Grammy weekend kicked off in a big way on Thursday night as Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, Martina McBride and gospel singer Yolanda Adams rehearsed five Aretha Franklin songs for the tribute that will open the Grammys on Sunday.
They sang “Natural Woman, ” before each took on their own Aretha tune. Christina was first with “Ain’t No Way, ” Martina sang “Until You Come Back to Me” next, then Florence followed with “Think.”
Jennifer took on “Respect” and Yolanda finished things up with “Spirit in the Dark.” The ladies all closed with the empowering “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.”
- Check out the track list and pre-order Jennifer’s sophomore album, I Remember Me, at Amazon.
Her sophomore set drops March 22.
“Rehearsals are going, and went, very well, ” Jennifer said. “It’s a lot of fun, and just being amongst the other ladies and being around some of my favorite artists, and then tributing Aretha Franklin, it’s just like surreal. And it’s a moment you just have to take in and enjoy it, and I’m like on cloud nine just in that moment.”
“They were chosen for us, ” Jennifer admitted about the song selection. “I know that had to be the hardest job because Aretha has like catalogues of music. And I remember when they asked me to submit a list and I’m like, ‘Oh my God! Where do I start?’ ”
See more photos and watch a brief MTV interview with Jennifer after the jump
