Diana Ross makes surprise Grammys appearance, gives Kendrick Lamar trophy for 'Not Like Us'

Music royalty was in no short supply at Sunday night's Grammy Awards.

Pillars of the rap genre like Dr. Dre and Queen Latifah were featured, as was the siren of soul herself: Diana Ross.

Ross took to the stage to present the award for song of the year − one of the night's most coveted prizes. In a glamorous getup from Dolce & Gabbana with a white tulle cape over a dress with shining silver discs reminiscent of her '70s ensembles, Ross delivered inspirational words to a city in mourning.

The Grammys took place in Los Angeles, which has been ravaged by wildfires in recent weeks, leading the Recording Academy to pivot focus to a more benefit-concert-like format.

"May this moment remind us all of the power we hold," Ross told audiences, some of whom wore blue pins in support of MusiCares relief efforts in the wake of the fires.

"Even in the darkness we can rise again and keep the light of hope and love alive," the ex-Supremes songstress said.

The award went to Kendrick Lamar for "Not Like Us," a track widely thought of as the winning move in a public feud with fellow rapper Drake. Lamar, a Los Angeles native, had a big night, also taking home the award for record of the year.

The fires loomed heavy over the evening as several performances paid tribute to the city and the frontline workers who battled to save it.

In a particularly stirring performance, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, who recently collaborated on the hit single "Die With A Smile," covered the classic Golden State anthem "California Dreamin'."

The performance followed a video detailing the destructive blazes and the structures lost. Harrowing footage demonstrated out-of-control flames and families heartbroken over the homes and schools left in ashes.

The evening also began with a rendition of Randy Newman's ballad to the City of Angels "I Love L.A." It was performed by Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith, who was joined onstage by bandmate and brother Griffin Goldsmith, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, Brittany Howard and Brad Paisley.

The Goldsmith brothers had never attended the Grammys in the band's 15-plus-year history, but have found themselves as real-world examples of how the Los Angeles wildfire destruction hit the music community, having lost their homes and studio last month.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diana Ross surprises at Grammys, Kendrick Lamar wins category