Musician Prince holds up singer Patti LaBelle’s shoe during her performance at the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday (June 27) in Los Angeles, California.
One of the highlights of the night was Prince’s tribute. But not because of the tribute performances (even though Janelle Monae & Patti LaBelle KILLED IT), it was because of the many facial expressions Prince gave us during them!! Make sure you watch the video below, it gives you life. Shout out to Prince for always keeping it real. One questions though…why didn’t he perform?
( Photos: GETTY IMAGES )
Prince I love you!!! Baby baby babyyy what’s it gonna be???? do you want me???? OMG I’m surprise Prince didn’t have his own throne we all know how Prince can be great tribute and ppl were hating on Janelle Monae but she wrecked it!!! shout out to that!!!
Janelle Monae DID AMAZING!!! Thank god Alicia Keys didn’t fall off that piano! All did great but I love, love, love Janelle Monae’s performance!
Excuse me, but I have to say this…Does Prince have any undies on? I’m just saying. Ladies?
Alicia keys was terrible,her singing was bad and her perfomance was worse.Janelle was good and Pattie labelle
Prince did not like akeys performance
Thats a shame how peoples hate .Alicia was on point..I mean she was alsome. and I think prince thought so to.so all you haters need to get a life I mean can you people even sing. Good job alicia LOL. At the haters.
IM REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT ESPERANZA SPALDING PERFORMED!!! A TRUE TALENT INDEED!!!! JANELLE WAS OUTSTANDING!!!! ALICIA KEYS SCARED ME GETTING ON THAT PIANO!!!!!
THE TRIBUTE WAS KINDA WACK AND PRINCE’S FACE TELLS IT ALL! Alicia lacks vocal abilities, she is overrated, she needed to jump on this piano to have attention, I was scared, Prince was like b!tch you pregnant lol I mean this is not some random artist this is Prince, Patti did her thing, she kept screaming as usual but that woman can sang! Janelle’s energy was fun! In general, Prince didnt seem impressed to me!
I really wanted Beyoncé to sing for him ‘the beautiful ones’, she sang that during her Vegas show & I was blown away!
This is the thing wit BET, I hate the show cuz it’s pure dumbass niggatry,dont get me wrong Im black but its always like they prepared the day before, ghetto ass show, every year it is!
I also want Alicia to stop with the superwomen BS, u aint no damn superwoman!
You need not to hate.i mean you sound like a jealus fool.
You know I was so mad at his face expressions, it started with Trey Songz, Prince is idolized by so many, we all know nobody can sing Prince songs like Prince, he look ungrateful and judgmental by his face expressions. This man didn’t even have the nerve to perform. That’s a honor to be recognized by your own people or anybody , he pranced and holler at the Grammy’s with Beyonce ( If I am wrong about the award ceremony sorry) he should’ve been more grateful, they stand to honor him, this fool tells people to sit down. I enjoyed all the tributes, especially Janelle and Patti , I so had wish one of her shoes hit him up side his head. He is the first artist ever that won that award who didn’t perform after. So disappointed.
Are you kidding me she killed it Alicia was on point vocally and everything
His speech was one to take note in. Telling these people they don’t have to do the things they are doing and that America is going through some changes and we all are feeling it. I think he is deeper than he looks.
Crys, I don’t think Prince was too judgemental. I think he was looking and probably thinking what we all were thinking. LOL at his expression when A Keys got on that piano.
@ 3, no he doesn’t!!!! hahahaha!!!
AND PLEASE SOMEONE TELLS TREY SONGZ TO LEAVE ALONE PURPLE RAIN IT WAS A MASSACRE I WAS LIKE BOY IF YOU DONT SHUT THAT DYING CAT VOICE! AND HE THOUGHT HE WAS KILLIN IT!
I heard Anita Baker was suppose to be apart of Prince’s tribute but something happened behind the scenes. You could see her in the audience on TV last night.
People, lets get it straight…
1st Prince rarely performs, if you’re in the know, he has hip problems, cannot really stand for a long period of time. Go back and watch the show and see how he holds onto Patti. He needs surgery but because of his religion cannot have blood transfusions and refused treatment. He was in NYC 3 weeks ago with Larry Graham and performed for 10 minutes and left. That’s not Prince. Then again, he’s a legend, if he doesn’t want to he doesn’t have to. I’m sure he was given the option, but again, because of his situation, he declined.
