Alicia Keys and Jay-Z are set to light up the stage at the 77th Annual Tony Awards tonight with a performance of their iconic hit “Empire State of Mind.” The event, taking place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, promises to be a memorable night for Broadway enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
The performance is scheduled to air live from 8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT on CBS. For those who prefer streaming, the show will be available on Paramount+ in the U.S., both live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, and on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs.
“Empire State of Mind,” a track from Jay-Z’s 2009 album “The Blueprint 3,” has become an anthem for New York City. The song is also featured in the Tony-nominated musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” which is loosely based on Alicia Keys’ early life and music. The musical is vying for 13 awards at this year’s ceremony, making it one of the most nominated shows of the night.
As the night unfolds, Alicia Keys will make a grand entrance, walking down a set of stairs from the stage at the David H. Koch Theater. “We at the Tony Awards tonight,” she will announce, adding, “Had to do something crazy. It’s my hometown.” As she makes her way through the audience, dancers will perform on stage, setting the scene for Jay-Z’s appearance. The rapper will be seen on a large screen backdrop, rapping from the lobby outside the venue, before joining Keys for a live performance of their hit song.
“Empire State of Mind” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks upon its release and won two Grammy Awards the following year for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The song’s inclusion in “Hell’s Kitchen” adds another layer of significance to tonight’s performance.
“Hell’s Kitchen” is a musical that draws inspiration from Alicia Keys’ upbringing in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The show features a mix of her greatest hits and new songs written specifically for the musical. It has received 13 Tony nominations, tying with “Stereophonic,” a musical loosely based on the story of Fleetwood Mac, for the most nominations this year.
The nominations for “Hell’s Kitchen” include Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Kristoffer Diaz, Best Direction for Michael Greif, and Best Choreography for Camille A. Brown. The musical’s stars, Maleah Joi Moon, Shoshana Bean, and Kecia Lewis, have also received acting nods. However, Alicia Keys herself is not nominated for Best Original Score.
The anticipation for tonight’s performance is palpable. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have a history of electrifying live performances of “Empire State of Mind.” Their first performance of the song together was at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall. They have since performed it at various iconic venues, including Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden.
Tonight’s performance at the Tony Awards is expected to be a highlight of the evening. The song serves as the finale in “Hell’s Kitchen,” bringing the musical full circle. Keys, 43, will take the stage at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater to perform the song as part of a medley from “Hell’s Kitchen.” She will be joined by Tony nominee Maleah Joi Moon before introducing Jay-Z, who will appear on a video screen to rap his verses.
“Hell’s Kitchen” stars Tony nominees Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Kecia Lewis, and Maleah Joi Moon, who plays Ali, a character modeled after Keys. The ensemble cast includes Chris Lee, Chad Carstarphen, Vanessa Ferguson, Jakeim Hart, Jackie Leon, Nyseli Vega, Lamont Walker II, and Rema Webb. The show is directed by Michael Greif with choreography by Camille A. Brown and features a book by Kristoffer Diaz.
The musical is a celebration of Keys’ life and career, featuring hits like “No One,” “Fallin’,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and “Empire State of Mind,” along with new songs she composed for the show. The production aims to bring a diverse audience to Broadway, a goal that Keys is passionate about.
“One of the goals of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ was to really open the door to those who have never stepped foot in a Broadway theater ever before,” Keys said. “I see so many different people in so many different walks of life. I love that so much and that’s really important.”
The 77th Tony Awards are airing live on CBS and Paramount+, and the night promises to be a celebration of Broadway’s best, with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance as a standout moment.
