One of the most exciting moments of the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday night (June 16) was when the cast of Hell's Kitchen took the stage to perform a medley of songs from the musical, with Alicia Keys on piano for a rousing rendition of her 2009 hit, “Empire State of Mind.”
Halfway through the show, Keys exits the stage and exits the theater to join Jay-Z in front of the marble staircase outside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center to complete the set together. “We're in New York tonight,” Keys told the crowd as she exited the stage. “I had to do something crazy. It's my hometown!”
While the show was masterfully edited to make it look like Jay-Z's part of the show was live, according to New York Times, it was actually taped. Advertising sign contacted CBS, which aired the awards show, for more information.
Regardless of Jay-Z's taped verse, the performance was met with applause. Hell's Kitchen, the musical based on Keys' life and music, was one of the most nominated productions at this year's Tony Awards with 13 nods. Of those nominations, the series won two awards, with star Maleah Joi Moon — who plays Ali in the musical — taking home Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. In addition, Kecia Lewis, who plays Ali's mentor and piano teacher Miss Liza Jane, won Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical.
If you haven't already, check out Jay-Z and Alicia Key's performance of 'Empire State of Mind' at the 2024 Tony Awards below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/alicia-keys-jay-z-tony-awards-performance-pre-taped-1235712023/
