"The party begins now,” host Will Smith roared to the crowd of over

42,000 fans at the kick-off for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday bash.

After an opening set by Razorlight, the

international acts rolled out with something to please almost everyone: from The Soweto Gospel Choir, Annie Lennox and Simple Minds to British chart favourites X-Factor winner Leona Lewis (who wowed with hits Bleeding Love and Better In Time), the Sugababes and Jamelia.

British pop star and Stardoll Leona Lewis had to fight back tears when she performed at former South African president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday tribute concert in Hyde Park on June 27. Lewis sang hits like Bleeding Love and Better In Time at the gala event. She said, "It was a really emotional moment for me. There were definitely a few tears. My auntie and grandmother would tell me stories about Nelson Mandela. I never dreamed I would be up there singing at his birthday celebration. It was very emotional performing for him."

Have a listen to both of the British songbirds below. Amy Winehouse, probably the most anticipated act of the night didn't disappoint either.

Sporting her trademark bee-hive and a healthy tan, the troubled singer defied her recent health problems to belt out hits 'Rehab' and 'Valerie'.