A Celebration of Motown at the White House

Smokey Robinson, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Ledisi, John Legend, Seal and other musicians performed at the White House last night for a special evening titled "The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House". The event was given in celebration of Black History Month and the legacy of Motown, the distinctive soul-infused pop music sound, style and presentation that was born in Detroit and embodied by the Motown Records label. 

John Legend performed Stevie Wonder's "Love's in Need of Love". During his set, he shared some of his Motown childhood memories, and how his father and uncle inspired his love for music.

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Smokey Robinson took the stage with Sheryl Crow for a duet on his hit, "You Really Got a Hold on Me,' and then Stevie Wonder followed with his classic, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life."

Stevie Wonder also thanked Motown's very own Berry Gordy: "Berry, thank you for this incredible Motown ride". 

"The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House" will air on PBS Tuesday, March 1st. Check for local listings here.

Watch the full episode. See more In Performance at The White House.

BET Honors Cicely Tyson, Jamie Foxx, Herbie Hancock, Iman, Lonnie Busch, and Linda Johnson Rice

Last night, BET aired this year's "The BET Honors - what extraordinary looks like", which was originally taped in the historic Warner Theater in Washington D.C. on January 15th. The purpose of "BET Honors" is to honor legends in arts, music, service and education. The event recognizes lifetime contributions and exceptional service to African-American culture. The honorees included actress Cicely Tyson, jazz legend Herbie Hancock, actor Jamie Foxx, supermodel and philanthropist Iman, historian Lonnie Busch and publisher Linda Johnson Rice.

Performances were made by Marsha Ambrosius, Lalah Hathaway, Yolanda Adams, Ne-Yo, Keyshia cole, Naturally 7, Angélique Kidjo, Chick Korea, Trey Songz, and Tank/Guy. Check out some of the performances below, and the rest here.

Proceeds from this year’s BET Honors private ticket sales were given to the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.