The guy has been discussed here plenty of times, but I haven't managed to understand where the dislike is coming from. If you don't like the fact that P had to have a rapper in his band then I understand. But Tony has been critized for his rapping skills, or lack thereof, and that's what I don't really get, because he didn't sound too bad to me. Or is it his style or sometimes corny lines? Make me understand

VenusBlingBling said:

I always wondered if Prince was really behind his lyrics most of the time. Like
Gangster Glam I am 80% sure Prince wrote those. On "My Name is Prince" he wasn't too bad. Keep in mind that was during the time 'Hammer' was hot so those lyrics were in tune with pop rap and didn't age

Fans just laughed at all the Game Boyz. The Dancing, The Hairstyles, Clothes and they were like Fashion Boyz Rapping as was TC ELLIS. Not like Rappers like TUPAC or BIGGIE or Say LIL WAYNE. What I Hated more than anything was that song GOLD NIGGA with that CHICK. was sooo STUPID!!!

I think most people expected Prince music, not 'rap' or 'hip-hop' when listening to Prince.

For one thing, Tony wasn't a great rapper. This is really evident in live recordings, where he was just shouting (offkey, most of the time) into the mic. I'm not a huge rap/hip-hop fan, but rapping is an art and Tony didn't have the chops for it, imo.

For another, that era represents a controversial time in Prince's music. Prince seemed to be chasing the latest trend, in some people's eyes, instead of blazing a trail, and Tony takes some of the blame for that, right or wrong. It's telling that Prince didn't choose a really great rapper for the job.

All that said, I liked D&P/Symbol a lot. Their sound is dated, but I have some good memories associated with them and that gives them a big boost. And looking back, I love how blatantly gay the dance moves were then. That still cracks me up.

Efan said:

I never thought of him as a rapper...but more like the old school "rapper"in a love song, or like Barry White. I liked him best on the NPG album for that reason...he just rolled his speaking voice over good grooves. then again I can't understand how people with what sounded like a mouth full of marbles (Biggie) ever got popular. Tupac I get even if I didn't listen that much. Course jail style pants (advertising for WHAT?) is stupid imo just as much as the Game Boyz look.

When Prince released "Diamonds And Pearls" and "," I was 9 and 10 years old, so I got off on hearing somebody like Tony M cussin on record.

Hell, even when Prince did it I thought that it was .

But when I look back on that whole era now, it just seems shameful.

IMO he ruined a lot of great songs with all of that shouting & cussin like a sailor man.

"The funkier I be, tha funkier I get OH SHIT!!!!!"

"You jumped on my D-I-C-K!!!"

Err..no thanks, mate.

I never had a problem with Tony M.

On some songs,his raps were a nice addition ("Sexy MF","Willing And Able",etc).

On those 2 songs (and "Gett Off" for that matter) it was all right, but other stuff like "Daddy Pop." Nope.

For some reason I like the Game Boyz live. Like on The Nude Tour. At the time I wasn't feeling it, but now I'm into it. My only problem with Tony was that he often was a distraction from Prince.

The dude sounds like Bullwinkle

there can only ever be one Tony M. http://www.youtube.com/wa..._uv1HVjEw8

HE WASN'T AS BAD AS TC ELLIS, BUT PRINCE WAS/IS A BETTER RAPPER THAN BOTH!!!!!

anc282 said:

Tony's contributions ruined Love 2 the 9s IMO.
[Edited 2/17/09 1:23am]

meow85 said:

I forgot about that one:

"DANCE, GURL LEMME SEE YA BOOTY BOOM!!!"

So embarrassed for Prince when he started incorporating rappers. It just felt wrong and like an admission that he didn't feel "hip" anymore. That may not be a fair assessment, but it's how I felt.

I always thought Tony M & The Game boyz was a way 4 Prince 2 make himself appear more masculine and aggressive. I always thought some of the dances the Game Boyz did along with Prince was very homo erotic. But it also showed off Prince as a very good dancer. Which I think he is underated. Because he does so many good things all at once like sing, play various instruments and dance...[b]

He was just plain CORNY! All the raps, dances, clothes and hair were CORNY!! It was one of the worst era's in P's career


Smooches;)

But I liked them all the same Corny and all. Yet other fans laughed..

He couldn't rap his way out of a small, wet paper bag

Everybody say

"M!!!!.....P!!!!.....L!!!!!.....S!!!!

HOO TA DA MUDDA!!!!!"

I actually liked Tony M

Mong said:

Me too 'Love Symbol' is actually my favorite Prince album of the 90s...I like the urban/street/party vibe throughout,and Tony was a large part of that.

I think a lot of people summed it up.

The addition of the Game Boyz and Tony M really changed Purple Music for the worst

On the Black album:Dead On it he slams rappers (maybe playful)
Prince was beyond that, he had his own sound and style (which he is returning 2 with Minneapolis Sound)

Prince always had a kind of rhyming since the Parade years
Girls & Boys
Love or Money
Kiss
Alphabet St:Cat we need U 2 rap

He was bad he was fresh
all the women said he was the best
money up to his neck...

It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night
Jill Jones/Sheila did a rap that was an old English poem

But his music didn't change
I think Tony may be getting a bad rap for Prince changing his style but hey

There were a few comments made by band members who remember Tony saying Prince wasn't black enough and that they were going to shove black down that ni&&a's throat.

When I heard/read that, I came 2 the conclusion that Tony had no respect 4 Prince, his legacy and the color free Interracial world he created and came from