Jennifer Hudson is without doubt one of the most underrated singers of the past 20 years.
Yes, she won an Oscar early-on in her career for her performance in Dreamgirls and is also a two-time Grammy award winner, but for a voice like hers – she has on quite been appreciated in the mainstream, as much as she should have.
After all, it is once in a generation that you come across a voice and a talent like that.
Having said that, what differentiates JHud from other big-voiced singers of our generation is that she has never limited herself to mere vocal acrobats or high-belts, but it is – her interpretative skills and the undeniable presence of Soul in her voice which comes almost naturally to her, that make her performances stand out and be remembered.
Today we look back at some of those astonishing live vocal moments from this powerhouse, gifted talent – listening to which makes us contemplate how the music industry failed to get the best out of what has easily been one of the greatest talents of our generation.
Here are 10 of her best live performances, thus far:
10) I Am Changing
An original by musical theater icon – Jennifer Holliday, that Hudson not only turns into her own, but also takes it several notches above with her masterful delivery. She emotes ever word with sheer conviction and makes you believe in the lyric, like only she can.
9) Impossible Dream
An impromptu vocal performance that showcases the power and versatility of her talent as she effortlessly belts out a classic, without any rehearsal and totally nails it. Yet again, it isn’t just how she belts it with utmost technical finesse but how she just carries the emotion of the song and brings it out at the drop of a hat.
8) Listen
It is astonishing how Jennifer can just casually start singing another singer’s song and totally nail it every single time she goes-in on it. The singer takes this Beyonce hit from their movie ‘Dreamgirls’ to another level, and sings it in true Effie White-fashion, making you believe in the lyric like you probably didn’t in the Bey-version. (No shade!)
7) I’m Here
A moving tribute to Oprah Winfrey, as JHud belts out a tune from the musical theater adaptation of Winfrey’s first-starring role in The Color Purple. A power-packed performance that brings the audience to their feet, as the diva delivers a stellar vocal performance, yet again.
6) Memory
Although the film adaptation of this theater classic turned into one of the biggest-known big-screen disasters of recent years, the only saving grace (if any) about the whole project – was Jennifer’s presence in it. She was bound to deliver in an otherwise corny setup and she managed to rise above it all. Her spellbinding and heartfelt live performance of the song proves how she can captivate you by turning a classic her own.
5) You Pull Me Through
An unforgettable moment in Grammy awards history as Hudson pulled-together her chops to deliver a heart-wrenching performance shortly after her family was murdered in a tragic shootout incident in 2008, marking one of her first big public appearances since then. Another testimony to her ability to make one choke with emotions with her singing and her God-given talent.
4) I Will Always Love You
Life came full-circle for Hudson as she sang in tribute to a legend, who made her pick up a broom in front of a mirror as a kid and put her voice to test in the basement of her house. She sings the diva’s iconic ‘I Will Always Love You’ here and surprises even her, as it is knocked right out the park.
3) One Moment In Time
Another cover of a Houston classic, sang in the presence of Clive Davis – the man who discovered Houston and now backs Hudson and supports her magnanimous talent to a younger audience. Hudson pulls her own style into this Summer Olympics theme song, as she brings out such impact from each word of the lyric that it becomes an emotional roller coaster.
2) A Change Is Gonna Come
If you can make Denzel Washington teary-eyed with your performance, you have clearly nailed it. J Hud sings this song by Sam Cooke, in tribute to the legendary actor and brings the house down with it.
1) Ain’t No Way
Hudson delivers a smooth yet soulful performance giving a tribute to one of her icons – Aretha Franklin. By the time she reaches the iconic climax of this 70’s classic, her voice is ready to blow the roof off the stadium and she does just that as she effortlessly belts out the last note.
There’s no doubt about the fact that Jennifer Hudson is one of the most gifted and powerful Soul vocalists of this generation.
It is time her label invests into creating her own original classics, because a talent like that certainly deserves it.