Alicia Keys brought down the house at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Gala Saturday night, performing an assortment of hits from the night’s honoree Jay-Z. And, of course, there were lots of speeches.

At the piano, Keys went back more than two decades at the Sheraton in midtown Manhattan, delivering Hova hits such as "Empire State of Mind," "Dead Presidents II," "Feelin It," "Can't Knock the Hustle," "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" and "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)."

While Clive was celebrating the industry with an emphasis on singers, The Recording Academy presented Jay-Z with the Industry Icon Award.

Jay-Z, who had protested the Grammys for their treatment of hip-hop years ago, said, "Art is super subjective, everyone's doing their best, and the Academy are human like we are … We have to get involved."

In addition to Keys’ performance the crowd heard a Broadway medley from Gladys Knight, Ben Platt and Leslie Odom Jr. and an Aretha Franklin tribute from Jennifer Hudson plus performances from Barry Manilow, Migos, Luis Fonsi, Khalid and Logic.

Teeming with execs, the crowd included Beyoncé, Sean Combs, Sting, P!nk, Jimmy Jam, Cardi B, Nick Jonas, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Bob Weir, John Oliver, Timbaland, Maxwell, DJ Khaled, Jamie Foxx, Quincy Jones, Lang Lang, Verdine White, Lil Uzi Vert, Ludacris and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, Jay-Z, Neil Portnow

Doug Davis and John Oliver

Clive with Katie Couric and Luis Fonsi

Clive with Gladys Knight

Verdeen White, Doug Davis, John Oliver and Jessie Musico

Clive and Andrew Lloyd Webber

**Photo credit: Elliot Dal Pra London