Sunday, February 16, 2014

Janelle Monae + More Perform Funky Jam Session at 2014 NBA All-Star Game


We all know that Janelle Monae is a helluva performer onstage. So it goes without saying that the R&B singer electrified the 2014 NBA All-Star Game with a fantastic performance Sunday (Feb. 16) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.


Backed by NOLA artists Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Monae was phenomenal and displayed great showmanship. Dressed in an all-white ensemble with a matching varsity jacket and black boots, the singer shimmied and moonwalked effortlessly onstage during her performance.


Then it was Earth, Wind & Fire’s turn. The venerable soul-funk band ended the set with their indelible hit ‘Shining Star.’ With Monae, Shorty and Orleans Avenue performing alongside the group it soon became a joyous jam session.


Before Monae and EWF’s performance, New Orleans jazz legend Dr. John and recent Grammy-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. treated audiences with their bluesy renditions of ‘Iko, Iko’ and ‘Bright Lights, Big City,’ respectively.


“We love music, we love funk, we love soul, we love to jam,” Monae told Billboard prior to their performance on Sunday.


Jam they did.


Twitter reactions to the halftime show was unanimous — the Electric Lady and EWF’s blew the roof off the mother-sucka! Check out some of the tweets below: