“We have lost a member of our family,” rapper says in opening monologue

Feb 13, 2012 09:52 GMT  ·  By

While hosts of other awards galas break the ice with jokes and jabs at fellow stars, LL Cool J had a very huge task on his hands at last night's Grammy Awards 2012. So, he opened the show with a prayer.

As you must already know, singer Whitney Houston died this weekend, just hours before the Grammys.

LL did not want to gloss over such a tragic loss and just continue with the show as if nothing had happened, so he opened the festivities with a prayer for the late diva.

“Heavenly father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. Today our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter and all of her loved ones,” he said, as the entire audience took part in the prayer.

“And although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit, and to have the legacy of her music to cherish and share forever. Amen,” the rapper added.

Above is video of the very beautiful and touching moment.