Patti Labelle, who’s terrific voice became cemented in American Culture history when she sang “New Attitude” and “Stir It Up” which were used for the movie Beverly Hills Cop, and who’s “Lady Marmalade” is to this day copied and repeated in movies and plays like Moulin Rouge received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards Sunday Night.
And to make it complete, Cee Lo Green feted Labelle by dressing like her. Green was joined on stage by Marsha Ambrosius, Shirley Caesat and Patti Labelle herself. Here’s the video:
Patty Labelle, who’s real name is Patricia Louise Holt Edwards, is still performing on tour at 66 years of age (and well after a 1992 diagnosis with diagnosed with diabetes, and will next appear in Chicago on July 18th, according to her website.
LaBelle was with Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles for 16 years and before going out solo in 1977.
Patti Labelle has digital media to thank for her success, allowing her collective body of work, and its copies, to be seen by millions who, without it, may have never known about her work. Their are several copies of the Moulin Rouge version of Lady Marmalade that have been seen and heard over 2 million times over the last three years.
And if you’ve never seen her perform “Stir It Up,” here she is:
Patty Labelle: an American Legend.