The 2024 Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday featured heartfelt tributes to several music icons during the In Memoriam segment. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Fantasia Barrino, and Jon Batiste took to the stage to honor the legacies of Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Sinead O'Connor, Clarence Avant, and others. However, Harry Belafonte, a legendary singer who passed away in April 2023, was not given a special tribute, much to the disappointment of his daughters, Shari and Gina.
Shari and Gina Belafonte expressed their dismay on social media, calling out the Grammys for not recognizing their father in a manner similar to the tributes for other artists. Shari took to Facebook and expressed her astonishment, stating that she was 'appalled' by the decision. She highlighted her father's achievements, including being the first recipient of a platinum record and the first Black man to win an Emmy. Shari also emphasized that Harry Belafonte played a pivotal role in creating the iconic song 'We Are The World.' In her opinion, Belafonte's contributions to society and the music industry far surpassed those of Tony Bennett and Tina Turner, who did receive special tributes at the event.
