By Alicia Powell

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Reuters) – 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 called JAY-Z 23-time Grammy Winner “the embodiment” of America’s Dream for his climb from poverty in New York to become a millionaire businessman, songwriter and record executive.

JAY-Z was 51 years old when he seemed overwhelmed at the number of tributes that included one by comedian Dave Chappelle.

That’s quite a bit. He tried to make me weep in front all the white people! He laughed. “Growing up we didn’t think we could be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Hip-hop was considered a fashion.”

Swift started the show by singing a version of “Will You Like Me Tomorrow?” while Jennifer Hudson (NYSE) performed “A Natural Woman”, in tribute to King. Hudson led the crowd in a singalong rendition of King’s hit “You’ve got a Friend.”

Swift stated, “I cannot remember a moment when I didn’t know Carole King’s songs,” calling Swift’s 1971 “Tapestry” (NYSE:) album “a watershed for humanity in the world of feelings.”

Cleveland’s ceremony featured A-listers such as Eminem and Jennifer Lopez.

Christina Aguilera performed a selection of Turner’s greatest hits.

The singer of “Simply the Best”, who is now living in Switzerland, could not attend Saturday’s ceremony, but he sent his appreciation via video.

Turner stated, “If they still give me awards at age 81 then I must have done something right.”

Turner shared the honour in 1991 with Ike Turner. But, on Saturday, she was honored for her bigger solo career of the 1980s-90s.

King and Dave Grohl also received two honors. King was previously inducted alongside Gerry Goffin as her songwriting partner. Foo Fighters frontman Grohl, a member grunge group Nirvana was also inducted.

McCartney stated that Grohl and he were “ordinary” children who fell in love with rock and roll.

The Go-Gos were a 1980s girl rock band. LL Cool J was a rapper. Kraftwerk, a German pioneer in electronic music, and Billy Preston, the late Billy Preston, were all also inducted.

American multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren, 73, was a no-show from his own induction ceremony. Rundgren said that he wouldn’t attend the ceremony because music was not something he considered a contest.

This honor recognizes artists who have been in the industry for over 25 years. 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. The public was also able to vote.

The ceremony of 2021 will air on Cable Channel HBO from Nov. 20.