In light of all the controversy that was born out of Billboard's announcement of Madonna paying tribute to Prince. I'd thought it would be cool to see what everyone's ideal tribute would look like if they wore the program director's hat themselves...

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Hopefully this thread fits this format. Everyone, put your (PD) Program Director's hat on and take a shot at programming an upcoming tribute to Prince......Please include how long the total set would be. Whether or not you'd include a commercial break. The placement of the tribute, (Opening, Middle, Finale, etc) The artist you'd choose and the time alloted for each song.....

Well.....the only person I'd let sing is D'Angelo. In my 38 years of following Prince, his performance of "Sometimes It Snows In April" is the only time I have ever seen anyone attempt a Prince song and not embarrass themselves. The fact to me is, Prince was simply so good and so unique that his vocal tone and melodic style just can't be replicated. So no one should try (except for the afore-mentioned D'Angelo).

So, I'd go heavy on the video. I'd probably start out hard, get a little softer, then go to some Prince interview footage - going from outrageous to introspective. After the most introspective interview snippet I could find, I'd put D'Angelo in, performing Smonetimes It Snows In April live, then go back to 5 minutes or so of rocking Prince video footage.

RodeoSchro said:

Well.....the only person I'd let sing is D'Angelo. In my 38 years of following Prince, his performance of "Sometimes It Snows In April" is the only time I have ever seen anyone attempt a Prince song and not embarrass themselves. The fact to me is, Prince was simply so good and so unique that his vocal tone and melodic style just can't be replicated. So no one should try (except for the afore-mentioned D'Angelo).

So, I'd go heavy on the video. I'd probably start out hard, get a little softer, then go to some Prince interview footage - going from outrageous to introspective. After the most introspective interview snippet I could find, I'd put D'Angelo in, performing Smonetimes It Snows In April live, then go back to 5 minutes or so of rocking Prince video footage.

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I can understand the temptation in going with someone who is talented and a faithful disciple as D'. I would like to see a melting pot of talent that he influenced or collaborated with, (Black, White, Puerto Rican, everybody just a freakin)

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I don't think the objective is replicating Prince, (that's simply not possible anyway). I feel you though.

I think Prince deserves his own two hour music special. Somewhat like CBS/Grammys did for The Beatles. Considering his vast catalog, this format would be the most comprehensive approach.

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Likewise, if a network say, BET used their time wisely for their BET Awards Show, they could dedicate a 30-40 minute set out of their 3 hour telecast to pay tribute.

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Potential Artists

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Patti LaBelle - "If I Was Your Girlfriend"

Janelle Monae -

Santana -

Bruno Mars - "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man"

D'Angelo -

Sandra St. Victor - "The Beautiful Ones"

Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'arby -

The Bangles (Do they still play?) - "Manic Monday"

The Revolution

NPG - (Take Your Pick)

3rdEyeGirl - (Take Your Pick)

The Time - (Take your pick)

The Family - "Screams of Passion"

Sheila E - (Take your pick)

Madhouse

Kim Burrell

Tonex/B. Slade

Kirk Franklin Feat. Yolanda Adams - "Everywhere"

Miguel

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Rosie Gaines - "Nothing Compares 2 U" (If She's Up To It) I remember reading Prince saying that he wouldn't ever play that song again without Rosie Gaines singing with him. Maybe she feels the same.

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Robert Glasper

PRIVATE

Lenny Kravitz

Daley

Frank Ocean (maybe, dude's live performances are a little sketchy)

Chaka Khan

Foo Fighters

George Clinton w/NPG - "We Can Funk"

Ready For The World -

Mint Condition -

Clare Fischer Orchestra (Directed by Brent Fischer)

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This is all that came mind off the top of my head. I'll have to give actual song selections more thought.

[Edited 5/23/16 22:40pm]

[Edited 5/24/16 5:35am]

Musicslave said:

Santana -

[...]

Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'arby -

Santana did a good version of Last December, so put him down for that:



TTD's got that bit of grit in his voice, and a ballsiness, so I could imagine him doing something like Baby, I'm a Star. Tbh, he's one of the few singers I could imagine doing justice to Purple Rain, giving it the feel of one of his slow numbers like Holding On To You.

[Edited 5/24/16 3:40am]

deebee said:

Musicslave said:

Santana -

[...]

Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'arby -

Santana did a good version of Last December, so put him down for that:



TTD's got that bit of grit in his voice, and a ballsiness, so I could imagine him doing something like Baby, I'm a Star. Tbh, he's one of the few singers I could imagine doing justice to Purple Rain, giving it the feel of one of his slow numbers like Holding On To You.

[Edited 5/24/16 3:40am]

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Great suggestions. Terence would kill those numbers. I thought about Janelle doing "Baby, I'm A Star" too. Since she's already tackled, "Let's Go Crazy" @ Prince's request.

I would put Shelie E in charge and let her go to work.

Graycap23 said:

I would put Shelia E in charge and let her go to work.

I concur.

Graycap23 said:

I would put Shelie E in charge and let her go to work.

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Smart man!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Gary Clark Jr and Maxwell need to be here.

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I've thought about both and hadn't came up with the right songs. Good look.

Musicslave said:

Why does it have to be people who already famous and successful? Wouldn't that be just for ratings?

Prince nutured new and up and coming talent and was always looking for what was next. Why not get new and relatively unknown artists to tribute him?

That way it's not a nostalgia trip but shows how he is still influencing people to get involved in music. And it would be a great way for new artists to find an audience if they were on a national tv program.

Glindathegood said:

Why does it have to be people who already famous and successful? Wouldn't that be just for ratings?

Prince nutured new and up and coming talent and was always looking for what was next. Why not get new and relatively unknown artists to tribute him?

That way it's not a nostalgia trip but shows how he is still influencing people to get involved in music. And it would be a great way for new artists to find an audience if they were on a national tv program.

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Sure thing! Who would you suggest?

deebee said:

Musicslave said:

Santana -

[...]

Sananda Maitreya aka Terence Trent D'arby -

Santana did a good version of Last December, so put him down for that:



TTD's got that bit of grit in his voice, and a ballsiness, so I could imagine him doing something like Baby, I'm a Star. Tbh, he's one of the few singers I could imagine doing justice to Purple Rain, giving it the feel of one of his slow numbers like Holding On To You.

[Edited 5/24/16 3:40am]

Sananda Maitreya doing "Purple Rain" with the feel of "Holding On To You" would truly be incredible. That is one artist who could really pull off something incredible.