Jennifer Lopez performed Motown tribute, and Twitter remained confused
Reports that Jennifer Lopez would perform the Grammys’ Motown tribute during Sunday’s show were met with confusion, anger and skepticism.
Not much changed after her performance.
» Report that Jennifer Lopez will perform Grammys' Motown tribute has Twitter confused
Motown Records was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records in 1959, and incorporated as Motown Record Corp. in 1960.
The label is synonymous with black artists, signing such icons as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
Although the Latina singer defended her decision to perform the bulk of Sunday night’s tribute, the choice rubbed many the wrong way, especially considering this is Black History Month.
"Any type of music can inspire any type of artist... You can't tell people what to love. You can't tell people what they can and can't do — what they should sing or not sing." An emotional Jennifer Lopez responds to her critics backstage after her #GRAMMYs Motown tribute. pic.twitter.com/1dK3OEs9OH
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 11, 2019
Berry Gordy is rolling in his grave - and he's totally alive and well.#GRAMMYs #JLo #MotownTribute #BerryGordy #Grammy2019 #JenniferLopez pic.twitter.com/VhOOQfnpjD
— A.C. Junior (@OfficialMisterC) February 11, 2019
#blacktwitter calling the @RecordingAcad to ask who invited @JLo to do the Motown tribute 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/4e0hHGmV1m
— julian_bates_8907 (@8907Bates) February 11, 2019
Jennifer Lopez = Motown?#grammys pic.twitter.com/uCtLEutT8m
— Belle of the Bull (@DShakota) February 11, 2019
That look you make when you realize the @RecordingAcad asked @JLo to perform a #Motown tribute. I love me some J-Lo but this one left me #SMH pic.twitter.com/SupnnGf9lu
— Melissa B. Sosa (@melsosa224) February 11, 2019
Jennifer Lopez is doing the Motown tribute and when Janelle Monáe is right there and I just don’t understand the creative decision pic.twitter.com/qevBc83ib4
— 𝕚 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣 𝕞𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕖 (@omyj0sh) February 11, 2019
The #Grammys chose Jennifer López (a subpar vocalist who we let side in hip-hop and R&B circles since the 90s), to do a Motown tribute.
— A. Lemon🍋 (@LemonClarkMedia) February 11, 2019
With all the highly capable (Black) soul singers some from the Motown days.
During Black History Month.
Is nothing sacred? pic.twitter.com/xP4GikIioX
Diana Ross is somewhere in the building not singing right now while Jennifer Lopez is doing this
— rob sheffield (@robsheff) February 11, 2019
But Lopez had supporters, too, most notably from Smokey Robinson, who performed with her during the tribute.
THANK YOU! My Girl... @JLo 💛❤️#GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/2IqVrZ8GzA
— Smokey Robinson (@smokeyrobinson) February 11, 2019
After stupid trolls bashed her & spewed their hate all last week. @JLo still performed the #Motown tribute tonight. She took that stage, served spectacular vocals, dancing, costumes, and SOUL! She stole the show. SO PROUD OF HER! #Grammys #ProudJLover😍pic.twitter.com/zqwl4RDLpS
— ✨Brandon Byrd✨ (@brandonbyrd87) February 11, 2019
Great show @JLo amazing #GRAMMYs
— Alejandro Sanz (@AlejandroSanz) February 11, 2019
I was skeptical about J. Lo doing a Motown tribute, but she KILLED IT!!! #JenniferLopez #Grammys
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) February 11, 2019
But, as The AJC's Melissa Ruggieri reported, "the 60th anniversary of Motown will receive a star-filled soiree a couple of days after the Grammy Awards.
“Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration” will tape Feb. 12 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and air on CBS on April 21.
“The live concert will feature Atlanta’s Chloe x Halle, Ciara and Ne-Yo, as well as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Little Big Town, John Legend, Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Brian and Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Thelma Houston, Tori Kelly, Martha Reeves, Meghan Trainor, Valerie Simpson and Pentatonix.”
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About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
