Teena was in the hospital sick with a raging fever when Rick called her and asked to pick her up and take her to the studio and cut this song because they were running out of time before the album had to go to press. She snuck out of the hospital and they cut it this song in one take and she snuck right back in. What a dynamic duo.
The only person that should be using autotune, well his version is Zapp!! He should get some kind of royalties for bringing it to the mainstream first!!
This is what you call real artistry. This was not rehearsed, this was an impromptu performance that the producers of the show asked them to do...and, given that Rick was very ill during this performance and passed away a few days later...I would say that this was a F**kin' BRILLLIANT performance...unrehearsed.
@@AiVaultGuyfor real 😂😂 it’s so cringy to watch too! Like how do they mess up their own song, no one can even vibe to it or sing along bc it’s literally that bad 😂😂 it’s funny to watch though
@@MissAriiiFunny to watch? So are you attempting to knock boots. Here's the thing: you either acknowledge their status as legends who were blessing us with their final performance together or you sit there and say nothing. Disrespectful AF. You must've been that poor girl backstage. Well, this is Rick James and Teena Marie...bitch!😂
to all who say tina marie cant sing look her music up on here she was singing live after not having a performance live in a while she is a great singer R.I.P tina love me some tina marie
OMG, this was a great performance! When I saw this on TV, it gave me chills. Teena was hitting those same notes just like she did on the album. Rick was still Rick, although he was still suffering from the effects of a stroke. I was hoping he'd tell everyone WHO he was. That was my part!
I went to see them live in concert when they both song this song at the Capital Center in Maryland. They still killed this song on BET! Wow 🥹🤗👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
It's hard to believe that both Rick and Teena are gone, they were sage musical artists never to be replicated ever again. Teena's voice in this video is magical...she still had it then. God bless Rick & Teena's souls...
I can't believe people think they didn't sound good. This is great live singing which is hard to do. I've heard lots of current singers singing live and almost died at how awful they sounded. Rick and Teena are amazing here!
Hi hear ya Lizzie, especially Tina was still hitting very high notes, Rick might have been a little off but they probably sound better than most people on here bytching... lol
I don't care what anyone says Rick and Teena sound as good as they did when they made this in 1981 it was soooo good to see these ledgends perform this classic one last time RIP Rick James and Teena Marie 🙏🏿
This is beautiful to see, Teena Marie basically sacrificed her own performance to protect Rick by singing more over the top and directing the audience's focus to her! Rick definitely had his moments here though the first note was on point
This is what you call REAL artistry. Neither Teena nor Rick were scheduled to perform. This was an impromptu performance that the producers of the show asked them to do during a commercial break. It was never meant to be aired and given that Rick was very ill during this performance and passed away four days later I would say that this was a F**KIN' BRILLLIANT performance Raw and Unrehearsed for 2 Legendary Performers in their mid-50"s! I would like to see today's performers do this unrehearsed
So...are you saying you're 39 now and you've been clean for 10 years? Math is hard and I think confused myself trying to read what you said and understand what you meant🤦🏽But I'm glad you're clean now, and wish you good health and safety
RIP Rick & Teena. Rick was a genius with the multiple solo hits and extensive production list. Very few could hold a torch to Teena soulful voice. Many timeless classics. Haters go drink a cup of fire & desire...
Also take in account that the original song was recorded back in 1981, almost 30 yrs ago! How many singers can still belt out their classics exactly the same. I think Teena carried this performance and salvaged it as best she could. I think its a shame that it took 25 yrs for Rick and Teena to finally sing that song live on prime time TV, and they were both seemingly at the ends of their careers. Bravo that we got to see them finally! Luv u T. Congo Square!
I disagree that Teena was at the end of her career. Maybe toward the end of her career in terms of a fly R&B singer, but I think with her magical and gifted voice she would have moved into other genras of music such as a torch singer, jazz singer, etc. A voice like hers just doesn't end. There would always be an audience attracted to her style, wiling to pay to hear her live and buy her music. I would and I'm not alone. The only thing that ended Teena's career was her unforeseen death.
