He's been inspired by Prince, he's performed covers of his music and now, D'Angelo is paying tribute to the late legend in the most fitting way possible—through song.
The four time Grammy winner took a seat at the piano Tuesday night on The Tonight Show stage clad in fur and a hat in ode to his idol. With background vocals from comedian Maya Rudolph and jazz singer Gretchen Lieberum—the members of Prince cover band Princess—the trio belted out the star's foreboding 1986 ballad, "Sometimes It Snows in April."
The song was featured in a film Prince directed and starred in called Under the Cherry Moon about two men who try to swindle wealthy women out of their fortune. As the credits rolled, the tune played in homage to Prince's character, Christopher Tracy, who had died.
It was a visibly emotional moment as D'Angelo improvised one of the lyrics to say, "I often dream of heaven and I know that Prince is there." The line struck such a heartfelt chord with the singer, he had to take a moment to regain his composure before moving into the next lyric.
No one could be more fitting to perform the serenade, considering D'Angelo has faced comparisons to the musician since his debut album. However, he told Rolling Stone in 2000 that his love for Prince began long before that as a child.
"We always had every new album the first day, and we would dissect that shit and study it, and after we listened to it, we'd have a discussion about it. We always did that," he said.
As he sang out the final line of the song Wednesday night, it couldn't have sounded more true: "All good things they say never last. And love, it isn't love 'til it's past."
Prince was discovered unconscious in an elevator in his Paisley Park estate on Thursday. An autopsy was performed the following day and his body was subsequently cremated. Prince's close family and friends celebrated his life in a private ceremony held Saturday.