Christina Aguilera performs prior to the start of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, in New York. AP
NEW YORK, United States — Christina Aguilera was in a New York state of mind.
The pop singer kicked off the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday with a New York-themed performance at Madison Square Garden. The big-voiced star sang classics including Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” Stevie Wonder’s “Livin’ In the City” and Jay Z’s “Empire State of Mind.”
The Rockettes backed Aguilera, who rocked all-black and danced with a crane as a prop. Rapper Nas, who is from Queens, came out to perform his own New York anthem, “N.Y. State of Mind.”
Queen Latifah, backed by two guitars, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist Tamia, who is married to Grant Hill, sang the Canadian National Anthem.
Ariana Grande will headline the halftime show.
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