I never really knew their history and then I googled and was amazed. I know the music ,but did not know the history e.g. his stroke. So for me the performance was something to remember and I have watched it at least 100 times
Today must be Rick James day. I've been watching all his old interviews and he was a good looking man in his younger years. This was a good performance even if it wasn't scheduled .these were two great icons if music there chemistry was off the charts. This song is one if the best also there song Happy was good too. I live Rick James and Teena Marie they will be sorely missed. Two icons. God got his angels.
They were having fun that night. Looking so happy to see each other and ready to crash that party. And they made it memorable. Unfortunately for one last time. A timeless moment.
Rick James was a very talented musician and song writer , he could play almost every instrument , shame he sniffed everything up the nose, he may still have been a talented writer and singer today
I saw them both do this about a month before the BET awards. It was at the Universal Ampitheater. What a show. It was a double bill. Teena Marie (Rick James special guest) - Isley Brothers
no they didn't sound their best here - strokes and drugs and age and sh*t - but I loved them both very talented artist who could sing, write, play instruments - for those of you that said they can not sing - lawdy - you must of missed their live concerts back in the day - they both would throw down and no auto tune needed - just a live ass band that jammed! Some of the best live concerts ever and I use to go to quite few
this is one of the most iconic preformances of all time so beautiful full of soul and passion rest in sweet peace to the king of funk and the lady of soul lady t
This duet was the best ever shown on BET - it gave this silly network a Legendary Art moment and priceless memory. Rick James paid his dues, and since he accepted the Lord, he will be in Heaven. No more suffering for the dear man, he had it all in excess, and no one to love - until little squeaky Teena Marie @ 2:47 she helped him up the stairs to the stage for his final bow. OMG - it makes me cry just to think. They are both RAW COOL! Such beauty, such talent, what a moment in Black History.
THE BET AWARDS AIN'T NEVER BEEN THE SAME!!!! 💔💔😞😞😞 THESE WERE THE GOOD TIMES WHEN U SIT WIT YOUR FAMILY AND WAIT FOR IT TOO COME ON AND EVERYONE AT THE AWARDS WAS ONE BIG FAMILY!!!! BACK WHEN MAJORITY OF ALL OUR LEGENDS WERE STILL ALIVE!!!! GRATEFUL FOR THE MEMORIES!!!! LUV U TEENA MARIE AND RICK JAMES!!!! 😇😇😇😇😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🔥🔥
When they first met on the elevator That's a classic story these two I mean make beautiful music and I love the song that she made with Gerald levert it was beautiful timeless classics
There is no bigger fan of Rick and Teena than me - I have all their records and have seen them both live several times. Actually has Teena serenade me on Portuguese Love at the House of Blues in Hollywood on Valentines Day. Rick's voice was shot by this time - his health and lifestyle had obviously caught up with him. Teena was great as she always was live - I have never seen her miss onstage and I know I have seen her live at least 10 times.
when I bump into this footage, its sorta hard to believe they're gone...wow. And what I remember about them is that Teena was Rick's equal when it came to singing, producing, playing a number of instruments, and writing music. Teena's talent was just off the charts...just like his.
Even though this performance was terrible, I still have the utmost respect for them. Rick James was a fraction of himself. Teena Marie held this together, regret that I never got to see them perform live in concert.
i was born in 98' . I lossed my grandfather, the one who introduced me to classics like this . what a hell of a last performance for Mr.Rick James. Rest in peace to both of them , may their music live forever , 🥀🎶
Love me some Rick James...saw him after a concert I attended in the 80's...ran into him at IHOPS in Jackson Ms...got his autograph on a napkin...Love you Rick!❤❤❤
Man…. What a time to be alive…. COULDNT wait to grow up…. But didn’t think when I’d be a grown up we’d be here…. I wanted the 90’s life…love…world… smh
When your aunt and uncle get drunk at the family gathering..... I miss how B.E.T Awards use to be
😂😂😂😂 exactly must see tv
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
Yes
😂
Xavier you made me fall out my damn chair!
