Alicia Keys and Jay-Z Surprise Tony Awards 2024

The 2024 Tony Awards were electrified by a surprise performance from Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, who delivered their iconic hit “Empire State of Mind.” The duo last performed the song together in 2016. The event, hosted by Ariana DeBose, was held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Alicia Keys, dressed in a black top with an oversized Gucci coat and gold jewelry, descended the stairs, announcing, “We at the Tony Awards tonight. Had to do something crazy.” She walked through the audience as dancers from the musical Hell’s Kitchen performed on stage. Jay-Z appeared on a large screen backdrop, rapping from the lobby outside the venue, before Keys joined him for their powerful duet.

“Empire State of Mind” originally appeared on Jay-Z’s 2009 album, The Blueprint 3, and is featured in Keys’ semi-autobiographical musical, Hell’s Kitchen, which received 13 Tony nominations. Although Hell’s Kitchen did not win Best Musical, its star Maleah Joi Moon won Best Lead Actress in a Musical, and Kecia Lewis won Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

Source: BET