Music Stars Remember Kobe Bryant at the Grammys Hours After He & Daughter Died in Helicopter Crash

Celebrities are paying tribute to Kobe Bryant at the 2020 Grammy Awards hours after he and his daughter Gianna, 13, died in a helicopter crash.

At the beginning of E!’s red carpet show on Sunday, hosts Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic honored the retired NBA legend, 41. While standing in the Staples Center, where Bryant used to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, Seacrest said: “We are starting the show on a very somber note. We want to take a moment to say we are deeply saddened by the passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the others aboard the helicopter which tragically crashed today in Calabasas, California.”

“Kobe … was one of the greatest basketball players and greatest athletes to ever live. His loss will be felt even more deeply tonight at a place he considered home — this, the Staples Center,” Seacrest continued. “We’re sending our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, and the family he left behind. His absence will be felt by so many people that he touched.”

Rancic also expressed her condolences: “As a mother, as a wife, as a human, my heart goes out to Vanessa and their family tonight, first and foremost.”

Be sure to check out PEOPLE’s full Grammy Awards coverage to get the latest news on music’s biggest night.

Seacrest then said he and Rancic received the “unthinkable” news this morning. “This is a man in a family that we’ve gotten to know over the years. We’ve seen him play here before. He was on the phone with me a few months ago talking about the love of being a father, talking about his daughters so pridefully, and I think that so many artists here tonight will be thinking about this, and wanting to share their stories.”

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While speaking with PEOPLE on the red carpet ahead of the Grammys, Wycleff Jean said he was still trying to “process” the news.

“You feel like a hammer hit your heart. This is someone personally I’ve known and spoken to on the phone. You meet this guy and he’s the most incredible, nicest teddy bear. An example to all of us — an idea of how you’re supposed to be with your family and how you’re supposed to be with your kids,” he said. “There’s really no words for it.”

RELATED VIDEO: Wycleff Jean Calls Kobe Bryant The ‘Most Incredible, Nicest Teddy Bear’ and An ‘Example To All Of Us’

Diplo also told E! he “didn’t believe” the news at first.

“He was so young,” the singer said. “My age, 41. And he had so much more to do. To be here at Staples right now, and to look up. We see his jersey up there. Just feel the energy because we do the Grammys right here but you know, 82 games a year they’re playing in the stadium. Kobe brought this energy to Los Angeles for 20 years.”

Smokey Robinson gave Seacrest a hug on the red carpet before discussing his feelings about Bryant’s death, adding that it was a “very solemn day,” but he hoped people will still celebrate music through the evening.

“I hate that it had to happen on a day when we are celebrating music and all of that,” Robinson said. “It’s horrible. I know it’s going to be somber, but I just want us to celebrate. that’s what we had planned before any of this happened and this kind of put a damper on it.”

Rapper Rick Ross remembered Bryant, whom he said he crossed paths with several times before: ““A couple times we came across each other, it was real short and brief,” the “Gold Roses” artist told PEOPLETV. “I got the opportunity to let him know I was a fan of his career – he did the same.”

“I just feel like as a true champion, the champion Kobe was, I believe he would want us to celebrate his legacy, starting with the night, and whoever get on that stage, whoever bring one of those home, they gotta hold it up for the black mamba,” Ross continued.

Rapper YBN Cordae opened up to PEOPLE about learning of the NBA superstar’s passing, calling his death “a complete tragedy.”

“It’s just a complete tragedy, man. That’s all you can use to describe it,” he said. “Rest in peace to his daughter. It’s a complete tragedy.”

TMZ first reported that Bryant and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning. They had reportedly been headed to a youth basketball game.

On Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby and other authorities held a news conference to address the crash, announcing that nine victims, including the pilot and eight others, died in the crash.

“All survivors were determined to have been perished,” Osby said.

Bryant and GIanna are survived by Vanessa, Bryant’s 37-year-old wife, and their daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months.

Throughout the day, stars mourned the loss of the five-time NBA champion and his daughter on social media.

Ahead of the awards show, singer John Legend tweeted: “I’m so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe.”

“This can’t be real there’s no way!!! My heart hurts,” Khloé Kardashian shared on Twitter.

“Nooooooooooo God please No!,” fellow retired basketball player Dwyane Wade shared after hearing the news.

Rapper A$AP Rocky tweeted, “RIP KOBE , SO SAD , SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS , WE LOVE U,” while NFL star JJ Watt shared, “Can’t be true. Just can’t be. Truly truly horrific. Rest In Peace Kobe.”

RELATED: Kobe Bryant Honored LeBron James in Final Social Media Post Before He Was Killed in Plane Crash

PeopleTV’s PEOPLE Now host Jeremy Parsons, PEOPLE Senior Editor Janine Rubenstein and Entertainment Weekly Senior News Editor Gerrad Hall are co-hosting a live red carpet pre-show ahead of the awards ceremony. Catch the full livestream above at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT or on PEOPLE’s Facebook and Twitter pages. You can also watch on the PeopleTV app, available on all of your favorite streaming devices.

Tune into the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.