Twenty-five years ago, Prince stood on stage and gave a warning that feels even sharper today. At the Yahoo Life Awards in 1999, he accepted the prize for best online single and looked right into the crowd with a mix of calm and urgency. “Do not be fooled by the internet,” he said, calling it cool to use a computer but dangerous to let it control you.
What made that moment unforgettable was how serious he looked. He did not smile, he did not joke. He referenced The Matrix, reminding everyone that there was a war happening “in the mind” and the prize was the soul. It was a strange thing to hear at an award show, but it made the room feel quiet and thoughtful.
Prince’s 1999 Warning on the Internet
Fans still talk about this speech online. One person said it felt like he was predicting the future, warning us about social media years before it existed. Another said they watched it twice because it gave them chills. Someone else simply wrote, “Prince knew.” That is how much weight his words still carry.
Hearing Prince speak about the dangers of technology makes you listen to “1999” differently. The song, which sounds like a call to celebrate, now feels like a message about freedom and living in the moment. The shift from a serious speech to that bright, electric anthem feels like a release, like he is letting you breathe again after making you think.
Prince – 1999 (Official Music Video)
The performance of “1999” is pure energy. Prince and the band are dressed in wild, colorful outfits, playing under flashing lights. The crowd is moving, and the song feels unstoppable. Viewers still call it one of the most iconic party songs ever. One fan wrote that it makes them “feel alive no matter what year it is,” which might be the best review possible.
Prince was always more than a musician. He could be playful one moment and deadly serious the next. He made people dance but also made them think. That is why moments like this still get passed around today. Follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Go back, watch, and let his words and music hit you all over again.