“Yeah, we saw that. Don’t Worry. We Got You.”
Last night at the Billboard Music Awards, Madonna and Stevie Wonder paid tribute to Prince, who died last month. Once Madonna was tapped to do the performance, there was some speculation about whether or not she could pull it off – or whether she was worthy, as the two had a thorny friendship.
BET seemed at the ready to mock the performance, taking to Twitter afterward:
#BETAwards #PrinceTribute pic.twitter.com/VpnjybXia2
— #BETAwards (@BETAwards) May 23, 2016
Aside from this being a truly immaculate insult, it should be noted that in a market oversaturated with music awards shows (iHeartMusic, Billboard, the Grammys, the American Music Awards, the VMAs, and so on), BET, who airs two award shows a year, consistently raise the bar for these kinds of broadcasts.
Questlove took to Twitter to strike a balance:
So I know there is gonna be ALOT of "feel a certain ways" about who you want to see do his music justice—but you gotta put that aside yall
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
Every Prince rendition will not be a life changing orgasmic xperience. Just to SING his work is brave enough. Again feeling are on high
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
And EVERYBODY wants and deserves a chance to say goodbye in their own way. But remember: there will be AMAs, SoulTrain, NAACP, mtv, GRAMMYS
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
And a gazillion other tributes. But the point is let's not get ugly w playing the "Prince would and wouldn't approve" game.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
I've been gettin earfuls from in/outside the Purple Circle concerning inclu/exclusions of his estate/work/memorials/tributes who in who not.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
Watch Madonna and Stevie Wonder duet ‘Purple Rain’ below and decide for yourself whether it’s up to snuff. The BET Awards air June 26.
