By Ashleigh Fields
AFRO Assistant Editor
afields@afro.com
Among a class of five esteemed performers, New Jersey natives Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick were honored by the Kennedy Center for lifetime achievement in the arts. The 46th class of inductees also included Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb and Billy Crystal, each eminent influencers of American culture in their own right.
The evening began with a stellar performance from emcee and host Gloria Estefan, who brought in the night with a merengue line, igniting the audience with fever and intensity. Shortly thereafter, legend Gladys Knight and vocalist Chloe Bailey captured the hearts of the crowd as they sang Warwick’s quintessential hits “Walk on By” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
“Dionne, you’ve shown us how to take every challenge with a smile on our face,” said Bailey, adding that the song is “timeless like Dionne Warwick herself.”
Born into musicianship, Warwick’s career spans over six decades and includes over 100 million records sold. The artist was the first Black singer to win a Grammy in the pop category and formerly served as the United States Health Ambassador in 1998 under President Ronald Reagan.
“Scripture tells us God gives each of us gifts…thank the Lord, God gave the gift to us of Dionne Warwick,” President Joe Biden shared at the White House reception for honorees. “You cannot separate the voice from the heart…Her voice and heart make us feel something deep within ourselves.”
Warwick shared how touched she was to receive the distinction of excellence elevating her contributions to the music industry amidst the community of artists across the world.
“It ranks high to be recognized after 62 years by the Kennedy Center. It’s a very prestigious honor but then too is the American Music Awards, then too is the Grammy’s and then too are all of the rewards I call them, not awards,” Warwick told the AFRO. “I think I’ve earned them and I am very pleased that I am finally being recognized.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her,” said fellow honoree Queen Latifah. “Her voice really made me feel like I could sing the way I sing.”
Latifah made history as the first female in hip hop to be recognized during the annual presentation since its culmination in December of 1978.
“It’s important that hip-hop is recognized as a true American art form that should be celebrated in this way,” Latifah shared on the red carpet. “I’m hoping I am only the first of many hip hop artists that get this award and that hip-hop continues to grow from here.”
Critically acclaimed entertainers Rhapsody and MC Lyte took the stage in her honor reciting verses from classics like “U.N.I.T.Y.” and “Just Another Day,” while thespian Kerry Washington paid tribute to her longtime friend recalling the day when Dana Elaine Owens officially crowned herself as Queen Latifah.
“It’s important that hip-hop is recognized as a true American art form that should be celebrated in this way.”
“She flipped through a book of names and chose one as her own: Latifah, an Arabic name meaning gentle, kind and pleasant,” said Washington. “Her greatness demands that you find the royalty in you.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Missy Elliott also acknowledged Latifah for her extensive body of work highlighting memorable moments in her career as a rapper, singer and actress.
“She is queen, but she is ‘mutha,’ with an ‘A.’ She can be easy breezy covergirl, but if you try her she will go to Cleo and ‘set it off’ real quick,” Elliott said. “But what Queen Latifah has taught us is unity, to believe in yourself and to love a black woman from infinity to infinity.”
Those interested can watch the full ceremony presented by CBS on Dec. 27 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT with a recap available on the streaming platform Paramount+.
