Jennifer Hudson’s soulful “Hallelujah” at Royal Albert Hall is unmatched

At the Global Citizen Prize ceremony, Jennifer Hudson performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at Royal Albert Hall. The R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois, offered a soulful interpretation of a composition that has been covered countless times. Her delivery kept the audience attentive through a performance centered on the strength and character of her voice.

Hudson introduced the song with a vocal melody before beginning the opening verse. During this first section, the accompaniment consisted of little more than piano, placing her singing at the forefront. She approached the verse with passion and conviction, drawing on her vocal power while exercising notable control over shifts in volume and intensity.

The arrangement grew larger upon reaching the main refrain. A choir and full band joined Hudson, providing accompaniment that supported her without displacing her as the focus. Near the conclusion, the performance developed into an exchange between the singer and the choir, whose call-and-response sequence served as the closing feature of the rendition.

The performance also found a substantial audience online. Its video accumulated 16 million views as listeners sought out Hudson’s interpretation. Comments attached to the clip included a claim that she belongs among the greatest vocalists, while another viewer praised the consistency of her performances and credited her talent, dedication and professionalism.

Watch the full performance on page two