Usher, Keys featured at pre-Grammy bash

Fantasia, Alicia Keys, Usher, Maroon5 and Jamie Foxx performed at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash. View Pics

Performing at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash has been a good omen for a lot of rising stars. Alicia Keys hadn't even put out a single when she wowed the crowd with her piano playing and soulful singing four years ago.

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A young Mario also showcased his talent, as have Gavin DeGraw and Maroon5. Now Davis, the legendary music mogul who heads BMG's US division, is hoping the same magic can happen for Fantasia, last year's American Idol champ.

Though her debut album, This is Me, is off to a good start, approaching platinum status since it's release two months ago, Davis said that the celebration will spotlight Fantasia "because we wanted to make sure that she gets her just due as an artist outside of American Idol."

Fantasia won't be the only performer at the Saturday event, which is held on the eve of the Grammys every year at the swanky Beverly Hills Hotel. Also on tap are Keys, Usher, Maroon5 again, and Oscar and Grammy nominee Jamie Foxx.

Alicia Keys, Usher, Maroon5 and Jamie Foxx will perform at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash

But part of the excitement of the exclusive, celebrity-soaked affair are the surprise performers, and Davis promises the same this year.

"Alicia Keys, Usher ... they'll be getting up on stage performing with artists that they have not performed with before," said Davis.

Recent performers have included Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, P Diddy, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Santana and Whitney Houston. "The idea is to raise the roof," Davis chuckled.