He was legendary for making them. It is an interesting group even though quality seemed to trail off near the end. Like it or not, it just isn't about talent with female artists so you have to assess the total package and the impact it had on the audience.

I think it is still hard to beat Sheila E overall...but lately I dont know. What say you?

Sheila E.

SoulAlive said:

Sheila E.

Shelia.

Yuuuuuuuuuuup Sheila E, the most talented female Protege

She comes from a very musical and talented family...so she had the chops b4 she met P

A side note..if you read wikipedia the song Glamorous Life was written for Vanity to sing, but i have to admit as much of a Denise fan as i am Sheilas talent (percussion, drums, etc.) is what really shows and even though P wrote the song and arranged it and all...Sheila did do an amazing job with it.

[Edited 6/10/16 20:26pm]

..

[Edited 8/1/16 10:33am]

For me, it's a toss up between Sheila E and Jill Jones.

I have to go with Vanity because she was the original to this day she is the template for many trying to be the sex goddess/singer/actress

All the other proteges to follow were in her template some even looked like her

Vashtix said:

I have to go with Vanity because she was the original to this day she is the template for many trying to be the sex goddess/singer/actress

All the other proteges to follow were in her template some even looked like her

Ohhh okayy

Sheila.

Her situation is really how the protege situation should have played out.

- Already obn her way with her own identity

- Prince puts her on and pushes her over the top

- She moves on and maintains stardom in her own right

This was the only one that WORKED lololol

All the rest ....mmmm outside of Rosie and Mavis there was alot of weak sauce.

Not sure you could call those two proteges though --

terrig said:

Sheila.

Her situation is really how the protege situation should have played out.

- Already obn her way with her own identity

- Prince puts her on and pushes her over the top

- She moves on and maintains stardom in her own right

This was the only one that WORKED lololol

All the rest ....mmmm outside of Rosie and Mavis there was alot of weak sauce.

Not sure you could call those two proteges though --

Sheila did have major talent but Vanity also did go on to make movies and albums..she also got a lucrative deal with MOTOWN records as well..she wasn't just gorgeous..the drugs and her demons got her and sadly, ended her life way too soon

GeniusLuv said:

terrig said:

Sheila.

Her situation is really how the protege situation should have played out.

- Already obn her way with her own identity

- Prince puts her on and pushes her over the top

- She moves on and maintains stardom in her own right

This was the only one that WORKED lololol

All the rest ....mmmm outside of Rosie and Mavis there was alot of weak sauce.

Not sure you could call those two proteges though --

Sheila did have major talent but Vanity also did go on to make movies and albums..she also got a lucrative deal with MOTOWN records as well..she wasn't just gorgeous..the drugs and her demons got her and sadly, ended her life way too soon

Vanity did well...but it was based on her beauty and thats not a talent so much as a gift. Her acting was okay but her career is one thats over the second you're too old to be considered hot.

The drugs and lifestyle really took her out her career before she became an enduring star, which is really sad.

Sheila would be a great drummer and musician even if she wasnt beautiful...her beauty helped her alot but her career wasnt based on it. From a pure talent standpoint thats why I chose sheila over Vanity.

Sheila E.

Neither Vanity nor Apollonia could carry a tune, although they were both beautiful girls and Vanity certainly had a presence about her. Jill Jones was a wonderful singer, but her Paisley Park debut doesn't really hold a candle to either of Sheila's first two albums. Carmen Electra and Mayte were just awful, imo. And Bria Valente’s Elixir is nothing to write home about.

I always go back to P’s quote about Vanity: “She loved me for the artist I was. I loved her for the artist she was trying to be.” I don’t think he viewed her or any of his other female proteges as equals. He saw something special in each and every one of them, but he didn’t think they were on his level. Sheila was different.

“The cords that had bound us from the beginning gradually drew us closer. We loved the same kind of music and shared a deep respect for each other’s talents […] He loved the music and musicianship I brought to the table, so he gave me a lot more work. And we had so much fun together!” — Sheila E., The Beat of My Own Drum

From the very beginning, Prince viewed Sheila as his equal. In fact, it was him courting her back in the early days, not the other way around. He recognized a great artist in her and I think that’s why their work together is so strong. They had a mutual and abiding respect for each other and it shows in all three of Sheila’s Paisley Park albums. P really believed in her.

[Edited 6/11/16 18:21pm]

Genuine question - does Sheila really count as a protege in the true definition of the word? I tend to think of her more as one of his peers or equals, not someone who was more inexperienced who he specifically mentored.

Sheila aside (how can you deny the talent of a women consistently voted among the best drummers of all time?) - I may be in the serious minority but I would count 3rdeyegirl as the best of his latter-career female proteges. Some of the 3rdeyegirl-era live shows are seriously amazing.

I agree. Can she really be a protege when she can hold her own and she is his age as well.

She was around doing stuff in the 70's when he met her he said ''i've been following your career...'' according to Sheila.

.

