Washington gala honours top artists including Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal

WASHINGTON - A diverse class of music legends plus comedian Billy Crystal gave Washington a glow-up in an evening celebrating the arts in the company of President Joe Biden for the annual Kennedy Center Honors.

Hollywood A-listers gather once a year for a rare night of glitz in the US capital -- generally known more for buttoned-up business casual than black tie -- to celebrate their icons.

This year they include the beloved actor Crystal as well as rap pioneer Queen Latifah, soul legend Dionne Warwick, star soprano Renee Fleming and the sole surviving Bee Gee, Barry Gibb.

The inductees will be honoured with seats in the opera house's presidential box as they receive the highest US arts award, which is now in its 46th year.

The Grammy-winning Latifah -- an actress and singer as well as a rapper, whose titles also include producer and label president –- released her debut album "All Hail The Queen" in 1989, making waves with its hit single "Ladies First."

It set the stage for her trailblazing career in hip-hop and eventual success in acting and producing.

Now 53, Queen Latifah has performed three times at the Kennedy Center Honors, for her peers LL Cool J, Tina Turner and Barbra Streisand.

Grammy-winning opera superstar Fleming, the 64-year-old considered one of the world's top sopranos, has a long history of collaboration with the Kennedy Center and has helmed top stages the world over.

The 82-year-old Warwick -- whose hits include "Don't Make Me Over," "Walk On By" and "I Say a Little Prayer" -- receives the award after finding legions of new young fans thanks to her cheeky presence on the online platform formerly known as Twitter.

And disco king Gibb -- the Bee Gees are perhaps best known for soundtracking the film "Saturday Night Fever," with boogified smashes including "Stayin' Alive," "How Deep Is Your Love" and "Night Fever" -- accepts the honor after writing more than a thousand songs.