Grammy winner John Legend disappointed fans during his performance at the Democratic National Convention with his cover of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.” Legend sang alongside musician Sheila E. before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s address at the United Center, but fans quickly took to social media to express their disappointment, calling Legend’s rendition lackluster and lacking in energy. Some fans questioned the choice of Legend for such an iconic Prince song and felt that Sheila E. and the guitarist stole the show.
While “Let’s Go Crazy” was a hit song off Prince and The Revolution’s 1984 album “Purple Rain” and is considered one of the musician’s most successful hits, many fans felt that Legend’s performance did not do justice to the song. Prince, a beloved figure from Minnesota, passed away in 2016, and Sheila E., a long-time friend and collaborator of Prince, joined Legend on stage for the performance. Despite Sheila E.’s contributions, many fans were critical of Legend’s vocals and stage presence during the cover.
Legend, who has been an outspoken supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Walz’s campaign for the White House, expressed his admiration for Harris prior to his performance at the DNC. He called Harris a smart, charismatic, and empathetic leader who he believes is qualified to be the president. Legend highlighted Harris’ character traits and her focus on improving people’s lives through effective government action as reasons for his support of her candidacy.
As one of the high-profile artists to perform at the DNC, Legend joined a lineup that included Patti LaBelle, Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton, and Lil Jon. Despite his advocacy for Harris and Walz’s campaigns, Legend’s performance of “Let’s Go Crazy” drew criticism from fans who had high expectations for the tribute to Prince. Some fans expressed their disappointment on social media, with comments ranging from questioning the choice of Legend for the song to expressing that his performance did not capture the essence of the original hit.
Overall, Legend’s performance at the DNC failed to meet the expectations of fans who were hoping for a memorable tribute to Prince. While Sheila E.’s contributions were appreciated, many fans felt that Legend’s vocals and style did not align with the energy and spirit of the iconic “Let’s Go Crazy.” Despite Legend’s vocal prowess and previous accomplishments, his cover of the Prince hit fell short in the eyes of many fans, who took to social media to voice their disappointment and criticism of the performance.