2nd. Trey Songz was not the right person to sing Purple Rain. My face would have shown that as well.
3rd. Alicia Keys pregnant behind better wear lower heels and stop jumping on pianos. The person who should have sang The Beautiful Ones: Mariah Carey. She did an excellent version of it on her Butterfly album some years back.
4th. Beyonce needs a break, glad to see her not there. Rest up those vocals for another killer CD
5th. If you haven’t seen Esperanza Spaulding live. I suggest you do so. That chick is a powerhouse. But then again, you have to be an adult and like jazz or open to listening to other music besides hip hop.
The only thing I wished BET could have added: The Time, Sheila E., Alexander O’Neal, Chaka Khan (singing that is cause she was there) and a reunion with THE REVOLUTION!!! That would have been epic!!
You saud it all!! I Completely Agree, and thank you so much for saying what I was thinking!
Alicia on top of the piano was crazy. She looked sexy as hell.
*in my Dave Chappelle* “GAME….BLOUSES.” LMAO…
Janelle Monae, A. Keys & Patti LaBelle KILT it!!! Great Performance energy, stop the HATE in 2010 people! These people sing every DAMN day for a living, they’re not gonna be PERFECT at it all the time! (R U PERFECT at yours everyday?)
the performances were wonderful. did anyone see keisha cole behind prince during la belle’s performance?
the overrall tribute was below average.
Alicia did the best out of the 4.
JM was trying to hard
Esperanza was boring
Patti just yelled the entire song
Prince didnt seem to thrilled either.
I would have loved to see him perform though
there will never be another Prince Roger Nelson!! they imitate but never duplicate!! i’m so glad they had Stevie Wonder to to do the intro because, to me, they are the best to ever do it as far as writing, producing, arranging, performing & playing every instrument on their songs. Geniuses!!! Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) will always be the world’s greatest entertainer but Prince is right up there with him in my book. but BET needed to do an entire show dedicated to celebrating Prince because of his catalog. i don’t know how they narrowed it down to just four songs. four songs!? c’mon BET!!
@CRYS
Honey I think BET was just happy that Prince showed up to that mess after what happened last year.
Loved the tribute. Prince was thinking the same thing we ALL were thing about some of those people. I just wish he would have performed!!!!
HE DID NOT LIKE TREY SONGZ PERFORMANCE…NOPE!
The shade Prince threw at Trey Songz (for his terrible performance) will stay with me, in my memory, forever.
It was CLASSIC Prince.
TO ME HIS FACIAL EXPRESSION, WERE LIKE “GET IT GIRL” , “NO SHE DIDN’T” AND “DO YOUR THING”:, I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU PEOPLE SAW
ALL PERFORMANCES WERE GREAT
I was very disappointed in this tribute. Say what you want body language DOES NOT LIE. The varied looks on Prince face was real he couldn’t help that. But of course he is still grateful. Most of all i was disappointed that Prince didn’t perform(: Does anyone know who was the woman seated next to Prince?
All of these experts on body languange, LMAO, SMH
LOVE, LOVE PRINCE SHIRT
I think the prince tribute was just ok. I think the main reason he was making those facial expressions is because he was annoyed with the slight lack of star power in his tribute. Not quite sure if he knew who Monae and Esperanza was, but I think he at least liked Monae’s energy. When Alicia Keys came out, that particualt expression he made was a sigh of “relief.” And he was shocked that she got up on that piana, but wish she would have sung “How Come You Don’t Call Me.” Patti left him a little puzzled. Obviously they saved the biggest for last, but Patti kinda dragged in the middle of “Purple Rain.” Looked like she was carrying a baby too by the way, lmao. But Patti saved in in the end, gotta luv Patti tho.’ Her kicking those shoes off was the highlight of that whole set, cause those corns were howlin.’ Prince did a side eye to Trey’s weak rendition of his biggest hit, and it was understood. Somebody like Trey is worthy enough to sing his biggest hit, WEAK!(And he stole Maxwell’s award for Best Male R&B) Would have been a better tribute if Chaka Khan, Badu, and even Sheila E added. BET saved the best for last and didn’t quite deliver in full.
