The 68th Grammy Awards, held Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was not only a showcase for the hits of the moment, but a shrine to the legends who defined the sound of generations.
In a year marked by profound losses for the music industry, the Recording Academy orchestrated tributes that accomplished something difficult in modern television: capturing the pure essence of the legacy of those who are gone. Here’s your tally of tributes at the 2026 Grammys.
War Pigs’ Roar for the Prince of Darkness
Post Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Chad Smith pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with a performance of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” at the #Grammys.
pic.twitter.com/14mbmAu08A– Popped🍿| Film and TV News (@PoppedNews). February 2, 2026
The most electrifying moment of the evening came with the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025 from a heart attack.
The rock community came together to bid farewell to the “Prince of Darkness” with a powerhouse that shook the venue.
Slash and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) provided the heavy, mystical foundation, accompanied by the explosive drumming of Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
The surprise of the night was the participation of Post Malone, who together with producer Andrew Watt, showed why Ozzy considered him one of his spiritual heirs in the new generation.
The performance of ‘War Pigs’ not only recalled Osbourne’s talent, but his impact on popular culture, uniting old-school Latin fans of heavy metal with new global audiences.
Lauryn Hill and the rebirth of The Fugees by Roberta Flack
Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean perform “Killing Me Softly” in tribute to Roberta Flack at the 2026 #GRAMMY awards pic.twitter.com/jXJIgAzzkU
– XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 2, 2026
The tone of the night changed from euphoria to deep nostalgia when Lauryn Hill took the stage.
Hill, who has always cited Roberta Flack as one of his greatest influences, led a masterful tribute to the ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ performer.
Flack passed away on February 24, 2025 after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The emotional climax occurred when Hill reunited with fellow The Fugees member Wyclef Jean to perform ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’.
For U.S. Hispanic audiences, this song is an anthem that transcends borders, and hearing it live in this context was a reminder of the power of black music and its fusion with global rhythms.
They were joined by John Legend and Chaka Khan, who delivered an impeccable version of ‘Where Is The Love’.
Farewell to D’Angelo and In Memoriam
This D’Angelo and Roberta Flack tribute led by Lauryn Hill is how the #GRAMMY producers should have done Prince’s, Michael Jackson’s, Aretha Franklin’s, Luther Vandross’ and Whitney Houston’s tributes – the right singers in their style and subgenre #GRAMMYs2026 #grammys pic.twitter.com/buVc9Do8ik
– The G-Listed (@theglisted) February 2, 2026
The gala also dedicated a solemn space to D’Angelo, the architect of neo-soul who left us on October 14, 2025 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Jon Batiste moved with ‘Africa’, while Lucky Daye brought the groove back with ‘Brown Sugar’, celebrating a life that, though short, changed the course of contemporary R&B.
Finally, the In Memoriam segment was one of the most extensive in recent years.
With the participation of country legend Reba McEntire, who performed ‘Trailblazer’, the Academy honored the memory of giants such as Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) and Ace Frehley (Kiss).
For our community, this segment is vital because it recognizes that the music we hear when we come to this country, or the music we inherit from our parents, is the universal language that keeps us connected.
Key data for QuéOnnda readers:
Ozzy Osbourne: Passed away on July 22, 2025 (76 years old).
Roberta Flack: Died February 24, 2025 (88 years old).
D’Angelo: Died October 14, 2025 (age 51).
Filed under: Grammy Tributes 2026