I love how Teena was protecting him until the end. Making sure her voice overpowered him during his last days. She's an angel.
Wow. You caught that too. I didn't noticed it when I 1st saw it. As I re watched it. I noticed he could hang and she overpowered him. 💝
Yes I said the same thing. Teena carried that song. Bless her heart. I love them both. True friends til the end. That's what real ones do 💞🙏🏽
That’s shit is brutal
Facts! Salute
Aww
This was when the BET Awards was worth watching.
Facts
Facts
Shawnta L.
And worth listening too
Shawnta......Preach my sister,preach.
Facts. It always one or two good performances, sometimes three. The rest are bathroom breaks.
Teena was in the hospital sick with a raging fever when Rick called her and asked to pick her up and take her to the studio and cut this song because they were running out of time before the album had to go to press. She snuck out of the hospital and they cut it this song in one take and she snuck right back in. What a dynamic duo.
omg, I didn't know this
Goodbye, Rick James and Teena Marie. Your music will live on forever in our hearts.
Radical Bryan Amen
Yes rip to both of these legends.
Radical Bryan yes!
I hope their souls find each other again.
Yes....Rick & Tina....legends forever RIP.🎹🎼🎶🎵🎤
I don't care what anyone says these re two legends. Mind you Rick James had a Stroke a few years before this performance.
Narique Gibbs Like he said "cocaine is a hell of a drug."
Still no.#1 TOPS.👍👍💯✔💯✅✔✔✅
Man I need the BET Awards to get back to this where it wasn't just an award show but it felt more like a huge family reunion!
Ok now!!!! I couldn’t wait to turn on the award shows!
Amen
Foreal and 106 and park and rap city with big tigg
This was an ad-lib.....no rehearsal needed......RIP real talent.
was definitely meant for them to do this duet together...one last time. Precious
I know they both died like within a year of this
@@blacktreemedia well rick did die within a year of this, but teena died in 2010
Yea Rick died like within days of this if I’m not mistaken.. like next day or 2 😢
💔💔
No auto tune. High and or drunk. Still sounded way better that the ones doing it now. What a great performance and just pure legendary. 👏
The only person that should be using autotune, well his version is Zapp!! He should get some kind of royalties for bringing it to the mainstream first!!
loool it was horrible
U right about High they was high than a mf 😂😂
@@AiVaultGuysinging a song 30 years later is still remarkable
😂@@AiVaultGuy
The hug he gives her at the end was everything
This is what you call real artistry. This was not rehearsed, this was an impromptu performance that the producers of the show asked them to do...and, given that Rick was very ill during this performance and passed away a few days later...I would say that this was a F**kin' BRILLLIANT performance...unrehearsed.
Wow 😎 COOL
he wanted to perform that song one more to perform that song with her before he died
it was horrible
@@AiVaultGuyfor real 😂😂 it’s so cringy to watch too! Like how do they mess up their own song, no one can even vibe to it or sing along bc it’s literally that bad 😂😂 it’s funny to watch though
@@MissAriiiFunny to watch? So are you attempting to knock boots. Here's the thing: you either acknowledge their status as legends who were blessing us with their final performance together or you sit there and say nothing. Disrespectful AF.
You must've been that poor girl backstage. Well, this is Rick James and Teena Marie...bitch!😂
Damn!! Tina was 'still blowing.' Sounding good as ever!! RIP Tina & Rick
This dude said "Nevermind WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS ... I'm Rick James BITCH!" 😩😭😭 LMAOOOOOO
CHARLIE MURPHY
Airybabyy24 Yeah but the girl is Still alive and RICK is DEAD.so who got the last laugh? better to be an alive Bitch then a Dead junkie.
Mitchell Steven actually teena died in 2010 :/
to all who say tina marie cant sing look her music up on here she was singing live after not having a performance live in a while she is a great singer R.I.P tina love me some tina marie
Baby that white girl can sing honey!!!!!!!
They were great together their voices they’re chemistry. God bless both of them.
They sounded awesome. Real singing by real singers. I love it!