#25 I agree. The people on here thinking otherwise are just tryna create DRAMA as usual. This tribute was a favorite of mine! Loved it! The people who performed were actually ARTISTS! Loved that Janelle and Esperanza got some shine. And of course Patti was hittin them notes lol!
Ok, this is why I should have proofread my paragraph. I meant to say Trey ISN”T worthy enough to sing his biggest hit, and I made a few typos. It’s the morning, so much to say, my fault.
PRINCE!!!!! <——— HIS FACIAL EXPRESSION WERE PURE COMEDY. WISH HE WOULD HAVE SANG. OVERALL GR8 TRIBUTE.
IF I EVER SEE PATTY IS PERSON… I’MA FIGHT HER!!!!
SHE’S JUST TOO IGNORANT!
I was disappointed in the tribute this year, and BET is usually good with it, the Earth, Wind & Fire one in ’02, The O’Jay’s last year, James Brown in ’05, etc. Prince has so many songs in his catalog and knowing that he wouldn’t perform (which I was wishing and hoping that he would) they should have utilized it. Where was “Dove’s Cry”, “1999″, “I Wanna Be Your Lover”, ” I Would Die 4 You”. Freakin’ Chaka Khan was right there and she could have done “I Feel For You” which was originally his song. They needed more to get the people out of their seats. After Janelle Monae, those great songs became long, slow and drawn out. Don’t even get me started on Trey. I’ve come to the conclusion that he is not too good of a singer. Still like him though.
Prince is a TRUE musical genius! We should reserve that title for people who really deserve it. Janelle Monae & Esperanza Spaulding were fantastic!!!
Moni, I agree that a reunion with The Revolution would have been epic! That was my favorite Prince era.
PRINCE IS STILL ONE OF THE GREATEST!!!!!!! …& HE COULD STILL GET IT!
Every artist you guys have named, Prince has privately criticized them in love. Someone named Beyonce and Alicia Keyes, he told both of them to practice their musical scales in order to have more control over their vocals. Let me tell you why he could say that. It’s not because he’s Prince, it’s because Prince is not only a singer, but a learner. These new artists are products (Rihanna, Beyonce, Alicia K, etc.). There is no learning about music theory, and the science behind music, and that is what Prince has mastered. So yeah, I don’t blame him. He has spent years trying to mentor some of these amateurs that some of you guys readily call legends and as you say, they laugh to the bank, but the are murdering real music.
@14
I agree with your entire comment, well said.
wish he would’ve performed. all i’m saying.
@26 The lady beside Prince is Shelby Johnson aka Shelby J. She has been a background singer for Prince for many years. Now she has a group called
“Black Gypsy”. They are hot. Check them out on Itunes, and CD Baby.
LOL @21 agreed.
Great performances by all the ladies, but where were Morris Day & The Time, Sheila E., etc. etc.???
CIARA IS WHAT WAS MISSING ON THAT STAGE LAST NIGHT!
can someone please get Janelle a hotcomb??
I WISH LENNY KRAVITZ WAS A PART OF THIS TRIBUTE…LENNY WOULD HAVE MURDERED “LETS GO CRAZY”
CRYS, shut the hell up, Prince was completely grateful you dont know WTF you are talking about, dont judge a person over something so DUMB you’re pointing out, he is PRINCE he dont have to stand, you better be happy he agreed to come, SMFH@you, always takes a dummy to try to say something negative over a positive moment
ANYWAYZ, Prince is amazing! LONG LIVE HIS PURPLE HIGHNESS!!!!!!!! EVERYONE TAKE NOTE ON HOW ITS SUPPOSE TO BE DONE!
Janelle killed it!!!!!!!!! Shout out to Janelle who trumped all the artists who WISHED they could do a tribute to Prince! take note – GOOD, INSPIRATIONAL music and good hearted ppl get to have such an honor!!!
