I Got My Entire Life at The Hollywood Bowl's 'Perfect Angel: The Definitive Minnie Riperton Tribute'

Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Chanté Moore, and Alex Isley were just some of the big names who pulled up to honor the late singer's legacy.

Many things in life are definitive: Stuffing is definitively vile, I’m the definitive handsome Black man, and Trump is unquestionably the definitive asshole.

But a definitive musical tribute, honoring one of the greatest artists in the history of Western Civilization, is something else entirely.

Minnie Riperton was much more than the vocal acrobat who effortlessly cartwheeled through lullabies like “Lovin’ You.” She was one of the first big names to openly advocate for breast cancer research, the blueprint for the Mariahs and Arianas of the world, and a loving wife and mother who left us at only 31 years young.

Thankfully, her musical legacy will live on forever. And with the blessing of Maya and Richard Rudolph, the legendary Hollywood Bowl took it upon itself on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her second studio album, "Perfect Angel,” with a neoteric night of music and memories.

After a brief introduction by Bay Area songbird Goapele, the festivities kicked off with “Les Fleur,” courtesy of Lizz Wright. For those out the loop, “Les Fleur” is the opening song on Minnie’s debut album, “Come to My Garden.” So I see what they were trying to do, and this is exactly the type of carrying on I’m here for.

But while Lizz came out the gate swinging with “Les Fleur,” it was her intoxicating rendition of “Can You Feel What I’m Saying?” that left me completely mesmerized. The warm texture of her alto added an entirely new dynamic to the “Stay In Love” standout, leaving me eager to explore more of her own music.

You can’t pay tribute to Minnie without doing “Inside My Love” justice, and that responsibility fell on Alex Isley’s courageous shoulders. I love Alex to death, but admittedly, I wish a stronger vocalist would’ve tackled this one. She did her thing, but this is a song with some big notes—as a reminder, Minnie had as many octaves as she did fingers—and Alex will tell you herself that she’s never been that type of singer.

Other highlights of the night include Kings Return putting their signature a cappella spin on Dionne Warwick’s Luther Vandross’ “So Amazing,” George Benson’s guitar doing what George Benson’s guitar does before taking the sold-out crowd to smooth jazz heaven with “Breezin’,” and Chanté Moore—arguably the most underrated vocalist of our time—sending “Lovin’ You” to orbit with a masterclass in vocal dexterity.

Finishing out the night was the incomparable Stevland Hardaway Morris—better known to you lowly commoners as Stevie Wonder—who came out on stage flanked by Maya and Richard Rudolph, Minnie’s Emmy award-winning daughter and songwriting partner/widower. Stevie took a moment to reflect on his friendship with Minnie before performing “Perfect Angel”—a song he just so happened to write for her—and his own “Is It Magic,” bringing the audience to tears.

I’d much rather our luminaries get their flowers while they can still smell them, but the Hollywood Bowl did a spectacular job of honoring one of R&B’s guiding lights.