Platinum-selling R&B singers Tyrese, Brandy, Anthony Hamilton and Kem celebrated Mother’s Day two days early at a concert in front of feverish fans in Brooklyn.
The second annual SJ Presents Mother’s Day Good Music Festival took place at the Barclays Centre, which also included rising singer-songwriter Major.
Brandy was energetic as she worked the stage left to right, singing memorable hit songs such as I Wanna Be Down, Full Moon and Sittin’ Up In My Room.
Tyrese, also a star of the Fast & Furious box office franchise, closed the four-hour show.
Hamilton’s performance went from upbeat to soulful as fans sang along with the Grammy-winning singer. He was supported by The Hamiltones, his lively backing band who earned loud cheers from the crowd when hitting impressive high notes.
Kem, whose sound blends R&B, neo-soul and jazz, was a powerhouse with a large backing band dressed nattily in tuxedos.
“God bless the mothers — we love you,” he yelled.
The Detroit-raised singer, who was once homeless and a drug addict, said his mother gave birth to him when she was 17 and that his grandfather was preacher, so the time was a rough one for his mother. He thanked God for supporting her and him onstage and said he wanted to give back as a result.
Then Kem told the audience he would give $5,000 (Dh18,361) to the YMCA in Brooklyn and $5,000 to the organisation WIN (Women In Need), which supports homeless women and their children.
Last year’s Mother’s Day Good Music Festival, also held at the Barclays Center, featured R&B singers Monica, Ginuwine, Tank, Keyshia Cole and Avant.
