Skratch Bastid's Prince tribute gets big reaction online

After he heard the news of Prince's sudden death on Thursday, music producer and DJ Skratch Bastid (a.k.a. Bedford, N.S., native Paul Murphy) reacted the same way a lot of fans did.

"At the end of our busy day, my wife and I listened to just about every Prince record we own," he posted on his Facebook page.

"And when we came across the doubles of the 'Kiss' 12" [record], I started messing around with it, having fun, and getting excited about his music, as I always do when it's played."

The result was a tribute video to the late music legend, which was watched hundreds ofthousands of times within hoursof publishing on Facebook Friday morning.

"Waking up and watching you and listening to this actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you,Paul Murphyfor helping me process the life we lost yesterday. That was beautiful," wrote one fan.

Another called it "something totally awesome which Prince deserves."

Tribute videos strike a chord

In January, Murphy's video tribute to David Bowiethat was posted within hours of the news of his death went viral, with millions of views on Facebook.

Murphy told CBC by phone Friday that he wants to celebrate the work of manygreat musicians, not just those who have passed away.

"Since posting the Bowie routine, I've been getting tonnes of requests for tribute videos every time a musician passes away," he also wrote on his Facebook page.

"It's a pretty weird thing to deal with, to be honest. I'm all about giving our legends the respectthey deserve, but I don't like to do it in the wake of their death or just because their name is in the headlines."

Murphy told his Facebook fans that he was moved todo thetribute video to Princeafterspending the day listening to his work anddiscoveringnew songs of his through otherssharing their own favourites.

"I will miss Prince dearly. I will continue to celebrate his music in my sets and in my spare time. The fivetimes I saw him live are memories I hold dearly and inspiration that will never run out," Murphy wrote.