The tribute also includes performance by Bilal who belts out 'Beautiful Ones' alongside The Roots and Stevie Wonder who joins Kelly for 'Take Me With You'.
- Jun 27, 2016
AceShowbiz - This is how BET Awards pays tribute to Prince. After dissing Madonna's tribute at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards last month, BET honored the late musician with a string of performances that began with Dave Chappelle introducing Erykah Badu, Bilal and The Roots.
"On April 21, we got that news, and literally our hearts were broken," said Chappelle. "I was 11 years old when Purple Rain came out, and by the time I was 20, Prince had changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol... We miss him dearly. And tonight we celebrate the rich legacy of this remarkable genius, who we are all so proud of."
Later, Badu appeared in a black beret and all-black outfit teamed with a white fur stole as she launched into a beautiful rendition of "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker". Bilal then slowed things down when he belted out "The Beautiful Ones" alongside the Roots members.
Listen... #ErykahBadu and #Bilal just KILLED that #Prince tribute. Who else caught it? #BE�����¢��¯��¿��½�����¦ https://t.co/czkehyyIlc pic.twitter.com/5sIpX7bUQ3
— YBF CHIC (@TheYBF) June 27, 2016
.@fatbellybella kicks off a magnificent Prince tribute. �����°��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½ #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/6QWUebPYIa
— The FADER (@thefader) 27 June 2016
The Prince tribute continued with a performance of "Take Me With You" by Tori Kelly and Stevie Wonder. The latter interestingly joined Madge during her much-criticized appearance at the BBMAs.
Jennifer Hudson SHUT IT DOWN with that 'Prince' Tribute #BETAwards �����¢��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½�����°��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½ pic.twitter.com/tJRktczcjB
— FashionweekNYC (@FashionweekNYC) June 27, 2016
Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) shook my soul with her #Prince tribute performance my lawd �����°��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½�����°��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½�����½�����°��¯��¿��½��¯��¿��½�����© #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/2aa1v7OWEV
— REVOLT TV (@RevoltTV) 27 June 2016
Jennifer Hudson then followed it up with her powerful cover of "Purple Rain". Janelle Monae, D'Angelo and Prince's ex Sheila E. are also part of the special tribute and are scheduled to perform later tonight.