Jennifer Lopez's Motown Tribute: The Backlash And Smokey Robinson's Defense

Let’s talk about the Grammys. Last night, the music world gathered for one of the biggest nights in the biz. Jennifer Lopez stepped onto the stage to honor Motown, performing alongside legends Smokey Robinson and Ne-Yo. Now, J.Lo, at 49, is no stranger to breaking barriers, but her inclusion in the tribute sparked some heated debate. Thankfully, Smokey Robinson, the soulful voice behind countless hits, came to her defense with wisdom and grace.

Here's the deal: Smokey Robinson, who's been in the game for decades and knows a thing or two about Motown, had some choice words for anyone upset about Jennifer's performance. In an interview with Variety at Clive Davis's pre-Grammy gala on February 9, he didn’t mince words. “I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset. I think anyone who is upset is stupid. Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?” he said. Smokey went on to remind everyone that Motown music is universal—it’s "for everybody." So, if you missed it, you can still watch Jennifer's unforgettable tribute to Motown right here!

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When Jennifer was announced as the leading act for the Motown tribute at the Grammys, it caused quite the stir. A lot of people felt that a black singer should’ve been chosen to headline the medley of iconic songs originally made famous by legends like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and The Temptations. It’s understandable why this sparked debate, especially during Black History Month.

Not everyone was happy with Jennifer’s performance. Preacher Jared Sawyer Jr. took to Twitter the day after the show to voice his dissatisfaction. “J.Lo better not salsa her way to the cookout because she is uninvited for that terrible performance,” he wrote. He continued, “How do you do a Motown tribute without an ALL BLACK cast of artists?! And it’s Black History Month too.” Sawyer even suggested a list of black artists he believed could’ve taken the reins, naming legends like Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, and Tina Turner.

But Jennifer wasn’t just up there to perform; she was honoring her roots. Before the show, she shared on the red carpet that her Motown tribute was a heartfelt dedication to her mom, Guadalupe Rodríguez. “Mommy, this is for you because we used to dance around to this music. I grew up with this music, and me and my sisters, the three of us, we were like the backups. We were The Temptations, and we just sang with her. I feel it’s a dream come true,” she told E!. It’s clear that for J.Lo, this wasn’t just a performance—it was a personal journey back to her childhood and a tribute to the music that shaped her life.