The others he wanted, because of their beauty and sex appeal AND he fell in love with them..i don't dispute that, Vanity was an amazing looking, charasmatic women and he wanted her for more than just music

Berry Gordy even saw that in her and put her in movies and gave her a recording deal...and he wouldn't have wasted time on her if he didn't think she could do it...but yes Sheila had raw talent no one can deny that!

.

These other women were not doing anything musical b4 Prince, but Sheila was AND even sheena easton had a major career MANY top 10 hits..she also is not a protege i feel.

.

I've always said Sheila in her own right, without Prince is talented...she comes from a very talented musical family so definitely didn't need him to play well.

Yes, Sheila was talented before Prince, and is able to hold her own now. Let's not get this twisted though, she is a protege by definition. She said it best, "I became Sheila E and became very famous, very fast."

captiveunicorn said:

Genuine question - does Sheila really count as a protege in the true definition of the word? I tend to think of her more as one of his peers or equals, not someone who was more inexperienced who he specifically mentored.

I think Sheila definitely counts as a protege. Prince took her under his wing and molded her image and sound. Before getting involved with him, she was strictly a percussionist. She's even said herself that without Prince she never would have embarked on a full fledged solo career. She was afraid to take center stage and sing before P came into her life.

The problem with Vanity is....her musical career didn't really blossom after she left the Prince camp.Her two Motown albums sold poorly.She really needed a strong duo like Jam and Lewis.Look at what they were able to do with Janet Jackson (who's not really a great singer,either).I think they could have revitalized Vanity's music career.

SoulAlive said:

The problem with Vanity is....her musical career didn't really blossom after she left the Prince camp.Her two Motown albums sold poorly.She really needed a strong duo like Jam and Lewis.Look at what they were able to do with Janet Jackson (who's not really a great singer,either).I think they could have revitalized Vanity's music career.

I was looking at it as the Best protege- the one that had the presence and star quality. I think it is Vanity. Clearly, Vanity's drug use killed her career.

Sheilah E. was given The Glamourus Life (a song Prince had lined up for Vanity) which is what propelled Sheilah E. into the mainstream popstar. I like Jazz but I do not see jazz musicians getting the attention pop stars do -being a sex vixen ( the outfits etc. , the visual) worked . Prince was a genius - he gave Sheilah the look that was Vanity's. (Vanity came with the look)

Vanity was the original and none of them compared to her for me. Vanity wowed Berry Gordy and the Last Dragon (her movie)holds a special place at least in Black media - it received a razzie for mainstream but it was a very big stepping stones for movies with Black actors/actresses and paved a way for future moies. Vanity was a groundbreaker- with Vanity 6 and with the movies-she was a trailblazer so she is the best one.

Prince said this about Vanity:

We talk of many things, and his ban on discussing the past turns out to be slightly flexible. He makes a point of noting that his reputation as the puppet master behind the Time and even Vanity 6 was exaggerated. "It was all collaborative," he says. "It's not just my vision. It's one thing to say, 'You know what would be cool?' and visualize it ... but then you've got to actually find the people. [The Time's] Morris Day is as good as any funk drummer who ever did it. And Vanity? Nobody could talk like her."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.c...z4BMqX0QIh

I do like Carmen Electra too she is has done well for herself. She ranks for me I include her in the list

1-Vanity

2-Sheila E.

3-Carmen Electra

[Edited 6/12/16 5:30am]

[Edited 6/12/16 7:11am]

motherfunka said:

Yes, Sheila was talented before Prince, and is able to hold her own now. Let's not get this twisted though, she is a protege by definition. She said it best, "I became Sheila E and became very famous, very fast."

Vashtix said:

Prince was a genius - he gave Sheilah the look that was Vanity's. (Vanity came with the look)

.

Vanity was the original and none of them compared to her for me. Vanity wowed Berry Gordy and the Last Dragon (her movie)holds a special place at least in Black media - it received a razzie for mainstream but it was a very big stepping stones for movies with Black actors/actresses and paved a way for future moies. Vanity was a groundbreaker- with Vanity 6 and with the movies-she was a trailblazer so she is the best one.

Prince said this about Vanity:

We talk of many things, and his ban on discussing the past turns out to be slightly flexible. He makes a point of noting that his reputation as the puppet master behind the Time and even Vanity 6 was exaggerated. "It was all collaborative," he says. "It's not just my vision. It's one thing to say, 'You know what would be cool?' and visualize it ... but then you've got to actually find the people. [The Time's] Morris Day is as good as any funk drummer who ever did it. And Vanity? Nobody could talk like her."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.c...z4BMqX0QIh

Vanity herself said it was always collaborative...she helped write the movie Purple Rain and all the moves she had, natural beauty and her style...thats the way she was b4 Prince!!!!

.

Even Rick James noticed her and wanted to form a group around her--Prince stole the idea AND her heart--Mary Jane Girls was supposed to be for Vanity. Berry Gordy saw it, so did many others back then, they all commented on it.

.

