Taylor Swift serenaded Carole King, former U.S. President Barack Obama praised rapper JAY-Z, and Paul McCartney paid tribute to the Foo Fighters on Saturday at a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony that also honored Tina Turner and The Go-Gos.
Obama, speaking via video, called 23-time Grammy winner JAY-Z "the embodiment of the American Dream" for his rise from a poor New York neighborhood to a billionaire songwriter, record executive and businessman.
JAY-Z, 51, seemed overwhelmed by the tributes, which included one from comedian Dave Chappelle.
"That's a lot. Trying to make me cry in front of all these white people!" he joked. "Growing up we didn't think we could be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad."
Swift opened the show with a pop version of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" while Jennifer Hudson sang "A Natural Woman" in honor of the singer-songwriter King, 79, who led the audience in a singalong of her hit "You've Got a Friend."
"I can't remember a time when I didn't know Carole King's music," said Swift, calling her 1971 "Tapestry" album "a watershed moment for humans in the world with feelings."
The ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, was packed with A-listers including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie and Keith Urban.
Christina Aguilera led a medley of Turner's biggest hits.
The "Simply the Best" singer, who now lives quietly in Switzerland, was unable to attend Saturday's ceremony but sent thanks by video.
"If they're still giving me awards at 81, I must be doing something right," Turner said.
Turner was first given the honor in 1991 with her former husband Ike Turner but on Saturday she was celebrated for her even bigger solo career in the 1980s and 1990s.
King and Dave Grohl were also two time honorees. King had previously been inducted with her songwriting partner Gerry Goffin, while Foo Fighters frontman Grohl was a member of grunge band Nirvana which was inducted in 2014.
McCartney said he and Grohl were both "ordinary kind of goofy" kids who had somehow fallen into rock and roll music.
Female 1980s rock band The Go-Gos, rapper LL Cool J, German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk and the late Billy Preston were also inducted.
American multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren, 73, was a no-show from his own induction ceremony. Rundgren had said he would not attend because he didn't consider music to be a contest.
The honors recognize artists who have spent more than 25 years in the music industry. They are selected based on ballots sent by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to more than 1,200 artists, historians and members of the music industry. Members of the public also provided votes.
The 2021 ceremony will be broadcast on cable channel HBO on Nov. 20.
Reuters
Sun Oct 31 2021

Taylor Swift performs during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. October 30, 2021. - REUTERS

Clarification on the investment in Sapura Energy by MDH
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as the existing significant shareholder of SEB.

Floods recede in Beaufort, but residents remain wary of downstream water flow
While floods in Beaufort are receding, residents remain on alert for downstream water flow that could bring floodwaters from inland areas.

Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.

PM Anwar calls on all parties to be agents of unity, help unite people of different races
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians to join hands to become agents of unity and assist the MADANI Government in its efforts to unite all Malaysians

Women representation in senior management fall to 36.2 pct in 2025
The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report reveals a concerning decline in the representation of women in senior management positions in Malaysia.

Singapore Airlines prohibits usage, charging of power banks from April 1
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will not be allowed to use power banks or charge them throughout their flight effective April 1.

Captain of cargo ship arrested over fatal collision in North Sea
The cargo ship captain involved in the North Sea's deadly collision has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

No plans to follow us in repatriating illegal immigrants - KDN
For the period up to March 9 this year, the total number of deportations from Immigration depots was 9,199 people.

Air pollution responsible for nearly 7 million deaths annually worldwide
A report by the World Air Quality Index indicated that only 17 per cent of cities worldwide meet the recommended air quality standards.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.