Prince honored by Spike Lee, Quest Love with tribute celebrations

NEW YORK, April 22 (UPI) -- As fans around the world mourn the death of Prince, celebrities such as Spike Lee and Questlove paid homage to the music icon with tribute celebrations.

Following news of his death Thursday, Lee who worked with the legendary singer on his 1996 comedy Girl 6, announced on social media "a celebration of his life" the filmmaker would be hosting in New York to honor Prince.

"We will dance, sing and shout to his music. Wear something purple," the filmmaker wrote on Instagram announcing the event alongside a photo of the soundtrack to Girl 6 with the label "Songs by Prince."

According to NBC New York, the Brooklyn-based event drew hundreds. Lee had also paid respects to Prince on Thursday in an Instagram post with a photo of the duo attending a basketball game together. "I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor," Lee wrote.

Roots member and Tonight Show drummer Questlove also hosted a Prince tribute celebration Thursday, announcing to fans on social media that he would be playing the Purple One's tracks during his weekly Brooklyn Bowl performances where he DJs.

"Cry. Listen. Dance. Sing. 2nite 11-3am. & when I say going in? I'm going in. Lotta memories. Lotta extended versions. Lotta "how the hell he get that"? Playing the Purple out of his music 2nite," Questlove wrote of the event on Instagram next to a photo of Prince's signature symbol.

In a separate post, the musician posted a photo featuring Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo, a reference to a viral story he shared about Prince in which the singer asked Questlove to cease playing music at an afterparty in favor of playing the animated film instead. "Representin. It's Only Right. #Prince #BowlTrain #PurpleTRAIN #ThatDambFish," he wrote.

The famed Apollo Theater in Harlem also paid tribute to Prince.

"The Purple Rain" and "Raspberry Beret" singer died in his Minnesota estate Thursday. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed, however he was briefly hospitalized last week after battling flu-like symptoms.