New Yorkers Pay Tribute to Prince

The city is awash in purple as New Yorkers mourn the death of yet another music legend this year. Last night, cries of “Purple Rain” and “Little Red Corvette” reverberated around our neighborhoods as people danced into the wee hours. 

Of course, there were plenty of Prince-ified drink specials on the menu and spur-of-the-moment themed parties.

Playing PRINCE joints tonight at the DJANGO (Basement of the Roxy Hotel) 11pm on https://t.co/Zp1f0zxbDN

— Chances with Wolves (@ChanceswWolves) April 21, 2016

#bossanovacivicclub looking pretty in #purple tonight! #Bushwick pic.twitter.com/81v3JdfYif

— Luis Nieto Dickens (@nietodickens) April 22, 2016

East village karaoke spontaneously turned into Prince memorial concert. https://t.co/T593TIJElj

— Sarah #Brooklyn Nir (@SarahMaslinNir) April 22, 2016

Via @goodroombk “we are open and for the next 2 hours are celebrating the music of #Prince with @bisradio. @mike.servito Is already on the dance floor. At midnight #Prosumer hits the decks. This is going to be a special night.” | Post by @meganificent Content Manager for @greenpointers

A photo posted by @greenpointers on Apr 21, 2016 at 9:32pm PDT

In the East Village, Cooper Union students partied like it was 1999.

Repost @djalibc #cooperunion #ripprince

A video posted by Miss Honey (@aya.brown) on Apr 21, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

In Williamsburg, Questlove held an epic Prince party at Brookyln Bowl–rumor is, Chris Rock made an appearance.

Representin. It’s Only Right. #Prince #BowlTrain #PurpleTRAIN #ThatDambFish

A photo posted by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Apr 21, 2016 at 8:52pm PDT

So this #princerip jam session at Brooklyn bowl with @questlove DJing is so necessary. Here with @msmarypryor. Walked in behind Chris Rock

— Charreah Jackson (@Charreah) April 22, 2016

In the land of funk. – – – #brooklynbowl #prince #brooklynsoul #bowltrain

A video posted by Ariel (@phony_braxton) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:10am PDT

Though, apparently, the public mourning and merrymaking didn’t sit well with everyone….

Greenpoint’s own Minnesota-themed bar Lake Street is having a Prince tribute tonight, playing all the jams and showing Purple Rain on the big screen. Also, their patio is open. #raspberryberet #purplerain #whendovescry @lakestbrooklyn | Post by @meganificent Content Manager for @greenpointers

A photo posted by @greenpointers on Apr 21, 2016 at 4:42pm PDT

blasting Prince all night—they had purple flowers, streamers, balloons, etc all covering the bar, and at one point the owners turned on…

— Eric Sundermann (@ericsundy) April 22, 2016

and kicked off “Raspberry Beret” and it was kind of magical—then I walked outside and some nerd in a pea coat with the collar up walked by..

— Eric Sundermann (@ericsundy) April 22, 2016

he saw the purple streamers on the door and said, “WOW, only BROOKLYN can take advantage of DEATH like this!!!!”

that guy fucking sucked.

— Eric Sundermann (@ericsundy) April 22, 2016

Well, peacoat guy need only have headed to Spike Lee’s Prince block party to see how it’s really done in Brooklyn:

Dancing in the streets of Brooklyn and celebrating the life of my first love. #prince #heartbroken #spikeleeblockparty #firstlove

A video posted by Polly Jones (@augusta_jones) on Apr 21, 2016 at 8:47pm PDT

PURPLE RAIN ….. PURPLE RAIN #ripprince #SpikeLeeBlockParty

A video posted by DAJ (@simplydaj) on Apr 21, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

Many tweeted or grammed their memories

I’ll never forget those parties on the Lower East Side where someone would just put the 1999 album on and let it play thru. #Prince

— Nicolas Falacci (@NickFalacci) April 21, 2016

“Dearly beloved/We are gathered here today/2 get through this thing called life.” Prince gave us so much. He inspired us with his pioneering spirit, he gifted us with the Minneapolis sound, and better yet, he left us music with 39 amazing studio albums to stand as his testament. We have no doubt that he will live on through his legacy but we can’t help but to feel like the world is shining just a little less bright today. Rest in peace, Prince. ✨

A photo posted by Strand Book Store, NYC (@strandbookstore) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:23am PDT

Such a bummer. We’ve had this clipping hanging on the register for the last two years honoring our recreational soccer team we named after the song. Wish I could find the find find the video of all of us drunk and shirtless in the middle of Don Pedro’s belting out the lyrics after the last game of our first season. Reign in Peace sweet prince

A photo posted by @strangewaysbk on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:24am PDT

We are saddened to learn about the death of the legendary Prince. Our hearts go out to his friends and family. Below BFF’s Creative Projects Coordinator, @gobacktonewhampshire reflects on his personal experience with the artist: ✨ “Growing up, I didn’t “get” Prince—I didn’t even want to. In the glimpses I had caught of his image, persona, and music, he seemed mostly unpleasant. From my POV, Prince dressed like Mozart, danced like a stripper, and made music that sounded as hollow and unappealing as anything I had ever heard. That all changed a few years ago when I dated a Superfan, who I decided to surprise with a pair of Purple Rain tickets when it was revived at a local cinema. Trapping myself in a theater with a giant projected image of the man himself, allowed me for the first time give him a chance—to try understand his essence. What the magnificent Purple Rain revealed to me was that everything Prince did, came from a place of passion. He believed in every outfit, every thrust, every note, and had the guts to be who he wanted to be, regardless of what anyone thought. Prince took everything that the average man, or even human, spends a lifetime trying to conceal, and laid it bare for all to see.” #purplerain #prince #rip

A photo posted by Bushwick Film Festival (@bushwickfilmfest) on Apr 21, 2016 at 2:29pm PDT

And made tributes

New episode of @makingdealszine Radio Had to put together a tribute mix. RIPPrince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) Listen nowLink in bio or at soundcloud.com/coldworld. Episode 20 Continuing our ALL MUSIC episodes with no guests. Playlist curated by cosbe Thank you ✌️⚡️☕️Link in bio above#MakingDealsZine #NYC #Brooklyn

A photo posted by Making Deals Radio/Zine (@makingdealszine) on Apr 21, 2016 at 8:39pm PDT

Some of them on the subways:

I love this pefect tribute to Prince at — where else — the Prince Street subway station in SoHo. #RIPprince #prince #signgeeks #nycprimeshot #nypix #nycsubway Photo: @rolandopujol (do not reuse without permission)

A photo posted by Rolando Pujol (@rolandopujol) on Apr 21, 2016 at 4:47pm PDT

Still, perhaps nothing beats this miracle tribute in Prince’s hometown:

This is real! A giant rainbow appeared over Paisley Park, Prince’s home!! Purple Rain in Minneapolis too!! He’s sending us some love. #ripprince #legend

A photo posted by Permanent Records LA (@permanentrecordsla) on Apr 21, 2016 at 6:42pm PDT