At the 2019 Grammy Awards , Jennifer Lopez took to stage to pay a tribute to American record label Motown. With a medley of huge Motown classics, she put up a dramatic performance in a duet with Smokey Robinson and Alicia Keys. The actress and singer pulled off impressive costume changes during her performance. Robinson was the founder and front man of The Miracles, the vocal group that came to define Motown’s sound. However, any Motown fans were not pleased and wondered why the Academy would honour the legendary record label with Lopez instead of a black artist, particularly during Black History Month.
No shade, JLo is truly a great artist, but let's be real, this wasn't her performance to give. Plenty of other black artists could have been given this platform and moment and we need to acknowledge that. #GRAMMYs
— Pero Like (@BFPeroLike) February 11, 2019
Fans suggested the likes of Gladys Knight, Beyoncé, or Jennifer Hudson to do the tribute.
Dear #GRAMMYs Out of Anita, Beyonce, Lalah, India, Kelly Rowland, Latoya, Keyshia, Mary, Rihanna, Toni, Mariah, Monica, Brandy, Jill, Thee Diana, Faith, Patti, Gladys, Jennifer Hud, Jasmine Sullivan, Fantasia, Tamar, Kelly Price you get Jennifer Lopez to do Motown? Insulting. pic.twitter.com/Fs0xaN96lO
— Blacq*Beauti (@2speak_easy) February 6, 2019
Still don’t understand what business Jennifer Lopez has performing a Motown tribute 🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/PhcXK6RdtO
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) February 11, 2019
Grammys: Jennifer Lopez is going to do a Motown tribute
— Joshua Chenault (@joshuachenault1) February 5, 2019
Literally every female soul singer: pic.twitter.com/Flr2JFrkdG
While talking to Variety, Robinson defended Lopez and said “Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?” Motown was music for everybody. Everybody,” he repeated.


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