An incredible, yet emotional, goodbye. Sheila E. paid tribute to Prince during the 2016 BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, closing the show by performing a medley of the late music icon’s hits.
Prince’s longtime collaborator and former fiancée kicked off her performance of “The Purple Medley” behind the drums and sang a variety of Prince’s hits, including “Earthquake,” “Erotic City,” “Let’s Work,” “U Got the Look,” “America the Beautiful,” and “Baby I’m a Star.” She also performed her 1984 hit “The Glamorous Life,” which was written by Prince.
The powerhouse singer — who danced barefoot and glided across the stage with a bevy of energetic backup dancers — ended her performance by lifting her purple guitar to the air as confetti fell from the sky while she tried to hold back tears.
“It’s about his legacy,” Sheila E. told Entertainment Tonight prior to the awards show. “Those songs, he left them for us forever. They are forever embedded in all of us, and I think we’re going to have a wonderful time.”
Prince died at the age of 57 on April 21 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl.
The legendary artist was also honored by Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu, the Roots, Tori Kelly, Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson, who performed a flawless rendition of “Purple Rain.”
Watch Sheila E.’s performance above.