Prince - Is he the best of all time?

While the love fest continues elsewhere...let's put it out there.

Is he the best of all time?

No one compares (IMO)...and it wouldn't surprise me if the question at the pearly gates is: Did you get Prince's music?

Feel me?

Logically, he's not. Prince is not the end all and be all of music, despite his claims to being the embodiment of music.

But, is he up there? Oh yes, of course. But the greatest of all time? Nope.

Heaven is about a lot more than Prince.

YES!

In my estimation, yes.

at least in the music field.

You see, he's done it all, no one else has. He ain't just a musician on stage, he's an untouchable performer too! Lovesexy tour for instance. He just has it all.

I could go on and on about his unrivalled genius.
[Edited 7/7/09 16:38pm]

Prince is to me. I'm sure many would agree, although there are so many "Great," artists that don't get that high on the musical ladder.

Thank God for everyone that makes music in general.

quite possibly.....

quite possibly

No. He had a decent shot but I think his post Sign 'O' The Times material is far too uneven for Prince to be considered the best of all time.

Tame said:

Prince is to me. I'm sure many would agree, although there are so many "Great," artists that don't get that high on the musical ladder.

Thank God for everyone that makes music in general.

No, it was Michael Jackson. His memorial which was watched by 1 billion confirms and reinforces this.

I am a huge Prince fan and have been for over 25 years, but I have to admit Michael Jackson was an international iconic super super super star. No diss too Prince what so ever, it is just a fact.

Hell no! To say "best of all time", you'd have to factor in Mozart, which we all know, is waaaaayyyyy out of Prince's league. So no, he is not the best of all time. Michael Jackson was definitely a more international figure/pop icon. I doubt that a billion people will be watching Prince's funeral. Not that many people even know he exists.

Although I LOVE the man's work. He has his weak points like anyone else. I don't think he should dance at all or at the least work with choreographers. Other than his dancing and his lack of musical output, (I know he has put out a lot but what about lately and not comparing him to other artists) he reigns supreme!

sirpsychosexy said:

mzkqueen03 said:

sirpsychosexy said:

YES!

...
..mzsexybaby

If its measured in musical ability then yes, think of all the instruments he plays. arrangement, song writing ability, etc, No diss to wolfgang but he was limited to what he played, and no diss to MJ, but a percentage of his fame etc came from NON musical issues as well, he was one hell of a singer and performer, dont get it twisted...I think Prince is the best of all time, and its just my opinion

no.

...this thread feels like a roller-coaster ride
..mzsexybaby

For Rock and Roll, I think that Michael is the greatest entertainer of all time, whereas Prince is the greatest musician of all time.

Revolution said:

I love Prince and his music, and always will, but Michael had the ability to touch people very deeply through his music. People in Romania, Italy, Greece, Bucharest. Michael Jackson's music is feel good music and the majority of people can relate to it.

Prince has a following but his music does not have the same scope and depth as Michael Jackson had. Remember We Are The World? Prince didn't even want to be a part of it though later he contributed for the tears of your eyes.

Michael sung Heal The World and this song is the most humanitarian song I have ever heard.

No diss to Prince, I love ya, but Michael Jackson is the best of all time and even though he couldn't play 18 instruments, his beautiful spirit and his ability to touch people of all ages, eras and generations was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomena I shall never forget.

He's my favorite, but no, he's not the best of all time.

Prince use to have balls....now he has religion. - Nothinbutjoy

HomeSquid said:

...IT COULD be that M.J was an influence to prince..i mean prince started his band around the age of 13?...while at 13 m.j. and his brothers where making albums...i think that prince has been the most focused out of ANY ARTIST EVER..why?...well prince did things different from the rest...he always did was was best for him...and though some may THINK he is selfish..he is not..
.
...why?...because of all the artist mentioned in this thread so far...prince is the only one still alive..still rich...still looks good..still working..and i L-O-V-E him
..mzsexybaby

I can only speak for my lifetime and my heart. Prince is the best to me. The MJ memorial today really choked me up. I lost it win Paris spoke. I can only hope Prince is shown as much love and respect when he leaves(hopefully many, many years from now) as MJ was today.MJ was clearly a great humanitarian, but the spirituality in Prince's music has really changed my life.
[Edited 7/7/09 17:57pm]

...i think i would faint if big-daddi was not here on earth..
..mzsexybaby

audience1 said:

I think he's the greatest.

The Political Abstract
"Nas is like"
http://www.youtube.com/Nastradumas

McAfrica

McAfrica

kenlacam said:

Most definitely YES.

All the crap about MJ is vomit inducing. The media is having a field day with his death, it really is in bad taste. (I wonder how his victims feel about it all)

One thing that I have noted in all the hype is that MJ could not bring it live, his 'live' performances were anything but live, his performances in later years were particularly tragic, this appears to be overlooked because of the dance moves. Not my cup of tea.

MJ was not in the same league as Prince as a musician/singer(live),songwriter etc etc...however he could dance about the same. As for comparisons outside the business, well lets not go there just yet...that time will no doubt come when the 'false grief' comes to pass.

Prince's genuine competition comes from a much loftier bunch of 'musicians'... for me he is up against:

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
David Bowie


MJ was up against:

Madonna
Elvis
Britney Spears
Justin Timberlake
etc etc

This is one of those questions that will of course, be answered differently by each individual.
For me, Yes! He is the greatest musician of all "My Time".
He may or may not be for other folks...but for me, Yes!
Although, I do have lots of musicians that I appreciate and adore...

I think Prince *could* have been the best of all time. He's made too many missteps.

As it is---- he's one of the best, for sure.