If he's not dipping his wick, what's in it for him?

NouveauDance said:

Hes all about the pretty patent leathers, no old brown shoes for him

nursev said:

NouveauDance said:

If he's not dipping his wick, what's in it for him?

I would hate to think that this is the main reason if so, then it's sad cuz rosie and shelbey can really sing.

I agree that it's likely about looks/sex.. but while I'd love a Shelby solo album, I can't stand her singing Prince songs - I wish Prince would give her an album then get rid of her from his band - her singing doesn't fit his music.

cella123456 said:

CrabalockerFishwife said:

nursev said:

CrabalockerFishwife said:

I agree that it's likely about looks/sex.. but while I'd love a Shelby solo album, I can't stand her singing Prince songs - I wish Prince would give her an album then get rid of her from his band - her singing doesn't fit his music.

She's not right for his band and may not be the prettiest, but she can sing. Girl sung the hell oughtta misty blue. So why wouldn't prince maybe put out a gospel cd or old standard songs cd for her voice?

Why does Prince do or not do anything?

I don't know.

CrabalockerFishwife said:

Prince hasn't been a starmaker since the 80's....it's not like Carmen Electra or Mayte were known for selling records....the others you named, while generally more talented in some ways, don't make pop music that could ever be top 40 hits...if it weren't for Prince, nobody would have thought they could play to mass audiences, let alone appeal to a Prince audience.

Maybe its a matter that Prince is giving Shelby J, Tamar, etc. a chance to be seen and heard based on their talent not him holding them back.

Based on their "looks" the industry, music buying public are the ones who are likely discriminatory. In Tamar's case I recall reading that Prince took a back seat at one of her tours. She may have gone out on "her own" and the public wasn't interested. Take a look at the "acts" people are supporting today; that really tells the story.

As for Prince supporting beautiful performers, why wouldn't he? that's what the public wants. Besides he is entitled to having a love interest around in general.

Lastly, whose to say Prince is the responsible party for promoting anyone elses career in the first place?

WhatdoUwantme2do said:

Maybe its a matter that Prince is giving Shelby J, Tamar, etc. a chance to be seen and heard based on their talent not him holding them back.

Based on their "looks" the industry, music buying public are the ones who are likely discriminatory. In Tamar's case I recall reading that Prince took a back seat at one of her tours. She may have gone out on "her own" and the public wasn't interested. Take a look at the "acts" people are supporting today; that really tells the story.

As for Prince supporting beautiful performers, why wouldn't he? that's what the public wants. Besides he is entitled to having a love interest around in general.

Lastly, whose to say Prince is the responsible party for promoting anyone elses career in the first place?

Co-Sign!!!! The public determines who makes it. All Prince can do is introduce them to the masses, but if we do not support them by buying their music then we are to blame. Unfortunately looks and age play an important part in this ever evolving music world, and right now young people are the ones buying the music. Take Andy, I would love to see her parlay her 15 minutes into fame. If she can't, at least Thanks to Prince people know her name.

nursev said:

But I have noticed over the years that singers like Rosie Gaines, Shelbey and tamar never really got a fair shake from Prince. Yes they may have gotten to perform with him or a poorly introduced album, but they were quickly dropped or pushed to the side. While less talented proteges were promoted. Do you think prince was bias due to their looks, skin tone or whether or not they were romantically involved with him. So let's hear it

It cost an investment of over $1,000,000 into a new artist for recording,promoting, touring etc.

That's why only major labels or people with major label money can create succesful new acts.

Sure you can do it the Master P, Dave Matthew's band way and spend your life touring until you create your own fanbase, but that's the LONG and HARD way.

With that being said, I don't think Prince really viewed himself as a record company type or he would have looked for artist that were easier to market.I think he was promoting them because he LIKED them not because he thought they could sell records.

Record labels care about one thing only.WHO CAN WE SIGN THAT CAN SELL A LOT OF RECORDS.

That's why the radio sounds like it does.They play what the labels PAY them to play.

It's a foolish and money losing game to invest into what we "like".I can site many examples of record label execs spending millions on acts that they "liked," that the public disiked.

Prince is one of those executives.

WhatdoUwantme2do said:

Maybe its a matter that Prince is giving Shelby J, Tamar, etc. a chance to be seen and heard based on their talent not him holding them back.

Based on their "looks" the industry, music buying public are the ones who are likely discriminatory. In Tamar's case I recall reading that Prince took a back seat at one of her tours. She may have gone out on "her own" and the public wasn't interested. Take a look at the "acts" people are supporting today; that really tells the story.

As for Prince supporting beautiful performers, why wouldn't he? that's what the public wants. Besides he is entitled to having a love interest around in general.

Lastly, whose to say Prince is the responsible party for promoting anyone elses career in the first place?

I disagree. I mean, 'cause who played or listened to Bria Valente's album aside from fanatics in this joint? Even with more publicity, her so-called "beautiful looks" wouldn't have garnered more than 5,000 (or less) records sold if that disc wasn't attached to his.

I can really only think of 2 ladies that Prince really pushed and that was Sheila E and Carmen Electra. Carmen was definitley based on his feelings for her. She was an awful singer/rapper or whatever you want to call it. The only thing that makes her album listenable is the actual music. No other artists on Paisley Park were really ever given much promotion. I was most disappointed that Rosie never made it big. I love her to death, but that first album was pretty tame...guess I was just wanting a bunch of Prince produced/composed songs in the same vein as Jill Jones.

