Following the tragic death of British soul singer Amy Winehouse this weekend, several artists have offered words of sorrow and respect for the late singer. But in true artistic fashion, funk and soul legend Prince and international hip-hop star M.I.A. recently offered up musical tributes to the late Winehouse.
Just hours after news of Winehouse’s death spread across the world, Sri Lankan rapper-singer M.I.A. took to Twitter and posted the demo “27,” which she recorded prior to the release of last December’s ViCKi LEEKX mixtape, as a tribute to the “Back to Black” singer.
“i recorded this song B4 vickileekx and never put it out. its a unfinished demo,” tweeted M.I.A. along with a link to the song and an “R.I.P A.M.Y.”
Over a somber, mid-tempo beat, M.I.A. sings of a friend whose love for a rock star
lifestyle turns into a tragic downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and suicide.
“Said your all mouth and no brains/ all rock stars go to heaven/ you said you’ll be dead at 27,” sings M.I.A. in the song.
The following day, Prince protégée Andy Allo posted on her Facebook fan page, a comparatively lighter tribute for Winehouse, a cover of the singer’s 2007 song “Love Is a Losing Game,” performed with her mentor, Prince.
In the song, Allo (who performs the majority of the vocals) spins Winehouse’s lyrics of love and defeat into a somber farewell to her fellow singer.
“To them you were a flame/Love was a losing game,” sings Allo over Prince’s acoustic guitar riffs.
With such an outpouring of love and remorse from such a slew of high-profile artists, it’s clear that Winehouse’s poignant songs of misery, heartbreak and love have left an indelible mark in music that will keep her all-too-short career alive long after this tragic moment in time. Rest in peace, Ms. Winehouse. –nicholas robinson
