AMA 50th Anniversary Special: Mariah Carey delivers powerful performance of throwback hits, Stray Kids pay tribute to NSYNC

On the 50th anniversary special of the American Music Awards on Sunday (October 6), viewers were in for an evening celebrating half a century of groundbreaking music, iconic moments, unforgettable performances, and rich pop-culture history. From Mariah Carey to Stray Kids, the evening boasted a special line-up of artists who enthralled the audience with their greatest hits.?

Mariah Carey celebrates her 'Song of the Decade'?

Mariah Carey knows how to serenade a packed house and did just that at the 50th-anniversary special of the annual ceremony. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of her hit album?The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah delivered a powerful performance of her throwback hits, sending fans on a sweet nostalgic trip.

Host Jennifer Hudson introduced Mariah Carey with a montage of her memorable appearances on the show over the years. Carey, a 10-time American Music Award winner, commanded the stage with a breathtaking performance of her hit songs?We Belong Together?and?Shake it Off?from her acclaimed album?The Emancipation of Mimi, celebrating its 20th anniversary next year.

?Following her performance, the 55-year-old spoke with Billboard and reflected on the 20th anniversary of her hit album. When asked how it felt to perform her most celebrated piece of work to an audience, Carey revealed how this album came when people were writing her off following a series of flops and helped her put herself back on the map. “And the song of the decade with ‘We Belong Together’ — it had to be that big of a record for me to have a comeback.”

Stray Kids' tribute to NSYNC

In an ode to 90s hit band NSYNC, the popular Korean super group Stray Kids, consisting of?Hyujin,?I.N., Bang Chan, Han, Felix, Seungmin, Lee Know and Changbin, evoked the cover of their 2000 album?No Strings Attached?which features the band members on puppet strings. The group also surprised the audience with a performance of their recent hit, CHK CHK BOOM.?

?Who else performed at the AMA 25th Anniversary Special?

Three-time American Music Award winner Nelly paid tribute to hip-hop's iconic moments with an electrifying performance featuring his chart-topping hits. Known for his two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, Hot in Herre and Dilemma (feat. Kelly Rowland), his retrospective act was the highlight of the night.

The event also featured special performances from Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Two-time AMA nominee Sheila E. Backstreet Boy (AJ McLean) and a member of *NSYNC (Lance Bass) also surprised fans with his appearance on the stage.?