Jimmy Fallon cranked out the love for Ariana DeBose’s viral rap from this year’s BAFTAs, donning a wig, a tan Stetson and guitar strumming as he did an impression of iconic musician Neil Young – “Angela Bassett did the job.”
“The Tonight Show” announcer Steve Higgins introduced the act on Monday, saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, Neil Young,” and pointing to a darkened center stage. The camera panned to a yellow light falling on a man sitting on a black stool. Although unable to see his face in the shadows, the hat, long hair, guitar resting on his leg and harmonica placed under his mouth signaled times to come.
And then Fallon started singing. Or was it Neil Young? hard to tell because it was He accurate! Listen to Fallon in the clip above and decide for yourself.
DeBose’s internet was in a frenzy after her performance of a girl-power rap at the BAFTAs on February 19.
A sample: “Dame Emma, I’m so fond of. Ana, girl, you were so good in ‘Blonde.’ Danielle D., you broke my heart. Michelle, I’ve loved you from the beginning. Angela Bassett worked . Viola Davis, my ‘Woman King’. Blanchett, Cate – you are a genius. Jamie Lee, you are all of us,” she rapped, as the camera panned to the women in the audience.
Although there was some online mocking of the whole thing that same night – bassett checked in too With the Oscar winner making sure she was okay after she deleted her Twitter account – a lot of social media outcry and parody overtook it in the days that followed.
DeBose reposted an Instagram video on Saturday lizzo matching her rap at a concert in Amsterdam. DeBose wrote, “Y’all’s internet is wild.” Melanie Lynskey and Gabrielle Union were among the notable names showing their love and support in the comments.
Watch Fallon’s spin on the viral moment in the video above.
