Mariah Carey looked amazing as she appeared at the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 49th Annual Induction and Awards to induct her frequent collaborator, Jermaine Dupri.
The 48-year-old singer was clad in a long-sleeved sparkly black gown with a V-neck, with her blonde locks parted and flowing. The Emotions singer rounded out her luxe ensemble with large hoop earrings and a diamond ring.
Carey hailed Dupri, 45, as she inducted him into the vaunted group during the ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
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Shining star: Mariah Carey, 48, looked amazing as she appeared at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards in NYC to induct her frequent collaborator, Jermaine Dupri
‘Jermaine does this out of … actual love of music,’ the Grammy-winning artist said as she inducted Dupri, who she’s worked with on hits such as Don’t Forget About Us, Always Be My Baby and We Belong Together, which won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2006.
Carey noted how Dupri, despite his success, ‘hasn’t changed since that first time in the studio together,’ and is ‘still the same person.’
‘He’s still got the passion inside him,’ she said, ‘and that’s something I have to commend him for.’
Happy night: Composer Chad Elliott joined the trio on a night Dupri became the youngest-ever inductee into the hallowed group
Grounded: Carey noted how Dupri, despite his success, ‘hasn’t changed since that first time in the studio together,’ and is ‘still the same person’
Feted: Carey said ‘Jermaine does this out of … actual love of music’
Welcome to the hall: Inductee Jermaine Dupri showed off his hardware on the evening
Carey, who has writing credits on 17 of her 18 number one hits, was revealed as one of the nominees for Songwriters Hall Of Fame last fall, but did not get the nod this go-around. Songwriters must have at least 20 years of credits to be eligible for the vaunted honor.
Carey and Dupri have worked closely together through the years, as he acted as her manager between the years of 2005 and 2014, parting after her album Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse debuted to tepid sales that spring.
After their parting, he told Billboard, ‘I’m a very hands-on person when it comes to my work. I put my all into every project. But when I’m not allowed to do what I do, then I know it’s time for me to move on.
Familiar face: The Weeknd posed with Honoree Sir Lucian Grainge on the red carpet
R-O-C-K in the U.S.A.: John Mellencamp took to the stage at the swanky function
Big night: Both Mellencamp and Nora Guthrie were inducted during Thursday’s event
Icons: Usher planted a kiss on Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler’s cheek
‘Mariah and I enjoy working together and will continue to make great music together in the future.’
Other major names in attendance included Steven Tyler, Fantasia Barrino, Usher, The Weeknd, Jason Mraz, and Tony winner Brandon Victor Dixon.
John Mellencamp, Kool & The Gang, Jermaine Dupri, Steve Dorff, Alan Jackson, Bill Anderson and Allee Willis were slated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night.
Singers Neil Diamond, Sara Bareilles and Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge were also to be feted at the event.
Celebrate good times: Kool and the Gang, (L-R) Ronald Bell, James Taylor, Robert Bell and George Brow, posed for a group shot on the red carpet
Good night: Honoree Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz posed backstage at the proceedings
Talented: Brandon Victor Dixon took the stage at the luxe music industry event
Good as gold: Inductee Allee Willis wore a colorful gold getup to the proceedings
Stars! Mariah posed with Usher and Jermaine Dupri at the honors
Pour it up! The stars were in a celebrating mood
Tipsy! The musician toasted to health and happiness
Relax! Mariah got cozy with her musical collaborator and friend
Overload! There was almost too much star power for one photo with Mariah, Usher and Jermaine together
What a laugh: Usher was clearly entertained by the diva
All eyes on her: Mariah made an entrance