Inside Clive Davis Pre-Grammy® Gala
January 27, 2018 (New York, NY)
By Hasan James
If you are in the entertainment industry, you know that the event to be at is Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala. For the past 15 years, the event took place in L.A., however, this year the 60th Annual Grammy® Awards came back to the Empire State.
(From Left to Right) Clive Davis, Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson and Barry Manilow
Speaking of the Empire State, rapper Jay Z, was honored with a special award by the Grammys and Clive Davis for his contribution to the music industry, an industry that he has been apart of for 22 years and counting. Root Magazine was on hand to witness one of music’s most coveted events and it was an amazing night to say the least.
Legend, Barry Manilow started the show with the appropriate “New York Medley”, while the ever so popular Luis Fonsi kept the party going with his massive hit “Despacito”. It was Hip-Hop trio, Migos, that got the crowd of well over 1,000 to their feet with their smash top ten hit “Bad and Boujee.”
15 time Grammy® winner, Alicia Keys, surprised Jay Z with a medley of hit songs “Alicia Keys style” and the crowd went wild! Right from her piano, the fellow New York native performed some of Jay’s biggest hits like “Izzo”, “Holy Grail,” “Hard Knock Life,” “Run This Town,” “Empire State of Mind,” “Give It To Me” and more.
Jay Z poses with fellow New Yorker, Alicia Keys. Fun Fact: Between the two of them, they have 36 Grammy® Awards.
The legend herself, Gladys Knight, looked and sounded amazing at the tender age of 73, as she sung her signature song “Midnight Train to Georgia” and Academy winner Jennifer Hudson did not disappoint as she did an amazing tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who Davis signed to Arista in 1982. It was also announced at the gala that Hudson will portray the queen of soul in s forthcoming biopic.
Guests included the likes of Gayle King, Hoda Kotb, Kathy Lee Gifford, CC Sabathia, Beyoncé, Chris Bosh, DJ Khaled, Martha Stewart, Jamie Foxx, Katie Holmes, Cardi B, Anthony Hamilton, Diddy, T.I., Swizz Beats, Quincy Jones, Rob Reiner, Starbucks CEO, Kevin Johnson, CBS CEO, Leslie Moonves, Julie Chen, Lee Daniels, Faith Evans, Tony Danza, Jimmy Jam and many more celebrities the world over.
One thing is for sure, Clive Davis definitely knows how to throw a party!
The Bronx was in the house! rapper Remy Ma looked flawless in a black gown.
Root Magazine’s Manager, Shawn Gibbs, shares a moment with “The Queen” of music, Beyoncé.
Root Magazine Publisher, Hasan James and Nick Jonas
Hasan James and Grammy® President Neil Portnow.
Great staff Sonny