Comedian Dave Chappelle pays tribute to late singer

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April 24, 2016 11:27 AM

Dave Chappelle in 2004 donned a purple ruffled blouse, some eyeliner, and for that, he became associated with the Prince brand for the next decade.

This week, as the world grieved Princes tragic death at the age of 57, it was only natural to think back to Chappelles Prince sketch with Charlie Murphy.

Chappelle told an audience Friday during a four-hour Prince tribute show in San Francisco, "This is black 9/11. I almost thought about not coming tonight, but my band was like, 'Yo, Prince would definitely not condone that."

READ: Actor, Will Smith, mourns Prince

With the room bathed in purple light, the stand-up comedian told stories about Prince while his band played the artist's greatest songs. He also revealed to the audience that he only got to know of The Purple One's death via media inquiries.

"I kept wondering all day, 'Why are they calling me?,' Chappelle said of the media inquiries. "I'll tell you what: I didn't know him well, but I knew him well." The comedian added of the mood following Prince's death, "This is black 9/11." He noted, however, "It's so much better that we grieve together." reports Rolling Stone

Prince actually loved the Chappelle's 2013 impersonation with the "Breakfast Can Wait" single, but did not fancy the chance of appearing in the sketch.

Donnell Rawlings, a Chappelle show castmember told The Hollywood Reporter, "Dave wanted Prince to be in the sketch, and he asked him about it, and Prince told Dave, 'Yeah, nah.'" Rawlings said. "And that's true to Prince's fashion with dialogue. You'll probably never hear of Prince talking more than three sentences."

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