The Tony Awards last night saw Jay-Z make a surprise appearance on stage with Alicia Keys, who was performing from Broadway musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, which had been nominated for 13 awards. Keys began with a caterwauling version of her 2009 collaborative single with the rapper, “Empire State of Mind,” alongside the musical’s cast. Strolling along the aisle of the theatre, Keys looked over as a giant screen played a shot of Jay — standing on the stairs of another building’s lobby, delivering his raps from the song. She ran offstage for a moment, gathering her energy, before reappearing when Jay asked if he should leave the stage. They performed the famous duet together, as agreed in a series of cryptic social media posts made earlier in the day, before Keys returned to the stage alone to finish the performance.
In an interview earlier in the day, Keys revealed that the cast would be “bringing all of their passion and fire” to the “spectacular” performance. She said that she was also very eager for the show to commence. To surprise the public on her reunion with Jay-Z, Keys shared an image of two microphones on social media, with an initial “A” inscribed on one in gold and the letter “J” on the other.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’ is described as “an unforgettable new show loosely based on Alicia Keys’ personal experiences, featuring both newly created music and many of her soulful, iconic songs”. According to the official synopsis, the Broadway musical tells the story of a 17-year-old named Ali who is struggling to find her place in New York City’s theatre scene. Her mother, meanwhile, is hell-bent on safeguarding her daughter from making the same errors she did. When Ali falls for a talented young drummer, both mother and daughter will have to face the bitter truth about race, opposition, and maturation; Keys’ music will serve as the backdrop to their story.
Keys wants people to watch the musical to discover how past mistakes influence the future, as the show’s plot forces viewer’s to face the harsh realities of life. Jay-Z’s inclusion in the performance was the icing on the cake and added to the already exemplary package that the musical showcased. In recent news, Keys also performed a duet with Sam Smith on his song, “I’m Not The Only One.
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