June 27, 2011 by: Kristin Wong
Music has taken quite a hit this year. We lost artists like Nate Dogg, M-Bone and Clarence Clemons, along with a handful of others.
Sunday night’s BET awards memorialized those musicians that lost their lives this year, and presented the legendary Patti Labelle with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cali Swag District took the stage with Doug E. Fresh to remember M-Bone, who passed away in May. “We love you bro,” they said.
Gil Scott-Heron, a legendary American jazz poet and musician, also passed away in May. Queen Latifah honored him with his poem, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Soul singer and songwriter Teena Marie also passed away recently, and during the show, she was honored as “one of the greatest soul singers".
Warren G and Snoop Dogg performed Regulators in a tribute to Nate Dogg, and there was a solo sax performance in memory of Clarence Clemons, who passed away last week.
While these artists needed to be remembered, it wasn’t all mourning during the show. Patti Labelle was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. Labelle made hits of New Attitude, Stir It Up, and Lady Marmalade.
Cee Lo Green appeared onstage, dressed as the legendary singer, to sing a rendition of Somebody Loves You. Labelle seemed entertained by the performance, and eventually joined Green onstage. At 66 years old, Labelle is still performing on tour. And if Sunday night’s performance was any indication, the woman can still get a crowd going.
Sunday night’s BET awards memorialized those musicians that lost their lives this year, and presented the legendary Patti Labelle with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cali Swag District took the stage with Doug E. Fresh to remember M-Bone, who passed away in May. “We love you bro,” they said.
Gil Scott-Heron, a legendary American jazz poet and musician, also passed away in May. Queen Latifah honored him with his poem, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Soul singer and songwriter Teena Marie also passed away recently, and during the show, she was honored as “one of the greatest soul singers".
Warren G and Snoop Dogg performed Regulators in a tribute to Nate Dogg, and there was a solo sax performance in memory of Clarence Clemons, who passed away last week.
While these artists needed to be remembered, it wasn’t all mourning during the show. Patti Labelle was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. Labelle made hits of New Attitude, Stir It Up, and Lady Marmalade.
Cee Lo Green appeared onstage, dressed as the legendary singer, to sing a rendition of Somebody Loves You. Labelle seemed entertained by the performance, and eventually joined Green onstage. At 66 years old, Labelle is still performing on tour. And if Sunday night’s performance was any indication, the woman can still get a crowd going.