They sounded great. Rick totally forgot the words. Tina totally covered. But they sounded great.
Yes she did..Great music
Just the fact they were back together em....especially right before they ended up both leaving
Real Artist real times
I dont think he forgot i think he couldnt hit the noted anymore. Drugs mess your vocals up
I don’t think he forgot the lyrics. It just sounds like their improvising and playing off of each other.
the way he said b**** was so funny
Issa Princess He was wrong he put a hump in his back and said it
😂😂😂😂Too Funny
But the hump in his back😂😂😂😂😂
LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOO yesssss iconic
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Said it with his whole chest.
OMG, this was a great performance! When I saw this on TV, it gave me chills. Teena was hitting those same notes just like she did on the album. Rick was still Rick, although he was still suffering from the effects of a stroke. I was hoping he'd tell everyone WHO he was. That was my part!
still better than most live performances
I went to see them live in concert when they both song this song at the Capital Center in Maryland. They still killed this song on BET! Wow 🥹🤗👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
It's hard to believe that both Rick and Teena are gone, they were sage musical artists never to be replicated ever again. Teena's voice in this video is magical...she still had it then. God bless Rick & Teena's souls...
Amen!
They worked that entire room and brought the house down. This was when BET was worth watching. ❤
They sure did! There will never be another Teena and Rick
Rick James really was that Dude!
teena killed dat shyt!!!
cinz lyfe 2:07
I can't believe people think they didn't sound good. This is great live singing which is hard to do. I've heard lots of current singers singing live and almost died at how awful they sounded. Rick and Teena are amazing here!
Hi hear ya Lizzie, especially Tina was still hitting very high notes, Rick might have been a little off but they probably sound better than most people on here bytching... lol
Lizzie Beth 🎯
2:08
bruh they literally so off key the entire video
Whom ever thinks they don't sound good should try to sing live and let everyone critique them, especially after age and a stroke. A holes!
That hug he gave her was everything he really loved tina and she really loved him she died right after him they was always meant to be together.
I don't care what anyone says Rick and Teena sound as good as they did when they made this in 1981 it was soooo good to see these ledgends perform this classic one last time RIP Rick James and Teena Marie 🙏🏿
This is beautiful to see, Teena Marie basically sacrificed her own performance to protect Rick by singing more over the top and directing the audience's focus to her! Rick definitely had his moments here though the first note was on point
Rip Mr Rick James and Teena Marie my favorite singers of all time 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🕊️🙏🏽🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🕊️🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽💖💖❤️❤️❤️♥️♥️♥️
This is what you call REAL artistry. Neither Teena nor Rick were scheduled to perform. This was an impromptu performance that the producers of the show asked them to do during a commercial break. It was never meant to be aired and given that Rick was very ill during this performance and passed away four days later I would say that this was a F**KIN' BRILLLIANT performance Raw and Unrehearsed for 2 Legendary Performers in their mid-50"s! I would like to see today's performers do this unrehearsed
"cocaine's a hell of a drug"
I was a crackhead for 20 years 39 years old I've been clean for 10 years I love you rest in peace
Congratulations and may you continue to stay healthy. God bless. Sending you love from 🇦🇺🐨🦘
Awesome
Im happy for you may god bless
Congratulations on your sobriety. May God continue to bless you and keep you strong!
So...are you saying you're 39 now and you've been clean for 10 years? Math is hard and I think confused myself trying to read what you said and understand what you meant🤦🏽But I'm glad you're clean now, and wish you good health and safety
Sounding that good on a live mic, moving through a live audience. How many performers can match that?
Live iz live
NONE.
This many people miss Rick and Teena in 2024!
👇
Legends never die. This was when BET was good.
Goose bumps watching these two legends!!!!
This still cracks me up. RIP Rick.
RIP Rick & Teena. Rick was a genius with the multiple solo hits and extensive production list. Very few could hold a torch to Teena soulful voice. Many timeless classics. Haters go drink a cup of fire & desire...
BET awards ain't been good in a minute
Who is listening to this January 2023. Great vocals R.I.P both of you.