Could this many powerful men want to put her in movies and have her sing if she didn't have anything going for her? I mean, yes..she was amazing looking, in my opinion THE BEST LOOKING ONE but she also had talent.

.

Not saying Prince wasn't instrumental in putting her out there to be seen and yes he wrote Nasty Girl but she needs to get some credit for what she did WITH HIM and what she did afterwards, she was in some pretty good movies AND berry gordy would not have wasted time on her and millllllions if she didn't have talent.

.

I still agree Sheila always had talent with or without Prince as well.

GeniusLuv said:

Vashtix said:

Prince was a genius - he gave Sheilah the look that was Vanity's. (Vanity came with the look)

.

Vanity was the original and none of them compared to her for me. Vanity wowed Berry Gordy and the Last Dragon (her movie)holds a special place at least in Black media - it received a razzie for mainstream but it was a very big stepping stones for movies with Black actors/actresses and paved a way for future moies. Vanity was a groundbreaker- with Vanity 6 and with the movies-she was a trailblazer so she is the best one.

Prince said this about Vanity:

We talk of many things, and his ban on discussing the past turns out to be slightly flexible. He makes a point of noting that his reputation as the puppet master behind the Time and even Vanity 6 was exaggerated. "It was all collaborative," he says. "It's not just my vision. It's one thing to say, 'You know what would be cool?' and visualize it ... but then you've got to actually find the people. [The Time's] Morris Day is as good as any funk drummer who ever did it. And Vanity? Nobody could talk like her."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.c...z4BMqX0QIh

Vanity herself said it was always collaborative...she helped write the movie Purple Rain and all the moves she had, natural beauty and her style...thats the way she was b4 Prince!!!!

.

Even Rick James noticed her and wanted to form a group around her--Prince stole the idea AND her heart--Mary Jane Girls was supposed to be for Vanity. Berry Gordy saw it, so did many others back then, they all commented on it.

.

Could this many powerful men want to put her in movies and have her sing if she didn't have anything going for her? I mean, yes..she was amazing looking, in my opinion THE BEST LOOKING ONE but she also had talent.

.

Not saying Prince wasn't instrumental in putting her out there to be seen and yes he wrote Nasty Girl but she needs to get some credit for what she did WITH HIM and what she did afterwards, she was in some pretty good movies AND berry gordy would not have wasted time on her and millllllions if she didn't have talent.

.

I still agree Sheila always had talent with or without Prince as well.

Yes she is a great musician but Prince handed Sheilah The Glamorous Life (what Prince had created for Vanity to perform)and Sheilah worked with it. In my mind if you are taking from the original . . . just my thoughts -Sheilah is undisputed in talent and I give her much respect and I see her as a bandmate AND the sex-vixen image -the template in my mind made her Sheilah E.

[Edited 6/12/16 7:13am]

[Edited 6/12/16 17:50pm]

i know The Glamorous Life was written for Vanity but i wasn't aware of anything else??

GeniusLuv said:

i know The Glamorous Life was written for Vanity but i wasn't aware of anything else??

I stand corrected - I don't know either

terrig said:

Vanity did well...but it was based on her beauty and thats not a talent so much as a gift. Her acting was okay but her career is one thats over the second you're too old to be considered hot.

The drugs and lifestyle really took her out her career before she became an enduring star, which is really sad.

Sheila would be a great drummer and musician even if she wasnt beautiful...her beauty helped her alot but her career wasnt based on it. From a pure talent standpoint thats why I chose sheila over Vanity.

I agree with this.Vanity was great but we gotta be honest.Her amazing beauty is the real reason why she got those opportunities.It's the same thing with Carmen Elektra.Her beauty is why she got certain opportunities.Sheila is an artist who is very pretty,but it's her musical talent that got her where she is.At one point,she was playing drums for Ringo Starr.She is considered one of the best drummers in the business.

SoulAlive said:

terrig said:

Vanity did well...but it was based on her beauty and thats not a talent so much as a gift. Her acting was okay but her career is one thats over the second you're too old to be considered hot.

The drugs and lifestyle really took her out her career before she became an enduring star, which is really sad.

Sheila would be a great drummer and musician even if she wasnt beautiful...her beauty helped her alot but her career wasnt based on it. From a pure talent standpoint thats why I chose sheila over Vanity.

I agree with this.Vanity was great but we gotta be honest.Her amazing beauty is the real reason why she got those opportunities.It's the same thing with Carmen Elektra.Her beauty is why she got certain opportunities.Sheila is an artist who is very pretty,but it's her musical talent that got her where she is.At one point,she was playing drums for Ringo Starr.She is considered one of the best drummers in the business.

Sheilah is VERY talented but noone knew who she was until she donned the lingerie - as was noted before a Protege for Prince had to fit a template. Once Sheilah did that people knew who she was and I love her to this day.

GeniusLuv said:

motherfunka said:

For me, it's a toss up between Sheila E and Jill Jones.

After Wendy and Lisa, Jill Jones is the most grossly overrated protege

endiadj said: