in fact, prince protege erin allen kane was text messaging light-hearted banter to the star after reports had been hospitalized. >> you need to tell me that you're okay before i bite all my nails off. i have a problem, i bite my nails when i get real nervous. and he said -- he responded almost like you know, it was really quickly. and he said -- don't eat your nails, eat food instead. everything is wonderful. and he spelled wonderful like 1-derful. >> nbc's tam ron hall was a close friend to prince. she told msnbc in a phone interview later today that she recently touched base with him. >> i emailed him on saturday and i said prince, are you okay? and he immediately wrote back, are you okay? >> she said they talked for three hours. and she didn't hear any sign of illness in his voice. no traces of the flu. >> i didn't press him on what happened. it was clear that he did not want to elaborate on it. and he wanted me to come to paisley that night. for a fan appreciation concert. and i took the fact that he was hosting something, and wanted me to be there, as a sign that he was okay. >> tamr

. >> reporter: he recently discovered vocalist erin allen king on youtube. >> i sung a song called hollow, and he found it, i guess, on the internet, and then he posted it on his twitter, and i like flipped out. >> reporter: king says prince took her under his wing empowering her as a musician and inspiring her to be a voice for the next generation. >> for him to say that what i'm doing is important, it was everything. and that just kind of solidified all the things that i had him being a generous, beautiful, artist after i met him, it was just -- yeah, he's like an angel, i guess. >> reporter: prince knew music could help. and heal. for decades, he donated time and money to various causes. and after the riots in baltimore, maryland, he collaborated with king on a song, held a benefit concert there, and donated the proceeds. >> he said, as singers, you know, we have to talk about things. we have to be socially awear and talk about the things that are going on around us in that time. it's like our music needs to be kind of like a time capsule. and so, he felt the need to speak on this inju

erin: practice? allen iverson knew what he was talking about back then. a.i. was elected to the naismith hall of fame. he went on to have a successful nba career with stop in philly, denver, detroit and memphis. wildly regarded as one of the best players in the past 20 years. he is known for the interesting fashion sense that you see there. >> i wanted to be just like mike. you i honor and respect the guys before me because they gave me a vision. mike made me want to be a basketball player. erin: good to see dressed up for that occasion. iverson joined by shaq, yao ming, isabela, cheryl swoops. it will take place in springfield, massachusetts. leon: the fourth player for coach tom johnson jr. to make it to the hall of fame. that is a record. congratulations. doug: cold front moving through. we will have a freeze tonight. the area in purple under freeze warninged a midnight. at 11:00, steve rudin has the latest on the freeze warnings. things you should know and bring warmer temperatures this week. leon: stay with us. "world news tonight" with david muir up next