Spike Lee on Why He Used an Unreleased Prince Song in 'BlacKkKlansman'

Legendary director Spike Lee visited Ellen for the first time and talked about using an unreleased Prince song for his new film, "BlacKkKlansman," and why the late Prince would have wanted him to use it. Plus, he talks the influence the Charlottesville protests had on the film, and about the importance of voting.

[@mine2613]

Damn that is amazing Prince had all these songs he never sold to the public or played on the radio amazing. Blackklanman is a classics must see movie.

[@billclark6688]

he has 100s if not 1000s of them... this song is just him playing around... not really intended for release. If you add in rehearsals and him just playing... there are (as Spike said) many more.

[@hessu275]

Blackkklansman was such an excellent movie

[@jamessanders9466]

Movie should definitely be nominated for a best motion picture Oscar! Seen it, loved it!

[@fin393]

He should be nominated and then lose.

[@michellestreater3296]

I completely agree

[@alexandergomes3317]

James Sanders better still won an Oscar!

[@opeyemialade8201]

Update ; He won the oscars . 🏆

[@eg1197]

Saw the movie last month. I enjoyed it. Mr Spike Lee did an excellent job.

[@mrmaxxx94]

Blackkklansman is the stone cold truth,spike Lee did it again,the greatness of the film ties the past and present so equally,respect Jordan Peele and Ron stallworth

[@brooklynebony]

Go see the film. It’s incredible

[@staciagrimes3515]

U can see the levels ...he thinks before he answer the questions

[@yesgregyes1416]

When you have Spike Lee & Ellen DeGeneres talking about mid-term elections, you know it's time to step back & check yourself. #BlacKkKlansman #VoteThemOut

[@m.c.5795]

Solid. Looking forward to watching it. Yes, agreed: for all those who can, please VOTE come November. Mid-term elections are important too. Now so more than ever!

[@maryluvsmusic9298]

Madame Chairwoman OMG! If there’s any human decency left in this world 🌎 & you want to see this country move in a positive direction. Please, please, please register to vote 🗳. If you don’t... u have no one but yourself to blame if the trash 🗑 is not taken OUT!!!! There Can Not be another term of this Despicable, so called leader, placed in position to make our lives miserable 😩. Michael Cohen said it best, “he’s a racist, con man & a cheat” . He has made some of the most detestable decisions I have ever witnessed in my life! He has made the most ignorant & hateful comments I have ever witnessed a president publicize. Unrealistic behavior 👿 for a president for sure! There must be change or this country is doomed!!!!

[@LisaLisa001]

I'm really grateful for this interview. This is life-altering for some, conscience-affirming for others, and everything in between. I'm so glad this is reaching more and more people. Ellen gives an amazing review.

[@vanessaandrews3723]

I love Spike Lee!

[@LG-kx8xl]

😁I saw him waaaay back in LA. We were in the car & were talking, then I heard "Don't tell me, I know there are only 2 Black Execs at Paramount"! I turned around & it was Spike!!! He smiled/laughed cause I was so excited, said Hi & drove off. Great song choice Spike. Prince was my man! Love him 4Ever.❤

[@Nikki-ks6wi]

who is the other?

[@LG-kx8xl]

@@Nikki-ks6wi idk who the driver was. I'd imagine one of his Hollywood friends.

[@netsirk6]

Looking forward to watching this film

[@Fab-Jr]

Spike's Joint

[@johnconnor2586]

Spike Lee a Living Legend! The Movie is Amazing great Job thanks Spike👍

[@officialhellomynameisshawn]

THAT'S MY COUSIN WHO YELLED "WOO" AT 6:02 LOLOL #alwaysreppin'TX

[@NellieKAdaba]

lol, he was all excited being on the show for the first time.

[@topgurl9313]

same Spike, I only watch the women's and usually just Serena. If someone says 'do you watch tennis?' I say I watch Serena 😊

[@londonblues7070]

Spike Lee is in a Class All By Himself...Tyler Perry is no comparison with Him

[@humanforotherhumans]

Who is thinking of comparing them?

[@Ace-hg7rr]

He looks great he inspires me he’s the man. I’m ready to show my skills as an actress hopefully I can show him one day

[@jenhasken]

LOVE SPIKE LEE! Great filmmaker. Huge props.

[@mahoganimedia]

This was an amazing film, that I plan to see again. Go see it if you haven't. It's a true Spike Lee Joint .... Also: I want one of those Ellen mugs.

[@themomola7743]

Much love here Ellen❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@acceptinglife6491]

watched the movie its amazing👏👏👏 the actors did a really good job

[@ferrumpugnus3708]

Legend!!!

[@pjbraine2289]

Love you, Spike! :)

[@TheLovely990]

Great movie, and should be nominated for an award!

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

SPIKE LEE ROCKS ON ELLEN !!!!

[@michelleedwards4603]

Congrats on your Oscar nomination Spike!!!

[@trojan1191]

love ya spike

[@baazinga13]

The scene with Harry Belefonte describing the lynching is one of the most powerful moments in cinema!!!

[@kitty-vk8ic]

I love spike Lee

[@tlservant5606]

Make the Movie Spike!!! "Spirits of The Slaves"

[@elnazzahiri9979]

I wanna c it so damn much

[@mewnas6862]

Ellleeenn!!

