The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is set to be a night full of amazing performances, and one that has fans buzzing with excitement is the tribute segment honoring late music icons D'Angelo and Roberta Flack. The Recording Academy has just announced that Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Lauryn Hill, who was also a member of the Fugees, will be taking the stage to pay tribute to these legends during the "In Memoriam" portion of the show.
Fans may be surprised by this choice, as Hill is known for her reputation of arriving late and canceling shows frequently. Her fans have even turned it into a running joke. However, upon further consideration, the Recording Academy's decision seems fitting. After all, both Flack and D'Angelo played significant roles in Hill's rise to stardom. In fact, Hill made history as the first Black woman and hip-hop artist to win the coveted Album of the Year Award, thanks to the contributions of Flack and D'Angelo.
During her time with the Fugees, the group covered Flack's beloved R&B song "Killing Me Softly With His Song," turning it into a hit and showcasing Hill's incredible talent. Similarly, D'Angelo, a master pianist and sultry singer, also played a crucial role in Hill's success. Their duet on "Nothing Even Matters" from Hill's album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" proved that she could hold her own with the musical genius that is D'Angelo.
It's not just Hill who will be representing Black artists at the Grammys this year. Other nominees include SZA, Clipse, Doechii, and Leon Thomas, with the Recording Academy confirming that all Best New Artist nominees will also be performing during the broadcast. This includes the talented Leon Thomas, who, at a young age, is among the youngest Black artists to grace the Grammy stage this year.
In addition to all the amazing performances, another highlight of the night will be the Recording Academy's decision to honor Brandy with the prestigious Black Music Icon Award. This is an incredible achievement for Brandy and a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to the music industry. With all of these exciting announcements, it's clear that the 2026 Grammy Awards will be a night to remember for both the artists and fans.
