(Washington) Rapper Queen Latifah and actor Billy Crystal are among the personalities honored on Sunday, in the presence of Joe Biden, by the Kennedy Center which celebrates each year the great names of American culture.
A host of stars from Hollywood and all of Washington will also greet during this gala evening, of which it is the 46e edition, the careers of soul legend Dionne Warwick, soprano Renée Fleming and singer Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bee Gees.
The Kennedy Center honors constitute the most prestigious cultural distinction in the American capital.
Holder of a Grammy, an American music industry award, rap pioneer Queen Latifah made herself known with her first album All Hail the Queen released in 1989, and notably its success Ladies First.
PHOTO KEVIN WOLF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Queen Latifah
This opus paved the way for a thriving career in hip-hop, film and production.
“I am humbled to be included in this incredible list of artists,” said the 53-year-old singer, who has already performed three times on the Kennedy Center stage during ceremonies honoring rapper LL Cool J, singers Tina Turner and Barbra Streisand.
“Exceptional event”
Known for his long comedy career, marked by cinematic successes such as the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally…actor Billy Crystal, 75, echoed the sentiment.
PHOTO KEVIN WOLF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Billy Crystal
“I am extremely happy to be part of this fantastic group of artists,” he said.
“I started playing at the age of five, making my parents and family laugh. These laughters have carried me through my entire life and my entire career. I so wish they could have been at the Kennedy Center for this exceptional event.”
Considered one of the best sopranos in the world, Renée Fleming, 64, has been collaborating with the Kennedy Center for a long time and has already sung on the biggest international stages.
This award adds to an already well-filled list of achievements, the singer already having several Grammys and a title of knight of the Legion of Honor, the highest French honorary decoration.
Dionne Warwick, hit performer like Don’t Make Me Over, Walk On By And I Say a Little Prayerreceived this award at the age of 82, after having attracted a new generation of fans thanks to his wit on social networks.
Disco king Barry Gibb rose to fame with the band Bee Gees, which he formed with his two brothers. Among their greatest successes: the film’s soundtrack Saturday Night Fever with titles like Stayin’Alive or How Deep Is Your Love.
But Barry Gibb, 77, has written more than a thousand songs during his career, like the theme to Grease or Heartbreaker performed by… Dionne Warwick.
“If you’re just in a band and making records, you won’t survive. You will have your moment of glory, and then it’s over,” the artist told his brothers, according to the Washington Post.
“You build a reputation as a songwriter,” he continued, “and then you can live forever if you do it well.”
Singer Gloria Estefan, who received honors from the Kennedy Center in 2017, will host the gala evening for the third time, an edited version of which will be broadcast on the CBS cable channel and the Paramount+ platform on December 27.