Full Breakdown
Lauryn Hill Leads Emotional Tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at the 2026 Grammy Awards
2/3/2026, 6:08:07 AM
Tribute Overview: A Night of Remembrance
At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026, Lauryn Hill delivered a poignant tribute during the "In Memoriam" segment, honoring the late R&B icons D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. The ceremony took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where Hill's performance became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Performance Highlights: A Star-Studded Medley
Hill opened the tribute with "Nothing Even Matters," a duet originally recorded with D’Angelo for her acclaimed 1998 album, *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*. She expressed regret that they never performed the song together live, stating, “Make time for people that you love while you can.” Following her introduction, a series of artists joined her on stage, including Lucky Daye, who performed "Brown Sugar," and Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton, who sang "Lady." The tribute continued with performances of D’Angelo's hits such as "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" by Bilal and "Devil’s Pie" by Leon Thomas.
Transitioning to honor Roberta Flack, Hill performed "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," followed by "Compared to What" with Leon Bridges. The medley featured additional performances of Flack's classics, including "Where Is the Love" by John Legend and Chaka Khan, and concluded with Hill's rendition of "Killing Me Softly," alongside her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean. This final performance seamlessly transitioned into the Fugees' iconic version of the song, eliciting a standing ovation from the audience.
Background on the Honorees: D’Angelo and Roberta Flack
D’Angelo, a pivotal figure in the neo-soul movement, passed away in October 2025 at the age of 51 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His influence on R&B and soul music is profound, with hits like "Brown Sugar" and "Untitled (How Does It Feel)." Roberta Flack, known for her timeless classics such as "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," died in February 2025 at the age of 88 after living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Both artists left a lasting legacy that shaped the musical landscape.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the performances, social media erupted with praise for Hill's tribute. Fans described it as "one of the greatest television moments of the century" and highlighted the emotional impact of the tribute. Hill had previously expressed her admiration for both artists on social media, stating that D’Angelo's "undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world" and that Flack "showed through her own creative choices and standards what else was possible within the idiom of Soul."
Criticism & Opposition
While the tribute was largely celebrated, some critics noted that the emotional weight of the performance overshadowed other segments of the Grammy Awards, which included tributes to various artists who passed away in the previous year.
Conclusion: A Legacy Honored
Lauryn Hill's tribute at the 2026 Grammy Awards not only honored the legacies of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack but also served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of Black music across generations. The performance encapsulated the love and respect Hill holds for these influential artists, marking a significant moment in the history of the Grammy Awards.
