Madonna paid tribute to her collaborator and friend, Prince, at her performance at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on May 22, Sunday. She sang two songs, "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Purple Rain," and her performance included a surprise Stevie Wonder appearance.
Madonna's number was to pay homage to Prince, a legendary artist who had shaken music for almost four decades and had an extremely imposing stage presence. However, the Internet's reactions to her performance were mostly eye-rolls. Some said the performance has less energy and she sang the songs flatly or picked a wrong song as Prince had made so many famous hits and performed with so much energy, E! News reported.
A close friend of Prince, Tamron Hall whose selfie was on the cover of the late singer's 2015 single, "If Eye Could Get Ur Attention," loves Madonna but was not impressed by the tribute, US Weekly reported. "I've learned in the last few weeks there's Prince the artist and then there's Prince the personal part of my life," she said on the May 23 episode of the "Today" show.
Hall admitted she did not like Madonna's rendition. "I'm just being honest, and I love Madonna," she added.
The BMA 2016 is the first super-hyped and spotlighted show tribute dedicated to Prince since his sudden death on April 21. Prince meant various things to many people with so much music that he made, so there was something for everyone in the end.
A favorite Prince song may not be in the list of another Prince fan. Some love his hits during the 1980s while others weep upon hearing "Purple Rain" without even watching the movie. The artist could please crowds, but not all people showed up for similar reasons.
Madonna who is usually a respected singer is not spared of critics who grab available chances. She took to Instagram to respond to criticism of her tribute to Prince. The "Material Girl" singer then posted a video of herself dancing and quoting a line from her 1994 song "Human Nature."
Madonna was defended by other artists as well, like Celine Dion and Questlove. The latter, who introduced her performance on May 22, Sunday, also took to Twitter.
The following video shows some of the highlights of the 2016 Billboard awards, including Madonna's tribute to Prince.