The emotional weight of D’Angelo’s 2016 tribute to Prince on ‘The Tonight Show,’ featuring Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum, resonates profoundly anew following D’Angelo’s own passing in 2025. This article delves into the heartfelt performance and Princess, Maya Rudolph’s Prince cover band, celebrating the enduring legacy of an undeniable musical hero.
The sudden death of Prince in April 2016 sent shockwaves through the music world, leaving an immense void and prompting countless tributes. Among the most memorable and deeply moving was D’Angelo’s performance of “Sometimes It Snows in April” on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,’ a tribute that now carries an even heavier emotional significance after D’Angelo’s own passing in October 2025 at the age of 51.
This neo-soul legend, known for his famously reclusive nature, graced the stage with comedic actress Maya Rudolph and singer Gretchen Lieberum, delivering a performance that transcended mere cover to become a sung eulogy for the departed icon. It was a moment that captured the raw grief and profound admiration felt by artists and fans alike.
D’Angelo’s Heartrending ‘Tonight Show’ Homage
On April 26, 2016, just days after Prince’s death, D’Angelo took to the ‘Tonight Show’ stage, joined by Rudolph and Lieberum on backup vocals. He performed “Sometimes It Snows in April,” a poignant ballad from Prince’s 1986 “Parade” album. The choice of song, not a chart-topping hit, allowed D’Angelo’s interpretation to feel intimate and incredibly personal.
Playing the piano, D’Angelo was visibly on the brink of tears, his voice laden with emotion. He personalized the tribute by changing a key lyric, singing, “I often dream of heaven and I know that Prince is there,” while pointing heavenward. This alteration turned the ballad into a direct farewell, a raw expression of loss that resonated deeply with viewers. Rudolph and Lieberum’s harmonies provided a tender backdrop, enhancing the performance’s solemn beauty.
The moment was powerful, as described by a fan on ‘The Tonight Show’s’ Facebook post, feeling “like Prince just gave him his purple wings,” underscoring the spiritual connection felt during the tribute.
Princess: Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum’s Dedicated Prince Cover Band
The presence of Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum on ‘The Tonight Show’ was particularly fitting, given their shared dedication to Prince’s music through their five-year-old cover band, Princess. Just days after their ‘Tonight Show’ appearance, Princess delivered their own heartfelt tribute at the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin on April 23, 2016.
The festival gig, originally a scheduled performance, transformed into a vital, sold-out homage after Prince’s unexpected death. Taking the purple-lit stage, Rudolph began with a poignant address, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the one-of-a-kind, most brilliant, most special, most magical, most fucking incredible Prince Rogers Nelson. He was our hero. We loved him. And he has completely shaped our world.” This emotional opening set the tone for an evening of both mourning and defiant celebration.
Rudolph and Lieberum shared deeply personal stories about their introductions to Prince’s music. Rudolph recalled her older cousin introducing her to “Dirty Mind” at age nine, while Lieberum shared her experience seeing “Purple Rain” at age eleven, describing it as her awakening to “horny” feelings. These anecdotes connected with the audience, highlighting the universal and deeply personal impact Prince had on his fans.
The duo even recounted meeting Prince backstage after one of his concerts. Rudolph tearfully shared that Prince knew about their band, Princess, and “really supported it, because he knew that it came from love.” Lieberum added a truly mind-blowing detail: Prince told them he had them “programmed in my DVR,” a testament to his appreciation for their genuine adoration.
Their powerful setlist at Moontower was a journey through Prince’s iconic early work, heavy on tracks from albums like “Dirty Mind,” “Controversy,” “1999,” and “Purple Rain.” It included fan favorites such as “Let’s Go Crazy,” “The Beautiful Ones,” and “Darling Nikki,” complete with its infamous backward part. The emotional climax came with an encore of “Purple Rain,” leaving not a dry eye in the house as Rudolph and Lieberum cried in each other’s arms, tossing bouquets into the swaying crowd. Rudolph encapsulated the communal grief and defiant spirit, stating, “You never think your heroes are going to die… now I just want to sing more songs. I know that’s what Prince would do.” Details of this heartfelt performance were extensively covered by Rolling Stone.
D’Angelo’s Enduring Legacy and Questlove’s Connection
The profundity of D’Angelo’s tribute to Prince gained another layer of depth with D’Angelo’s own death on October 14, 2025. His passing from pancreatic cancer at 51 marked another profound loss for the music world, as reported by NBC News. The 2016 ‘Tonight Show’ performance now serves as a double tribute, honoring not only Prince but also the late D’Angelo himself, who delivered such a powerful expression of grief and admiration.
A strong connection to ‘The Tonight Show’ for D’Angelo was through his longtime friend and collaborator, Questlove, the bandleader for ‘The Roots.’ Questlove famously co-produced D’Angelo’s critically acclaimed 2000 album, Voodoo, which earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Their creative partnership also extended to D’Angelo’s 2014 album, Black Messiah, further cementing a bond built on musical genius and mutual respect. Questlove’s presence on the show provided a quiet but significant anchor for D’Angelo’s emotional performance.
The Undying Spirit of Prince Through His Music
The tributes from D’Angelo, Maya Rudolph, and Gretchen Lieberum exemplify the monumental impact Prince had on generations of musicians and fans. Their performances were not just covers but deeply personal expressions of love, grief, and inspiration. Rudolph’s reflection that “you never think your heroes are going to die” speaks to the universal shock of losing such a singular talent. Yet, as she continued, singing Prince’s songs felt therapeutic, scratching “an itch that I can’t explain,” embodying the healing power of music.
These heartfelt tributes, particularly D’Angelo’s now doubly poignant performance, ensure that Prince’s musical spirit continues to resonate. They remind us that while artists may pass, their work lives on, inspiring new interpretations and fostering communal connections that transcend time.
