Established 1961 30 T Monday, January 29, 2018 L i f e s t y l e Music & Movies

American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson performs during Recording artists Beyonc and Jennifer Hudson attend the Clive the traditional Clive Davis party. Davis party.

n the night before the Grammy awards, Jay-Z took the stage at a New York dinner attended by music indus- Otry titans to discuss his complex relationship with American rapper and businessman, Shawn Corey Carter, known music’s highest honors, where the odds are historically professionally as JAY-Z, acknowledges his Industry Icon award stacked against hip-hop artists winning top accolades. Jay-Z, during the traditional Clive Davis party on the eve of the 60th who was honored by the Recording Academy at veteran Rapper Khalid performs during the traditional Clive Davis party. Annual Grammy Awards in New York. — AFP photos music producer Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party on Saturday, spoke about his decision to boycott the Grammy awards in 1998 when rapper DMX did not get any nomina- tions despite having two hit albums out that year. Jay-Z said he only returned to the awards show in 2004, when Beyonce, to whom he is now married, was nominated for her breakout solo album. “The Academy, they’re human like we are and they’re voting on things that they like, it’s subjective ... we care because we’re seeing the most incredi- ble artists standing on that stage and we aspire to be there, American singer-songwriter, arranger, musician and producer so I was like, I have to be here,” the rapper said. “It’s our with a career who has spanned more than 50 years, Barry duty to make sure that not only are we making the greatest Manilow, performs on stage. art, that we’re upholding and supporting things that are scathingly detailed by Beyonce in 2016’s “Lemonade,” as well super real,” he added. as searing commentary on race in America. The rapper has Jay-Z, 48, went into yesterday’s Grammy awards with a won 21 Grammy awards over his career. leading eight nominations for his emotional, soul-baring In 60 years of the Grammys, only two hip-hop albums album “4:44,” in which he examine the infidelity that was so have ever won album of the year; Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1999 and Outkast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” in 2004. Brooklyn native Singer John Legend (right) and Model Chrissy Teigen. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, made his breakout with 1996’s “Reasonable Doubt” and has become one of the best- selling US musicians and respected rap lyricists. He was honored on Saturday for not only reshaping rap over his career but also as an entrepreneur, including reshaping the Rapper Logic performs during the traditional Clive Davis party. music business with his streaming service Tidal. Singer Alicia Keys said Jay- Z’s music was “the sound- track to my life” growing up and she sang a medley of his hits including “Hard Knock Life,” “Encore” and their Chinese New York anthem, “Empire concert Puerto Rican Singer Luis Fonsi performs his song “Despacito”. State of Mind.” — Reuters pianist Lang Lang.

Singer and model Cassie Ventura. Cuban-American singer and Broadway singer Ben Platt performs on stage. Rap group Migos performs on stage. songwriter Camilla Cabello.

Singer Pink arrives for the traditional Albanian singer and actress Bleona. American rap mogul also known as American broadcast journalist and television host American hip hop recording artist and DJ, Clive Davis party. Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puff, Puffy and . Tamran Hall arrives for the traditional Clive Davis party. Grandmaster Flash.

American singer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, Alicia Keys performs. Gladys Knight, known as the “Empress of Soul”, performs on stage. American actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr performs on stage.