner in music, Finneas. She effortlessly showcased her beautiful vocals and talent, showing everyone why she deserved to win all five of her awards.
2. Demi Lovato
It is safe to say that not many were braver than Demi Lovato, who stepped out on stage and gave a strong performance for the first time since her drug overdose in 2018. She performed her new song, “Anyone,” that she wrote four days prior to her overdose. It was apparent that the performance was extremely overwhelming for Lovato, as she initially choked up, but then powerfully restarted her song with tears. She showcased her beautiful talent and one-of-a-kind vocals, and was celebrated with a standing ovation from the audience. The performance was clearly a sneak peek of what is to come from the incredible singer.
1. Tyler, the Creator
Those who know Tyler know he is guaranteed to put on quite the show when he steps on a stage, and he did just that at the Grammys. The singer, dressed in his iconic blonde wig and pink suit, began his performance with an acapella version of his song, “Earfquake,” alongside Boyz II Men and Charlie Wilson. This soft performance did not last long as expected, as he followed with a high energy performance of his song, “New Magic Wand.” Beginning with screaming in the microphone, he set the ecstatic tone for his performance and jumped all around the stage. The performance was lit up with fire in the background, and the camera shook with Tyler’s every move as well as his dancers who were also dressed like him. This was truly a creative vision of Tyler’s come to life, and the Grammys would not have been as memorable without this outstanding performance!
These five performances really embody the wide range of emotions felt throughout the entire show. With some performances being heart wrenching and some being overly exciting, it is apparent how unforgettable the 2020 Grammys were! The bar has been set high, and I cannot wait to see how next year’s show compares to this one, which will certainly be a hard task!