I woke up this morning still having a hard time accepting the fact that the honorable Prince Rogers Nelson was no longer with us. As a musical icon, I could count on him to have a song for every emotion I experienced in life. But it was his ability to boldly clap back with such ease as the King of Shade that was truly soothing to my petty soul. I’ve taken a moment from my grieving to reflect on some of my favorite shady moments.

Photo: shandymedia
Photo: shandymedia

10. I want to start with a moment that I didn’t even know happened until recently. He always gave me Mr. Steal Your Girl Vibes, but this gem in my timeline really set the bar.

9. Speaking of Mr. Steal Your Girl, who could forget that time Prince was unmoved by Trey Songz’ tribute.

Photo: giphy
Photo: giphy

No, but you did cause this side-eye

Photo: giphy
Photo: giphy

8. Remember that time during a Tavis Smiley interview when  he shaded any and every one who ever  lip synced across the land.

7. Later on in that same Tavis Smiley interview he let him know the quickest way anyone could ever play themselves #majorkeyalert

6. Some of the younger generation may be more familiar with Dave Chappelle’s imitation of Prince, than Prince himself. Which Prince fully embraced and owned right before trolling Chappelle and making him the cover of his song, “Breakfast Can Wait”.

Photo: slate
Photo: slate

5. After making a decision that could have almost ruined his career by refusing to participate in the “We Are the World”  recording, he pulled the ultimate shady move by offering Quincy Jones his sucker after he offered him the mic. Probably because he couldn’t say “Blow Me”on national TV.

Photo: tumblr
Photo: tumblr

Quick side note…. who knew Immature was cropped out of this photo all these years

Photo: ama
Photo: ama

4. Prince’s shade game was so cold that he froze Kim Kardashian West (then Humphries) when he kicked her off the stage.

3. More recently he took his shade to the Grammys.

Photo: madamenoire
Photo: madamenoire

2. And who could forget when Lil Mo tried to come for the great purple one and he shut that all the way down…da da da da damn

Photo: twitter
Photo: twitter
  1. I’d like to end this with one of my favorites. When Prince had to tell Chris Rock “Y’all haters corny with Prince Rogers versus MJ mess.”

speaking of which….who is wondering if this is happening right now.

Prince is an icon and was a musical genius. I know I will never love a man in heels quite like I loved him. His beauty, brains, style, individuality, activism, and most of all his sense of humor will truly be missed.

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