The 2026 Grammys witnessed a moment that will be etched in music history forever as the legendary Fugees reunited for the first time in over two decades, delivering a breathtaking In Memoriam tribute that left the audience in tears and on their feet.
Following a high-energy rock tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean took the stage to honor two soul icons lost in 2025: the incomparable D'Angelo and the legendary Roberta Flack. What unfolded was not just a performance, but a spiritual experience that spanned generations of R&B and soul.
Hill, commanding the stage in a dramatic gown and signature sunglasses, served as both performer and master of ceremonies. In a poignant revelation, she shared that she and D'Angelo—who collaborated on her classic "Nothing Even Matters"—never performed it live together, making this tribute particularly heartbreaking and historic.
Lauryn Hill leads an all-star tribute featuring Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Raphael Saadiq, and more at the 2026 Grammys. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty
The tribute unfolded like a carefully curated journey through D'Angelo's catalog. Lucky Daye delivered a soul-stirring rendition of "Brown Sugar," while Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton—both collaborators with D'Angelo—brought raw emotion to "Lady." Leon Thomas channeled the darkness of "Devil's Pie," and Bilal and Jon Batiste's performance of "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" and "Africa" had the entire arena holding its breath.
As the focus shifted to Roberta Flack, the stage transformed into a celebration of timeless classics. Batiste returned to join Hill for a hauntingly beautiful "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," while Leon Bridges and Alexia Jayy brought modern flair to "Compared to What." The emotional peak came when Lalah Hathaway—daughter of Donny Hathaway—and October London performed "Closer I Get to You," a duet originally sung by Flack and Donny Hathaway.
The tribute crescendoed with John Legend and Chaka Khan electrifying the crowd with "Where is the Love," followed by Hill's powerful solo of "Feel Like Makin' Love"—a song both Flack and D'Angelo made iconic. Then, in the moment everyone had been waiting for, Hill welcomed Wyclef Jean to the stage for a spine-tingling performance of "Killing Me Softly with His Song," the Fugees' signature hit that sampled Flack's original. The chemistry between Hill and Jean—absent from stages for over 20 years—was palpable, bringing the audience to its feet in a thunderous standing ovation.
D'Angelo's passing at 51 after a private battle with pancreatic cancer sent shockwaves through the music world, with tributes pouring in from Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, and Hill herself, who called his talent "not of this world." Flack's death at 88, following an ALS diagnosis, marked the end of an era for soul music, inspiring heartfelt homages from artists like Jennifer Hudson, who hailed her as "the voice of a generation."
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