- - Fans praise Lauryn Hill's D'Angelo, Roberta Flack Grammys tribute

Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAYFebruary 3, 2026 at 2:40 AM

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It was the tribute of all tributes for R&B fanatics.

During the in memoriam segment at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, Hill led the tribute to D'Angelo and Roberta Flack.

D'Angelo, whose sound epitomized the neo-soul movement of the '90s, died after a silent battle with cancer at the age of 51 in October, sending shockwaves throughout the music industry.

(L-R) Anthony Hamilton, Lauryn Hill and Lucky Daye perform onstage during the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Flack, who died at 88 years old, was known for hits like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972) and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (1973).

Hill kicked off her emotional set with her duet with D'Angelo. "Nothing Even Matters," a song from her critically acclaimed album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She was accompanied by the late R&B icon's band, The Vanguard.

"D and I never got to do this on stage together," she said. "Make time for people that you love while you can."

Sure, there are awards handed out at the Grammys. But what we really want are the performances! Here are the best performers of 2026, starting with Lady Gaga.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FfF3ngI1oNyTPqnZ5Zko9g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTUz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c23f56cbf4b9d14a5152aeafc9d4bde class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Sure, there are awards handed out at the Grammys. But what we really want are the performances! Here are the best performers of 2026, starting with Lady Gaga.

">Sure, there are awards handed out at the Grammys. But what we really want are the performances! Here are the best performers of 2026, starting with Lady Gaga.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FfF3ngI1oNyTPqnZ5Zko9g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTUz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c23f56cbf4b9d14a5152aeafc9d4bde class=caas-img>Rosé and Bruno Mars perform "APT."

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mFytDEgSLq4lIMrnbe0CxQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTkx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/67a68d7adb653e6181200c9608bb0da6 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Rosé and Bruno Mars perform "APT."

">Rosé and Bruno Mars perform "APT."

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mFytDEgSLq4lIMrnbe0CxQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTkx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/67a68d7adb653e6181200c9608bb0da6 class=caas-img>Sabrina Carpenter performs "Manchild"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fcebvjnlXLP1gn7FWwnfvg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ac9ee2ca1147ecedd3416adbbd29c306 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Sabrina Carpenter performs "Manchild"

">Sabrina Carpenter performs "Manchild"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fcebvjnlXLP1gn7FWwnfvg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ac9ee2ca1147ecedd3416adbbd29c306 class=caas-img>Olivia Dean performs "Man I Need"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VWLRblV4qukGUVI6Yz7mSA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3b7b3182159a9a951b72e549a3b2ade2 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Olivia Dean performs "Man I Need"

">Olivia Dean performs "Man I Need"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VWLRblV4qukGUVI6Yz7mSA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3b7b3182159a9a951b72e549a3b2ade2 class=caas-img>Bruno Mars performs "I Just Might"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_RjsGyBAOR665vpHWWr2Ww--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/57acf47279a18600f414f76910b077fc class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Bruno Mars performs "I Just Might"

">Bruno Mars performs "I Just Might"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_RjsGyBAOR665vpHWWr2Ww--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/57acf47279a18600f414f76910b077fc class=caas-img>Justin Bieber performs "Yukon"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VhqbVAhUDd9VbXeETuVLPQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzgy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a0d27d94712078f172d5910ad013b88 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Justin Bieber performs "Yukon"

">Justin Bieber performs "Yukon"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VhqbVAhUDd9VbXeETuVLPQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzgy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a0d27d94712078f172d5910ad013b88 class=caas-img>Alex Warren performs "Ordinary"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lYpgCSuorJNkz2CiOvhNSQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c16672d6084a60adace810356ca8f10f class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Alex Warren performs "Ordinary"

">Alex Warren performs "Ordinary"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lYpgCSuorJNkz2CiOvhNSQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c16672d6084a60adace810356ca8f10f class=caas-img>Sombr performs "12 to 12"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mAuL5Qnz6CJZph.uh42bqw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/34afb81c7fd2a63655c4234fab584dfc class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Sombr performs "12 to 12"

">Sombr performs "12 to 12"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mAuL5Qnz6CJZph.uh42bqw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/34afb81c7fd2a63655c4234fab584dfc class=caas-img>Leon Thomas performs "Mutt"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Rwa6fMPBNGypd7LAeJVhQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NTA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9f1f03c46a287052f15856deffba4f4f class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Leon Thomas performs "Mutt"

">Leon Thomas performs "Mutt"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Rwa6fMPBNGypd7LAeJVhQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NTA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9f1f03c46a287052f15856deffba4f4f class=caas-img>KATSEYE performs "Gnarly"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/klB9hmIhBymnTYDNb7MNAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/14ac470aec9239d036ab8ef9e269c310 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

KATSEYE performs "Gnarly"

">KATSEYE performs "Gnarly"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/klB9hmIhBymnTYDNb7MNAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/14ac470aec9239d036ab8ef9e269c310 class=caas-img>

" style=padding-bottom:56%>The Marías perform "No One Noticed"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w.ssdOfaNSYo8CI0THYmsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e301d4221c8055585b172a015d11000d class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

The Marías perform "No One Noticed"

">The Marías perform "No One Noticed"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w.ssdOfaNSYo8CI0THYmsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e301d4221c8055585b172a015d11000d class=caas-img>Lola Young performs "Messy"

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kg4JOWApn.hnoKg3XR.khQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e22b5b6d7b4cb8016a623d6cb2a89670 class=caas-img data-headline="See all the Grammys 2026 performances" data-caption="

Lola Young performs "Messy"

">Lola Young performs "Messy"

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kg4JOWApn.hnoKg3XR.khQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e22b5b6d7b4cb8016a623d6cb2a89670 class=caas-img>

1 / 12See all the Grammys 2026 performances

Sure, there are awards handed out at the Grammys. But what we really want are the performances! Here are the best performers of 2026, starting with Lady Gaga.

Grammys:026 Every performer ranked, from Lady Gaga to Sabrina Carpenter

Which other artists performed during the tribute?

(L-R) Raphael Saadiq and Lauryn Hill perform onstage during the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

R&B powerhouse Lucky Daye joined Hill on stage, singing D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar." Then, Raphael Saadiq, Anthony Hamilton, and Leon Thomas teamed up for his hits "Lady" and "Devil's Pie." Bilal flexed his vocal prowess with "Untitled (How Does It Feel)."

Hill also acknowledged the death of D'Angelo's former partner, Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone, who died following a collision last March. A highlight from the Flack section was Hill reuniting with Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean and rocking the crowd with their '96 remake of "Killing Me Softly with His Song."

Other special guests throughout the tribute included Jon Baptiste, October London, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Leon Bridges, Lalah Hathaway, and many more.

The in memoriam segment started with Reba McEntire honoring talent manager and stepson Brandon Blackstock, who died in August, and was followed by an ensemble performance of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" by Post Malone, Slash, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others, to honor Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July.

Social media reacts to Hill's set

(L-R) Anthony Hamilton, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean perform onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Following the award show, fans took to social media to praise the performance.

"Baby now that Lauryn Hill set was worth staying up past my bed time #GRAMMYs," one user wrote.

Another person added: "the D’Angelo & Roberta Flack tribute performance put on by Lauryn Hill and other legends was genuinely one of the most beautiful things i’ve seen man. im speechless man."

"That Lauryn Hill performance is one of the greatest television moments of the century. I was standing and screaming. Incredible," an X user stated.

Contributing: Edward Segarra, Melissa Ruggieri, Taijuan Moorman USA TODAY

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lauryn Hill performs moving D'Angelo, Roberta Flack tribute at Grammys

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