British singer-songwriter Ray joined pop superstars Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson in a star-studded special celebrating the 50th anniversary of the American Music Awards (AMAs).
The two-hour program, which aired on the US network CBS, included a medley by rappers Nelly, Chingy and Jay Kwon, hip-hop group Saint Lunatics, and Chaka Khan.
The feature featured highlights from ceremonies over the years, as well as performances by Nile Rodgers, Gladys Knight and Green Day.
Among the star-studded performances was London-born Ray, whose chart-topping debut album, My 21st Century Blues, saw him enjoy back-to-back successes.
She performed a tribute to the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown after the American Music Award of Merit retrospective, which Brown won, and performed a rendition of his song “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s.”・It seemed like they were singing “World.”
After singing the lyric “But without women, we’re nothing,” Ray added, “And I think it’s really important to remember that, just to say,” before adding, “Or women.” ” finished the lyrics.
The 26-year-old made history with Blitz earlier this year, winning six awards, including Album of the Year, the most for an artist in a year.
She later won Songwriter of the Year at the 2024 Ivor Novellos.
Her performance followed US superstar Carey, who appeared on stage through a pink M to kick off the anniversary celebrations for her 2005 album The Emancipation Of Mimi.
She sang “We Belong Together” and concluded her performance by telling the audience, “I love you.”
This came just over a month after she announced the deaths of her mother and sister in a “tragic event” on the same day.
Meanwhile, Hudson performed a touching tribute to her “hero” Whitney Houston at the 21st annual awards ceremony, honoring the 1994 American Music Awards (AMAs) medley. The Bodyguard soundtrack won eight awards.
Hudson performed “I Will Always Love You” from The Bodyguard wearing a black dress similar to Houston’s, and also sang “I Loves You, Porgy” in star’s honor. Just like Houston did with his AMAs medley in 1994.
Of Hudson, Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson said: “Thirty years ago, Whitney Houston won eight of her 22 American Music Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“That same night, Whitney gave perhaps the show’s most iconic performance ever. The stunning medley she sang that night began with the songs from ‘Porgy and Bess,’ a worldwide hit. It ended with the hit soundtrack of “The Bodyguard.”
“What an incredible moment in the history of the American Music Awards and in the life of the late Whitney Houston.”
“One of the millions of music lovers watching the AMAs that night in 1994 was a 12-year-old young Chicago woman named Jennifer. She was so inspired by Whitney that she spoke out on her own. I have come to believe that I will be able to do it someday.
Other performances included Rodgers and Thicke performing “Le Freak” before performing Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” and Green Day performing in 2024 to celebrate rock music history at the AMAs. They performed their hit song “Dilemma.”
Knight, who performed at the first AMA in 1974, returned to the stage in a sparkling black jumpsuit to perform “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Meanwhile, Nelly, Chingy, Jay Kwon, and the hip-hop group St. Lunatics also released songs such as “Ride Wit Me,” “What Da Hook Gon Be,” “Right Saul,” and “Hot in Here.” They performed a medley of hit songs.
K-pop band Stray Kids also honored their “boy band legacy” at the ceremony, presenting NSYNC’s “No Strings Attached” 2000 album cover (featuring band members riding doll strings) during their on-stage performance. Reproduced.
The final performance was by Chaka Khan and Sheila E and I’m Every Woman, celebrating 50 years of achievements by female artists at the AMAs.
Star presenters included actress Kate Hudson, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, and soul singer Smokey Robinson, who hosted the first AMA.
The ceremony was conceived by veteran producer Dick Clark as a fan-driven alternative to the Grammy Awards.
The last AMAs aired in 2022, and Taylor Swift won six times, including artist of the year.
The annual AMA ceremony will resume in May 2025.