BENJAMIN, you dont know what you are talking about with Prince wasnt happy with the star power in the tribute, Prince selected the artist he wanted to do his tribute, since most of todays artists could NEVER do him justice (alla trey songz) and they did a HELL of JOB!!!!!!!
He was in a no-win situation with the facial expressions. Imagine being in his position and knowing the camera is right on you and that people are just waiting for you to do “something” that will have the internet buzzing all day. I thought he handled it well and his speech was very gracious. Trey Songz was out of his league and thats ok. Perhaps it will inspire him as a live performer in the future. Prince has the set the bar so high and I have been spoiled as fan of his live performances through the years. I agree with #20 that a whole show should be dedicated to him. His catalogue is massive and hearing “Purple Rain” twice in one night is beyond comprehension in light of that. I feel privileged that I have so much of his work and have had the pleasure of seeing him six times.
Shelia E, MorrisDay, Jerome, the time, the revolution, the NPG…all of them should have turned up for Prince. Hell, even Appolonia could have gotten up there. Maxwell, Lenny Kravitz…a host of others could have made a better tribute. Patti was there, so was Chaka…why didn’t she sing for her boy though. An all out Jam with him and his old crews would have brought down the house. Where the heck were Wendy and Lisa? Come on now!! He is music royalty, he deserved more. Alicia did it right, she sang that song which any real singer will tell you is next to impossible to do. Prince had angels in the studio when he recorded that, because it is among the top vocally challenging songs ever sang in Pop music history
But his speech…okay, yeah whatever Prince (dude never was good with words unless he was singing, so i give him a pass on that tip)
oh and let me just add, Prince could have gave MJ a shout out…damn it has been a year and he will not big up his boy? WTF, they were secretly friends
@ Crystal, how was my comments negative? I am going by this man face expressions and everything I said was absolutely true. Obviously If noone agree with you , they are dumb, broad get over yourself and my opinions are my opinions If you don’t like it, guess what I don’t give a damn. My comments were negative but most of the post said the same exact thing about his face expression, only I said he look ungrateful and unappreciative, regardless who Prince is there is no denial he is a wonderful artist and extremely talented, If that was me I don’t give a fuck if a blind ass monkey was performing my songs to honor me, I would be grateful , he struggle just like most of these artists . He was honored, he knew he was going to be on tv it’s really no excuse he been performing and been on awards for decades now . So GTFOH with that mess, if we all agree we all be some boring individuals .
The Prince trib was weak…Sorry, but it’s true. Patti saved it a lil bit and Alicia pumped it too by jumping on that piano. I’m a huge Trey Songz fan, but last night was not his “A” game. He sounded like he had been crying or just getting over a cold. Anyway…BET should have had done a better job honoring Prince. BTW Prince has a hip injury so that’s why he couldn’t perform.
Alicia Keys did WAY too damn much. She should have sang, “Why Don’t You Call Me Anymore?” because she already remade it. Damn. Pregnant ass. Someone else could of did it. And Patti? You wrong. Janelle killed it, and went crazy. I loved her performace.
Now I understand why Prince never had a tribute show, the people were patheic.
Prince said a while ago that he wasn’t going to perform live anymore. I forgot why if he even said why.
Sheila E, morris day, the time etc thats all expected
ALICIA KEYS CANNOT SING W/ HER CRACKING VOCALS. SHE SOUNDED HORRIBLE
bless your heart Crys, for you to say someone isnt grateful because they didnt stand up (which he did stand up more than ONCE and you prolly only saw what the camera showed) is lame, and his facial expressions were comical , he clearly enjoyed himself
he dont have to perform, he’s Prince , he can just sit and chill and enjoy :-p
ME , Prince has given honor to MJJ more than once since his death, he performed a 15 tribute to MJJ at his last concert in November, lame shot, know your facts before you open your mouth, it was PRINCE’s moment
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I HATED Trey Songz version of Purple Rain. He lacks the vocal talent to pull that off. Other than that, the BET Awards show was absolutely awesome. Every year they never cease to amaze me with all the wonderful performances and surprises. RIP Michael, I love you forever. Chris Brown would have made you proud!
I love you Patti ! ! !
Prince is the —— can’t find the words. Seeing him in concert is amazing ! ! !