Grammy-winning producer Keith Harris has teamed up with Brooklyn Nine-Nine star/musician Craig Robinson and Jordin Sparks to honor Prince on what would have been the Purple One’s 62nd birthday with a lively cover of the late rock icon’s “Purple Rain.” The refreshed take has Robinson and Sparks trading vocals on a high-energy take on the title track from the 1984 album and movie of the same name.
Drummer Harris, best known for his work on the Black Eyed Peas’ “Imma Be” and Estelle’s “American Boy,” is joined on the track by Renard Hughes (aka Church Boi) with additional vocals, Andre Bowman on bass and Brandon “Chap” Chapman on guitar. Prince, who was born on June 7, 1958, died at age 57 on April 21, 2016, of an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl.
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The Prince Estate also paid homage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer on Sunday with a powerful, handwritten message about intolerance in the midst of national protests sparked by the police killing of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. “Nothing more ugly in the whole wide world than INTOLERANCE (between) Black, white, red, yellow, boy or girl. INTOLERANCE,” reads the handwritten note, which had been kept in his personal archives.
Watch a video teaser of the “Purple Rain” cover and listen to the full version below, as well as some other well-wishes from musicians and friends.
Happy birthday my beautiful friend. U R missed 💜 Thank u 4 all U gave and sacrificed 4 the Love of Music. 🙏🏽 #Prince #PrinceDay #Prince4Ever pic.twitter.com/VOauTf0BpK
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) June 7, 2020
Happy birthday prince, u made this life so much more beautiful. Rip pic.twitter.com/xstw1YpVJc
— internet killed the rockstar (@MODSUN) June 7, 2020
Although he didn’t celebrate his Birthday 💜 it’s hard not to honer him on the day he was born ☪️💜 #prince pic.twitter.com/a7gAF0VYgZ
— Carmen Electra (@carmenelectra) June 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/andyallo/status/1269770948304965633
Today is Prince’s birthday. He loved MN and we loved him. Let’s honor him by remembering his message of fighting racism and injustice. We miss our superstar next door every day☔️💜 https://t.co/BzrTEzAAWs
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 7, 2020
Happy birthday Prince. #HBDPrince pic.twitter.com/uT1zExlNxG
— First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) June 7, 2020
I’m a gigantic Prince fan. I loved him so much and had the privilege of knowing him a tiny bit. The legacy he left behind is so important and fantastic, and his messages of love, peace, emotion and struggle resonate more now than ever… pic.twitter.com/oWRsaaaG31
— Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) June 7, 2020