If you were an up and coming artist, would you accept a collaboration with Prince or hold off and do it on your own?

If your smart you would take it while the taking is hot. It's not his job to carry those artist forever. Just open the door, I'll get it myself.

Dayclear said:

Hmmm... but it seems, depending on his mood, that he could hold it open for a little while but then decide to turn around and slam it in your face.... Ouch! Just saying....

I'd accept the collaboration. Honestly, would we have heard of either Tamar or Bria without the Prince connection?

why not? if I was an artist ... it would be a honor

It seems to depend on the person. For some, like Apollonia, who wasn't bringing much to the table besides looking good in a push-up bra, it was definitely a blessing. For those who want to express their own musical vision, a Prince protege' probably isn't the way to go.

For instance, didn't he invite the members of Tony, Toni, Tone' to join his band back in the day. i imagine if they would have accepted, they would've only been used as a back up band and may not have been taken seriously by the industry as having their own sound.

Jeffiner said:

Anybody could do that, not just Prince it's the chance you take in the business. There are thieves and low lifes out there. I'd take my chance with Prince.

Oh God, u have to ask this question? i mean obviously the proteges get an enormous amount of sex from Prince and then on top of that he promotes them while still having enormous amounts of sex with him. Prince is LOVING and GORGEOUS and of course SEXY on top of it all.Of course its a blessing. And of the fame and the money. i'd say its a blessing. i would LOVE to be Prince's next Protege, but he is probably too busy with Bria.

I'm just a dancer and not a singer, so I'd probably latch on the turn Prince on 4 money road.

Dayclear said:

Talk 2 me!

A little bit of both.
More likely, the former.

Dayclear said:

Yeah, Dayclear, you said a mouthful.

It's all how you make the gig work for you. St. Paul has always been active in music. He is working, with the rest of the Family, on the new Family album. he still tours w/ Kenny Loggins, and put out a few albums after The Family.

Vanity certainly went onto other things besides singing "Nasty Girl" over and over.

The Time were a protege type band, and are still around. Sheila E is still active in music, although she was before she got with Prince.

Apollonia went onto more acting (and thankfully not much singing). Now whether she's a good actress or not isn't the question, but she used her new name and association to get work.

Heather B. from the first Real World said "it's not what the show can do for you, it's how you can work that after you leave the show." She was right. That idea goes for being a Prince protege as well. The lack of effort on the protege's part is the curse, not having been the protege.

No way...it's not a desire I have.
[Edited 4/13/09 6:56am]

It depends on who the artist is and what they themselves bring to the table.Some of these people aren't really talented and probably wouldn't have gotten a record deal elsewhere (not mentioning any names,lol).But some of these people (Jam and Lewis,for example) have obvious talent and were able to create their own successful careers when they left the Prince camp.

Someone mentioned Tony Toni Tone,and that's a great example.These guys were planning to sign to Paisley Park Records in 1987,but it's a good thing that they didn't.look how many Paisley Park acts only got to do one album then faded away soon thereafter (Taja Sevelle,Jill Jones,Good Question,The Three O'Clock,etc).Being associated with Prince can sometimes be a curse,as many of these people found out.

Dayclear said:

I know anybody could do it. I'm referring to the times he has done it with various people, who thought they would do better than they did, because he got bored or whatever.

bigjohnrrt said:

I would worry about my life and music being subject to Prince's moods. It seems like he's very easily upset and quick to lash out.

xpertluva said:

I read somewhere that Raphael Saadiq was his bassist during the Japanese leg of the Lovesexy tour. I always thought that Levi Seacer Jr. was the only bassist in those days but apparantly Saadiq filled in for some time.

KoolEaze said:

"Things are gettin' crazy.....I ain't wearin' paisley"
-Toni Tony Tone "Born Not To Know" (1988)-

I'm cute and can sing and dance. However, I'm not an artist (and have no desire to be). So sure,I'd be a pro.te.ge...if only for the experience. Then, I'd go back to my regular life, with a souvenir of myself on a Prince created disc and perhaps a video and some photos. Getting to know and work with Prince a bit might be cool as well.

However, if I were a serious artist...I'd probably stay away.

I have a feeling that once you leave Prince's good graces, that you probably become black balled in the industry. Which could explain why none of Prince protege's went on to be big stars. Well...that or just plain old lack of talent. Sheila E., being the exception of course. Carmen Electra went on to greater fame, but as nothing more than a sex object for hire. She's never been taken seriously.

woogiebear said:

Omg! "Born Not To Know" was one of the first 45's that I'd ever bought ("Hey Little Walter" was on the other side). Since I didn't know at the time that Raphael worked for Prince, I never realized that that line may have been about Prince in some way. Pretty cool to learn... even umteen decades later.

funksterr said:

Another thing to consider: how much control will YOU have over the project? If a new artist collaborates with Prince,people are gonna assume that he's the one doing all the work: writing,producing,etc.Your own talents might be ignored or downplayed and it's very important for a new artist to establish their own identity.

ReginaCarman said:

Even Tevin Campbell?

tc012009 said:

Have you heard of them since?

bigjohnrrt said:

Right! so how much did it help to associate with him anyway?

the 3 Tony's is the perfect example. Jam and Lewis is another. Alexander Oneal another one.

There are several people who were possibly helped but DEFINITELY hindered by their association with Prince and serveral others who were bypassed and went on to do (I would bet all the gold in Fort Knox) did BETTER BECAUSE they were bypassed by Prince.

"Alexander Nevermind", Alexander Oneal is the first one that comes to mind.