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'SNL': Mr. Hudson joins Jay-Z, Bridget Kelly sings 'Empire'
Although Betty White commands her "Saturday Night Live" episode, Jay-Z holds his own as musical guest, which isn't bad for a whippersnapper.Jay-Z's first set is purely for the fans. We didn't know what to expect, but the medley just goes on and on.
He starts with "Public Service Announcement," then goes to "On to the Next One," "99 Problems," "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" and finishes with "Empire State of Mind."
It's this last song, which is always such a treat to hear performed live because of the soaring vocals, that gets the most attention because the lady who accompanies Jay-Z is most assuredly not Alicia Keys. At the time, the Twitter communitywas excited about Jay-Z, most saying he "killed it" on the "SNL," but just as many asking who the chick was.
The funniest tweet: "I was so happy to see Jay-Z did empire state of mind...but alicia keys was looking pretty weird and asian."
That's not Alicia Keys, but Bridget Kelly. She's a New Yorker who's been doing "Empire State of Mind" with Jay-Z on the road, including Coachella. Her musical influences have been Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, so we can see why she controls her pipes so well.
Later, Jay-Z comes back for one more song, a cover of "Forever Young" with someone calls Mr. Hudson. Who? At first we just thought Betty White was getting formal on us when introducing the act, but nope, that's the stage name of Benjamin Hudson McIldowie a British R&B/pop artist.
We're digging it, and Jay-Z so made us say "aww" when he dedicated the song to "the most incredible Betty White."
How did you like Hov? Which was your favorite performance?
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i would rather have just seen all betty white and no musical guest.
I would rather have seen all Betty and no musical guest.
I love Betty White! My Favorite Golden Girl! Kudos to Mr. Hudson and Jay-Z
I don't like Jay-Z, never have, likely never will. Betty White was amazing though. When I heard Jay-Z second song though I was entranced by who I now know is Mr Hudson. Something about him caught my attention. I've since managed to google him, watch several videos and download his first album. Jay-Z may suck, but I give him credit for finding some new talent to perform with that has some pretty great musical chops of his own. (But what was up with those high water pants he was wearing?)
Kanye West worked with Mr. Hudson on a few songs prior to Jay-z.
I could care less about Jay-Z as I view all rap as crap! It would have been better to have had a crooner-type (e.g Michael Buble) with Betty White as the host. Jay-Z and Betty White are at the total opposite ends of the entertainment spectrum. Having him on the show was like a total "DIS" to the highly respectable Ms. White. Shame on you SNL!
This posting is in response to the posting from 'keithge' Betty White was giving the option to pick who SHE wanted as HER musical guest and SHE picked Jay-Z, come to find out she is a big fan. So there was no "DIS" to the highly respectable Ms. White. Everything was done to her requests months ago.
hey dumbass keithge...Betty White ASKED Jay Z herself to be the musical guest
Jay-Z was great and I'm not a rap fan but I sat through his whole performance, captivated. He was the perfect compliment to Betty on one of the best SNLs ever.
you people are crazy jay z is great . i know it made the show better because he is mr new york myself