Musicians pay tribute to late pop icon Prince at BET Awards

Social activism was a theme of the night, with Humanitarian Award victor, Jesse Williams of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, dedicating his award to black women “who have spent their lives dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves” and calling for change. Perhaps one of the most emotional speeches of the evening came from Humanitarian Award victor, Jesse Williams.

Even Samuel L. Jackson applauded Williams later, saying it was like hearing from a 1960s activist.

Williams demanded an end to police violence against blacks, mentioning the names of several victims, and got a standing ovation.

“A system built to impoverish, divide and destroy us can not stand if we do”, he said. Speaking on police-involved shootings of people of color, the actor/activist said he and others have been “looking at the data and we know that police somehow manage to de-escalate, disarm and not kill white people every day”.

“That brother is right and he’s true”, said Jackson, as he picked up his award. “They said boy you better try and make some music but you can’t do it because Prince is the truth”. “Don’t get tricked like they got tricked in London!” he said, seeming to refer to the European Union referendum.

Elsewhere, Usher ended his performance of “No Limit” with Young Thung by turning his back to the audience and revealing his jacket, emblazoned with the words “Don’t Trump America”.

Below, D’Angelo’s last Prince tribute was in April on “The Tonight Show”, when he performed “Sometimes it Snows In April” just days after the singer’s death.

Jennifer Hudson belted out the lyrics while Roots’ guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas handled the guitar solo on “Purple Rain”.

Prince’s former fiancée and longtime collaborator Sheila E. closed the show with a medley of Prince’s hits including Earthquake, Erotic City, Let’s Work and U Got the Look.

The Roots guitarist Kirk Douglas also joined Wonder for a performance. And he wasn’t shy about showing them off.

Queen Bey took home four awards, including Video of the Year, which her mother accepted for her. All in all, it was a continual masterclass in giving it up to someone as deeply loved and respected as Prince. In a surprise win, the singer won best male R&B/pop artist, besting Chris Brown, The Weeknd, Tyrese and Jeremih.

Prince wasn’t the only icon honored Sunday – Muhammad Ali was remembered by his daughter and Jamie Foxx.