(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 the great names of American culture each year.
A host of stars from Hollywood and all of Washington will also salute during this gala evening, of which this is the 46th edition, the careers of soul legend Dionne Warwick, soprano Renée Fleming and singer Barry Gibb, 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 in particular her success Ladies First.
This opus paved the way for a thriving career in hip-hop, film and production.
“I’m humbled to be included in this incredible list of artists,” said the 53-year-old singer, who has performed three times on the Kennedy Center stage at ceremonies honoring rapper LL Cool J, singers Tina Turner and Barbra Streisand.
Known for his long comedy career, highlighted by film hits like the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally…, actor Billy Crystal, 75, echoed the sentiment.
“I’m extremely excited to be part of this fantastic group of artists,” he said.
“I started acting at the age of five, making my parents and family laugh. This laughter has 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 long collaborated with the Kennedy Center 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, singer of hits like Don’t Make Me Over, Walk On By and I Say a Little Prayer, receives this award at age 82, after winning over a new generation of fans with her wit on social media.
Disco king Barry Gibb rose to fame with the band Bee Gees, which he formed with his two brothers. Among their biggest hits: the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever with titles like Stayin’Alive and How Deep Is Your Love.
But Barry Gibb, 77, wrote more than a thousand songs during his career, such as the theme from Grease or even Heartbreaker performed by… Dionne Warwick.
“If you’re just in a band and making records, you’re not going to survive. You’ll 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 had 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.