No woman could tame Rick but somehow he loved her anyway. Im glad they got to perform this song 1 last time just 4 day before he died
No matter what you think about Rick James he was a force to be reckoned with-A TRUE ARTIST
I don't believe there has been nor may there ever be a white woman who can blow like Tina Marie. The pipes on that woman 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I agree 100%
Christina Aguilera
@@BIGBlazyn Yeah yet Christina sounds like a Chicken being strangled
I agree with Bigblazyn Christina Aguilera
@@jerryjayson67😂😂
This is what singing truly is about youngsters
Also take in account that the original song was recorded back in 1981, almost 30 yrs ago! How many singers can still belt out their classics exactly the same. I think Teena carried this performance and salvaged it as best she could. I think its a shame that it took 25 yrs for Rick and Teena to finally sing that song live on prime time TV, and they were both seemingly at the ends of their careers. Bravo that we got to see them finally! Luv u T. Congo Square!
I disagree that Teena was at the end of her career. Maybe toward the end of her career in terms of a fly R&B singer, but I think with her magical and gifted voice she would have moved into other genras of music such as a torch singer, jazz singer, etc. A voice like hers just doesn't end. There would always be an audience attracted to her style, wiling to pay to hear her live and buy her music. I would and I'm not alone. The only thing that ended Teena's career was her unforeseen death.
RIP Rick and Teena 🙏🏿 fire and desire will always be my favorite song 😊😊
the more I watch the more I enjoy this performance
Right the awards shows now get so unoriginal every year, i miss the old days like this.
I never really knew their history and then I googled and was amazed. I know the music ,but did not know the history e.g. his stroke. So for me the performance was something to remember and I have watched it at least 100 times
Today must be Rick James day. I've been watching all his old interviews and he was a good looking man in his younger years. This was a good performance even if it wasn't scheduled .these were two great icons if music there chemistry was off the charts. This song is one if the best also there song Happy was good too. I live Rick James and Teena Marie they will be sorely missed. Two icons. God got his angels.
I still get emotional watching this every time never fails! RIP to greatness no one will be what they were!!
They were having fun that night. Looking so happy to see each other and ready to crash that party. And they made it memorable. Unfortunately for one last time. A timeless moment.
Rick James was a very talented musician and song writer , he could play almost every instrument , shame he sniffed everything up the nose, he may still have been a talented writer and singer today
Trollstein is that you?
I saw them both do this about a month before the BET awards. It was at the Universal Ampitheater. What a show. It was a double bill. Teena Marie (Rick James special guest) - Isley Brothers
Too damn beautiful of a song! All time favorite 👏🏽👏🏽💕
no they didn't sound their best here - strokes and drugs and age and sh*t - but I loved them both very talented artist who could sing, write, play instruments - for those of you that said they can not sing - lawdy - you must of missed their live concerts back in the day - they both would throw down and no auto tune needed - just a live ass band that jammed! Some of the best live concerts ever and I use to go to quite few
@HatersGonnaHate yesssss!!!
Ok boomer
She didn't di drugs , she was sooo
ahead of her time. Look up
her singing to Smokey Robinson
kills it.
This was a real show stoke he did a recovery that most couldn't do! He did a come back rih u two! Hey y'all are so missed
The most ghetto performance ever. LOVED it!! lol
This is still one the best songs he did, and without Tina Marie, it wouldn't be the best. They were both wonderful.
The real BET. Can't get no realness then this..take me back in time and unplug the clock. And leave me there.
Rick and Tina were incredibly one of the top duets ever.
this is one of the most iconic preformances of all time so beautiful full of soul and passion rest in sweet peace to the king of funk and the lady of soul lady t
He was in ruff shape......She can still belt though...RIP RICk! COLD MOTHER!
Wow those notes!!!
This duet was the best ever shown on BET - it gave this silly network a Legendary Art moment and priceless memory.
Rick James paid his dues, and since he accepted the Lord, he will be in Heaven. No more suffering for the dear man, he had it all in excess, and no one to love - until little squeaky Teena Marie @ 2:47 she helped him up the stairs to the stage for his final bow. OMG - it makes me cry just to think. They are both RAW COOL! Such beauty, such talent, what a moment in Black History.
