The Waiting for Tonight singer hit the stage with a medley of huge Motown classics in a dramatic performance that saw her duet with Smokey Robinson and Alicia Keys.

Jennifer Lopez’s Motown tribute failed to hit the mark with Grammys viewersCredit: Rex Features

Robinson was the founder and frontman of The Miracles, the vocal group that came to define Motown’s sound.

But the performance was slammed by viewers at home for not being performed by a black artist with it being Black History Month.

They suggested the likes of Beyonce, Gladys Knight or Jennifer Hudson would be a more appropriate choice than popstar Lopez.

One furious viewer wrote: “Dear #GRAMMYs Out of Anita, Beyonce, Lalah, India, Kelly Rowland, Latoya, Keyshia, Mary, Rihanna, Toni, Mariah, Monica, Brandy, Jill, Thee Diana, Faith, Patti, Gladys, Jennifer Hud, Jasmine Sullivan, Fantasia, Tamar, Kelly Price you get Jennifer Lopez to do Motown? Insulting.”

The popstar’s energetic performance wasn’t the correct tone for the eventCredit: AFP or licensors

The singer was slammed for 𝓈ℯ𝓍ualising the performanceCredit: AFP or licensors

She performed a series of Motown classics in the medleyCredit: AFP or licensors

Grammys viewers said the decision to pick Lopez during Black History Month was a mistakeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The artist formerly known as J-Lo put on an impressive showCredit: Getty Images – Getty

She brought her trademark dancing to the medleyCredit: AFP or licensors

A second said: “They got a good number of black songstress sitting in the Grammys and decided to us Jennifer Lopez to pay tribute to Motown during Black History Month.

“The ball was dropped. Dropped straight to hell.”

A third commented: “Think of all of the seniors 70 years and older that stayed up late to watch a Motown tribute.

“But then all they saw was Jennifer Lopez shaking her ass and dancing to salsa. Complete disrespect. #grammys”

Jennifer duetted with Alicia Keys during the medleyCredit: Rex Features

Smokey Robinson defended her inclusion in the performanceCredit: Reuters

The legend defended Jennifer from the backlashCredit: AP:Associated Press

The actress and singer pulled off impressive costume changes during her performanceCredit: Rex Features

She even made full use of a piano for her performanceCredit: AP:Associated Press

Jennifer has yet to respond to the criticism herselfCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Another added: “Jennifer Lopez can barely do a Jennifer Lopez tribute but yet…a Motown tribute seemed appropriate. I truly hate everybody.”

A fifth tweeted: “Jennifer Lopez doing a MOTOWN TRIBUTE at the Grammys? Jennifer Lopez??? #Grammys2019 #AlwaysMissTheMark”

In anticipation of the backlash, Smokey Robinson, who performed part of the medley with Lopez, defended her.