Is 'Purple Rain' copyrighted? 'AGT: Fantasy League' judge Simon Cowell stayed up until midnight to get legal clearance for Prince hit

Howie Mandel revealed that Simon Cowell worked through the night to secure legal approval for Prince's 'Purple Rain'
PUBLISHED JAN 23, 2024
Simon Cowell pulled strings to get 'Purple Rain' cleared from Prince Estate for the Sainted Trap Choir to perform (Instagram/@simoncowell/@prince, NBC/TraePatton)
Simon Cowell pulled strings to get 'Purple Rain' cleared from Prince Estate for the Sainted Trap Choir to perform (Instagram/@simoncowell/@prince, NBC/TraePatton)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League,' Sainted Trap Choir won the Golden Buzzer and advanced to the semifinals. Even though Simon Cowell had to pull a few ropes to obtain his act to perform the much-licensed "Purple Rain," it was the group that ensured their mentor's efforts were not in vain.

'AGT: Fantasy League' featured a musical performance unlike any other, as the Sainted Trap Choir returned to the Got Talent stage with Simon's Dream Team. The ensemble, combines gospel and secular music to create a unique mixture of voices and live performances.



 

With Simon's assistance, the group performed a rendition of Prince's "Purple Rain," which required their Dream Team mentor's hard work to complete. With Prince's insignia on stage, the group of more than 25 people, all clad in white, did a slowed-down gospel-style version of the classic song.

Even years after his death, Prince's "Purple Rain" is still regarded as a legendary song by both devoted fans and casual listeners. As with many great pieces of music, lawfully approving songs for use on sites like 'AGT: Fantasy League' may be difficult.

Still, as a member of Simon's Dream Team, certain obstacles are simpler to overcome than others. "We've got to get you the best song in the world, and it has to be 'Purple Rain,'" the Judge stated prior to Sainted's performance.

"We need to prepare two songs in case it doesn't clear," Dennis Reed Jr. of the group said.

The night before their 'AGT: Fantasy League' performance, they still had no idea which song they would be performing. Howie Mandel claimed that Simon worked until midnight to acquire legal approval for the song.

Fortunately, because of their Mentor's hard work, Sainted learned on the day of the concert that Prince's estate had consented to allow them to play the renowned song. Cheers erupted as they discovered they had been given their first choice of song.

Singing "Purple Rain" today seems appropriate given that the film and record of the same name will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2024.

Sainted Trap Choir performed 'Purple Rain' in 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' (TraePatton/NBC)
Sainted Trap Choir performed 'Purple Rain' in 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' (TraePatton/NBC)

Sainted Trap Choir secures final spot in 'AGT: Fantasy League' with Golden Buzzer from mentor

A soloist struck the high notes, making Simon's mouth drop open, and not simply because of team spirit. When the song was over, the Judges and the audience gave a standing ovation, and Sainted had once again established themselves as one of the finest to ever appear on the Got Talent stage.

Howie was blown away. "We always ask people on this show to step it up, and you just stepped it up beyond," he said, standing up again in astonishment.

Mel B declared them "brilliant," while Simon corrected the group, "You said it was going to be good, and it wasn’t. It was incredible."

He stated that he'd never forget the experience and hoped it improved their lives. He then pressed the Golden Buzzer to not only advance them to the semifinals of 'AGT: Fantasy League', but also to secure their spot on his Dream Team.

"Now that we have the Golden Buzzer, we are out to win it all," they declared.

'America's Got Talent' Season 18: SAINTED Trap Choir a group of twenty singers (@saintedtrapchoir/Instagram)
'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League's SAINTED Trap Choir (@saintedtrapchoir/Instagram)

Did the Sainted Trap Choir win 'AGT'?

Sainted Trap Choir has previously performed on 'America's Got Talent'. The quartet advanced to the semifinals of 'AGT' Season 18 last year, receiving high praise from the Judges, notably Sofía Vergara, for their first 'AGT' audition.

The trap choir, which began in 2020, advanced to the season's finals and has continued to perform together since then. They expressed their delight at returning to the stage on 'AGT: Fantasy League' for another chance at greatness and winning the title for their Dream Team.

'AGT' fans fail to understand Sainted Trap Choir (Trae Patton/NBC)
'AGT' group Sainted Trap Choir (Trae Patton/NBC)

Where is 'AGT's Sainted Trap Choir from?

The group is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and was founded in 2020. They offer a distinctive blend of gospel and trap, a type of hip-hop.

Their captain, Dennis Reed Jr., previously led Inspire The Fire during Season 7.

'AGT' Season 18 trap choir group, Sainted (Instagram/saintedtrapchoir)
'AGT' Season 18 trap choir group, Sainted (Instagram/@saintedtrapchoir)

Every Monday at 8/7c, NBC and NBC.com will telecast two-hour episodes of 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League'. New episodes will be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.

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