A staple in Black music history, the Apollo Theater celebrated its 90th anniversary with a star-studded concert. On Tuesday, the historic theater held its annual spring benefit, its largest annual fundraising effort. This year the fundraiser raised $3 million with a star-studded event featuring Usher, Babyface, Big Daddy Kane, Jordin Sparks and more.
The night opened with a performance by Sparks who sang a medley of hits. There were speeches given by a number of Apollo representatives, including President/CEO Michelle Ebanks, chairman of the board Charles Phillips, executive producer Kamilah Forbes as well as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Usher, who was presented with the Icon Award was treated by dancers to a choreographed performance to some of his top hits. In his speech, he recalled watching “Showtime at The Apollo” with his late grandmother. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, someday I’m gonna make it to that stage,’ and ‘hopefully one day, I’ll get a standing ovation,’” he said as everyone in the audience stood.
“I stand before you humbled by your appreciation.” “You know, they say if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. Well, if you can make it to The Apollo, you can do anything,” he continued.
Singer Babyface was also honored that night when Fat Joe and Kwanza Jones led the crowd in a sing-a-long of the singer/producer’s 1989 hit, “Soon As I Get Home.” Both of them introduced the super-producer who had been presented the day before with the inaugural legacy award at The Apollo Theater’s 2024 Walk of Fame ceremony.
“To be here at The Apollo, what's so hard for me to find the words, because if I’m honest, I just never saw myself as like being on The Apollo stage. I was always the guy behind the scenes and writing songs for everyone else. I am just in awe to be considered as part of this,” Babyface said.
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