John Legend got the crowd on their feet as he performed Prince’s hit Let’s Go Crazy with Shelia E. during night three of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday.
But there’s been mixed reactions to Legend’s rendition, with some fans of the late Prince describing it as less than ‘legendary’ and out of his range.
Others felt that Legend wasn’t the right fit for the song and that Shelia E. should’ve performed solo.
Now, Prince’s former manager and attorney, L. Londell McMillian, is weighing in on the online scrutiny, and it turns out he’s more forgiving than Legend’s detractors.
McMillian, 58, who saw Legend’s DNC performance in-person, told TMZ he thinks he did a fine job.
John Legend got the crowd on their feet as he performed Prince’s hit Let’s Go Crazy with Shelia E. during night three of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday
But there’s been mixed reactions to Legend’s rendition, with some fans of the late Prince describing it as less than ‘legendary’ and out of his range
However, he shared a disclaimer that there’s only one Prince.
McMillan was thrust into the limelight back in 1996 when Prince hired him to free him from his multi-year contract with Warner Bros., ultimately winning the case, giving his career a huge boost at just 30, Crain’s New York Business reports.
The New York City native — who has had such other high-profile clients as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lil’ KIm and Chaka Khan — said he feels everybody is entitled to their own opinions about Legend’s performance.
He went on to marvel at Prince’s ability to craft a powerful message with his music, and even though he has since passed on in April 2016, his message was again felt at the DNC in Chicago.
Let’s Go Crazy served as the opening track for Prince And The Revolution’s now classic studio album Purple Rain, as well as the second single off the album that was released back in June 1984.
The track turned out to be one of those enduring hit that was a staple at his concerts and often used as a segue way into his other songs.
The song has the distinction of being Prince’s second number one hit to top the Billboard Hot 100, all while topping such other charts at the time as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Others felt that Legend wasn’t the right fit for the song and that Shelia E. (left) should’ve performed solo
Now, Prince’s former manager and attorney, L. Londell McMillian, is weighing in on the online outcry, and it turns out he’s more forgiving than Legend’s detractors; McMillian seen with Prince
McMillian, 58, who saw the DNC performance in-person, told TMZ he thinks Legend did a fine job; seen in 2023
Let’s Go Crazy, which served as the second single and opening track off Purple Rain, went on to become Prince’s second number one hit
Sheila E. (born Sheila Cecilia Escovedo), 66, started to collaborate with the Minneapolis, Minnesota legend after she broke off with her old band in 1983.
The experience would help the so-called Queen Of Percussion pave out a solo career, leading to her debut 1984 album that included her biggest hit, The Glamorous Life.
While Legend is similar to Prince in that he’s a well-rounded musician that can play instruments and sing, his music has leans more on smooth and jazzy, with lots of R&B flavor.
The EGOT winner is poised to release his 10th studio album, My Favorite Dream, on August 30, which marks his first foray into children’s music.
He already dropped the first single, L-O-V-E, two weeks ago, featuring wife Chrissy Teigen, their six-year-old son Miles and eight-year-old daughter Luna.