Real true love. 💟
He basically took the 90’s feel with him, because the 90’s never really ended until late 04-05’!
Truuuuuueee
That part! Glad I’m not the only one that feels this way! ❤️
Beautiful and I will always remember it. R.I.P. to Rick James and Teena Marie(Lady T)❤❤❤
This is called ‘singing from the soul.’
They are both just so Real!
Rick James was one of the Best in my time. Continue to R. I. P.
I remember this I watched this when I was a kid ❤
Yo.... 2019.... And this is still 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯
I went to Lady T's concert shortly before this performance. She killed it
THE BET AWARDS AIN'T NEVER BEEN THE SAME!!!! 💔💔😞😞😞 THESE WERE THE GOOD TIMES WHEN U SIT WIT YOUR FAMILY AND WAIT FOR IT TOO COME ON AND EVERYONE AT THE AWARDS WAS ONE BIG FAMILY!!!! BACK WHEN MAJORITY OF ALL OUR LEGENDS WERE STILL ALIVE!!!! GRATEFUL FOR THE MEMORIES!!!! LUV U TEENA MARIE AND RICK JAMES!!!! 😇😇😇😇😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🔥🔥
Two beautiful wrecks.
+adelgado75 LMFOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When they first met on the elevator That's a classic story these two I mean make beautiful music and I love the song that she made with Gerald levert it was beautiful timeless classics
Mr James and Ms Tina Marie what else can I say other than WoW CLASSIC 👑🔥❤️
Wow..that's real chemistry .
WHY am I all teary eyed I remember seeing them both in concert Hampton VA. Hampton Coliseum
That will forever be the BEST BET Awards moment.
I was a preteen when this one came on.. I remember stopping dead in my tracks when they started singing 🥹 song stuck with me ever since!!!!
There is no bigger fan of Rick and Teena than me - I have all their records and have seen them both live several times. Actually has Teena serenade me on Portuguese Love at the House of Blues in Hollywood on Valentines Day. Rick's voice was shot by this time - his health and lifestyle had obviously caught up with him. Teena was great as she always was live - I have never seen her miss onstage and I know I have seen her live at least 10 times.
Me too. I am 61 and still, they are my favorites since I was 16. No one loves them more than me. Teena and Rick forever.
Her tribute to Smokey. It's rare a performer tops the original artist. Teena did.
When everybody wasn’t on their cell phones. When music sounded right. When people enjoy one another
The undisputed King of FUNK
1 Of The Most Iconic Legendary Musical Performances In Human History 😎🎸
The people in the audience look shook. Rip to these legends.
2:03
When your CD used to skip..
Colt Forty5 lmaoooo
Lol
😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
RIP Rick and Teena
when I bump into this footage, its sorta hard to believe they're gone...wow. And what I remember about them is that Teena was Rick's equal when it came to singing, producing, playing a number of instruments, and writing music. Teena's talent was just off the charts...just like his.
2 legends Rick and Tina
Even though this performance was terrible, I still have the utmost respect for them. Rick James was a fraction of himself. Teena Marie held this together, regret that I never got to see them perform live in concert.
You are correct. They were both dead within a couple of years. Such talent. Some of the comments on here are so evil.
The best BET awards show in history.
I'm glad I got to watch this live.
two of the greats. RIP
i was born in 98' . I lossed my grandfather, the one who introduced me to classics like this . what a hell of a last performance for Mr.Rick James. Rest in peace to both of them , may their music live forever , 🥀🎶
That was dynamic…absolute harmonic perfection
Love me some Rick James...saw him after a concert I attended in the 80's...ran into him at IHOPS in Jackson Ms...got his autograph on a napkin...Love you Rick!❤❤❤
The best BET awards ever ‼️‼️
Man…. What a time to be alive…. COULDNT wait to grow up…. But didn’t think when I’d be a grown up we’d be here…. I wanted the 90’s life…love…world… smh