[@jaidamardon3224]

love you Ellen

[@cosminionut4814]

Here before 1k views! 😂😂😂

[@Breshwall]

#51😂😂notification squaaad

[@KARTONVERDE]

I notice that when he talks people listen.....

[@swissbeats2k]

Ellen looking good!!

[@elnazzahiri9979]

When can we c it in Germany ?

[@sweetheartedlady180]

I saw movie yesterday a very good movie..

[@terenterenteren8301]

Spizike!

[@DENZELINAFRICA]

Goat 🐐

[@vinceniederman]

I Love Spike Lee Big Time Of of My Favorite Film Directors!

[@chefkelly9265]

MR. LEE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME...I HAVE RELATIVES FROM SNOWHILL ALABAMA

[@bettywilma9129]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn

[@peterenningjnr8069]

It seems Spike really doesn't like to talk much

[@wandapearson4723]

It was a good film

[@diogenesarauz387]

Texas IS in the forefront of the most important race in America and whether they vote 🗳 Dems or not. I have a lot of respect for that State for bringing justice to a shooting that should have never happen. They found that person guilty, that should give pause to those bad officers. We all know that there are 99.1 percent great cops throughout the country but when a corrupt or a bad sprung we need to plug it out and that’s what TEXAS did. Thank you TEXAS.

[@sanjiprai1555]

6th comment from Nepal love you ellen

[@richyrich5049]

You can hardly tell its him? What? Ellen, I am surprised.

[@nikolagolic6949]

He is clapping tp him self

[@hessu275]

He loves himself

[@AroundTheWayTalk89]

Spike Lee and Tyler Perry would create something magical if they ever work together. But Spike dont like Tyler Perry but damn these 2 black intelligent Men could make something that could go down in history. Wishful thinking...

[@James24King]

update: They both are on speaking terms and made it public.

[@mashgallo]

Jessica Wall, no thank you to Spike Lee and Tyler Perry 😽 Uninpressed w/ TP's work... all of it. Spike Lee and Jordan Peel, however, priceless. 😊

[@jewellsmith9499]

Spike lee is in a class of his own. Tyler doesn't have the same black awareness.

[@mashgallo]

Jewell Smith, or talent.

[@robertoleedavis674]

Tyler Perry would only slow down Spike Lee. I have nothing against Tyler Perry, but Spike Lee is THE consummate filmmaker.

[@fettywapslefteye5317]

#whuteverwednesday

[@wilfridfred1055]

Really Ellen 16 years....and you ask who he never on that couch? Maybe because at those days,he wasn't..."fashion"enoughf...or you was too scare for inviting him

[@clairemahkovtz4606]

708 person

[@Beehighfive]

Ellen is right. It's important that we vote. Check out Diamond and Silk and they will explain why it's so important. I'm hoping Ellen has them on her show real soon

[@juxe411]

Is that really how Americans pronounce Djokovic? Tf

[@marlenebengtsen9839]

2nd comment and 27 view

[@keithbell9348]

I showed up to infiltrate the comment section to take census of how many people liked this movie as I am a white man in disguise as a black man. ....I don't think I was supposed to reveal that...

[@ashvingunasekaran3410]

5th

[@csyd22]

Spike taking L like the knicks

[@danielsetyawan.a9w671]

Hhe mmm

[@umungone]

Spike talks way go slow man wtf

[@rehamwinchester2965]

I almost fell asleep until the audience clapped 😳. His voice is low and he talks so slowly. Boring interview 😓.

[@mcarthurforbes5817]

I may not be Black but my great grandfather was, so i guess i got a little authority on the subject so Spike Lee makes great film that are studied and dissected in schools while Tyler Perry makes shitty dramatic over the top arch bending pile of unwatchable messes.

[@n00entertm.62]

this is fuckin awkward.

[@tss8478]

I'm going to go watch this movie. No one should ever be ridiculed by their nationality. I am an independent and I think under the circumstances that Trump is doing a great job. But just because I voted for Trump it makes me sick people think I'm racist. My household is mixed. According to google there are about 3000 to 5000 KKK members all across the US. That is approximately 100 people per state. In over 50 years, I've never met one Year KKK Membership 1974 1,500 1975 6,500 1979 10,000 1985 1991 6,000-10,000 2013 5,000-8,000 2016 3,000-6,000 2018 8,000-12,000 They want say on Antifa but I'm guessing about the same. My thoughts are, Both groups should be put in an arena somewhere and fight it out to the end and who ever wins spends the rest of there life in the pen. Also if they come around me they had better form an alliance with each other because hate is hate.

[@117MCT]

Spike Lee tries to put Ellen on the spot about why he's never been asked to be on the show before... although Ellen skillfully moved on and didn't answer, I surely wished she'd asked WHY THE HELL he did a movie like SHE HATE ME that completely made a mockery of lesbians!! Seriously, that movie is ridiculous and offensive to the LGBT community!!

[@MrLittlec7]

117MCT Who cares!!!!

[@yomommastupid]

this was awkward for some reason

[@tngardener231]

Should be a good film and I will definitely vote.. for Trump again. Nothing against Spike Lee because he’s a freakin cool dude. But we all have our own political views. 👍

[@supernova622]

Trump probably won't be showing up on any midterm election ballots, but you should def put him as a write-in candidate

[@themomola7743]

Much love here Ellen❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️