WaterInYourBath said:

WhatdoUwantme2do said:

Maybe its a matter that Prince is giving Shelby J, Tamar, etc. a chance to be seen and heard based on their talent not him holding them back.

Based on their "looks" the industry, music buying public are the ones who are likely discriminatory. In Tamar's case I recall reading that Prince took a back seat at one of her tours. She may have gone out on "her own" and the public wasn't interested. Take a look at the "acts" people are supporting today; that really tells the story.

As for Prince supporting beautiful performers, why wouldn't he? that's what the public wants. Besides he is entitled to having a love interest around in general.

Lastly, whose to say Prince is the responsible party for promoting anyone elses career in the first place?

I disagree. I mean, 'cause who played or listened to Bria Valente's album aside from fanatics in this joint? Even with more publicity, her so-called "beautiful looks" wouldn't have garnered more than 5,000 (or less) records sold if that disc wasn't attached to his.

Well, looks only take you so far and then its up to the performer and what breaks he/she gets--its one in a million and for people of color its more like one in thirteen million.

CrabalockerFishwife said:

Shelby's been with Prince since early 2007 right? 5 years is hardly "quickly dropped and pushed to the side". That's a pretty decent stint for any band member.

toejam said:

Shelby's been with Prince since early 2007 right? 5 years is hardly "quickly dropped and pushed to the side". That's a pretty decent stint for any band member.

Despite the fact that Shelby is a very good singer...in her time with Prince, all she has really done for me is hog up stage time, allowing Prince to not have to sing, and annoying me to world's end with the "Put Your Hands Up" chant. At one show, she must have said that chant almost 200 times in a 90 minute concert. That's a lot of hands going up. Properly used, her talent would be much more appreciated.

stillwaiting said:

toejam said:

Shelby's been with Prince since early 2007 right? 5 years is hardly "quickly dropped and pushed to the side". That's a pretty decent stint for any band member.

Despite the fact that Shelby is a very good singer...in her time with Prince, all she has really done for me is hog up stage time, allowing Prince to not have to sing, and annoying me to world's end with the "Put Your Hands Up" chant. At one show, she must have said that chant almost 200 times in a 90 minute concert. That's a lot of hands going up. Properly used, her talent would be much more appreciated.

I, on the other hand loved the format, energy and style exhibited at the LA shows. Shelby J. is an excellent singer and performer. Her energy really pumped up the crowd IMO. Everybody loves Prince but realistically he cannot be expected to "do it all" and why should he? Shelby seemed like a good helpmate for the shows. I will concede there may have been an ocaision where the balance was a little off, but it was an occasion not the norm.

nursev said:

But I have noticed over the years that singers like Rosie Gaines, Shelbey and tamar never really got a fair shake from Prince. Yes they may have gotten to perform with him or a poorly introduced album, but they were quickly dropped or pushed to the side. While less talented proteges were promoted. Do you think prince was bias due to their looks, skin tone or whether or not they were romantically involved with him. So let's hear it

nonsense. prince was more than generous to give them even 2 seconds stage time.

they had their shot and now it's up to THEM to keep the spotlight on them if they want it.

nursev said:

CrabalockerFishwife said:

I agree that it's likely about looks/sex.. but while I'd love a Shelby solo album, I can't stand her singing Prince songs - I wish Prince would give her an album then get rid of her from his band - her singing doesn't fit his music.

She's not right for his band and may not be the prettiest, but she can sing. Girl sung the hell oughtta misty blue. So why wouldn't prince maybe put out a gospel cd or old standard songs cd for her voice?

She sang Brown Skin very well. Shelby can blow. I'd like to see her do her own thing separately. As for voices blending in with P, I prefer Chante Moore. Her voice on sounds lovely with Prince.

Most of the Prince babes who put out music aren't known for their talent. Many had a certain look, & were linked romantically to him. Nothing new. I'm surprised Mani didn't put something out. If she couldn't sing, neither can many of the others, no big difference.

frankly, I wish he wouldn't waste his time on any of them. Rosie was the last one worth paying attention to, but only marginally.

I'd blame the music industry rather than Prince for why Tamar, Rosie Gaines, etc., didn't blow up after leaving him. Same for Nona Gaye and whomever he "worked" with. Even people who had no chance of a long lasting music career anyways (Carmen anyone?). I bet all the women who worked with Prince knew what he wanted from them. Just saying.

toejam said:

Shelby's been with Prince since early 2007 right? 5 years is hardly "quickly dropped and pushed to the side". That's a pretty decent stint for any band member.

This.

Genesia said:

toejam said:

Shelby's been with Prince since early 2007 right? 5 years is hardly "quickly dropped and pushed to the side". That's a pretty decent stint for any band member.

This.

And I think that's the longest any female musician stayed with him since Lisa, right? Or did Rhonda Smith stay a little longer???

Timmy84 said:

I'd blame the music industry rather than Prince for why Tamar, Rosie Gaines, etc., didn't blow up after leaving him. Same for Nona Gaye and whomever he "worked" with. Even people who had no chance of a long lasting music career anyways (Carmen anyone?). I bet all the women who worked with Prince knew what he wanted from them. Just saying.

I ultimately think he wants them to have a chance to shine, but the once that spotlight is over, it's ON TO THE NEXT!

I think Shelby has stayed around longer because he looks at her as a sister perhaps? He has extreme chemistry with her (I don't think it's sexual) Rather just very comfortable around her, her energy must satisfy him. Ultimately, I like Shelby after hearing her interviews. SOMETIMES, she does too much and distracts me, but from what I hear she gets the crowds going..lol