Denise Katrina Vanity Matthews

A woman I never met or spoke to but always rooted for and admired. There was such overpowering beauty, grace, vivaciousness and vulnerability to this woman even in a gorrilla fur with that snare on your face. Incredibly blessed by God. Incredibly beloved by so many. An artist in the true form . A lover of God/Jesus/ humans, animals. In her preaching you could hear her heart.

My world has been effected by your presence on this earth and I feel blessed to have been on earth same time as you. Not just songs to dance too but even in your preaching. I know there are constant jokes about it but The preaching gives encouragement to go on and keep striving just do it, to love God no boundaries, no fear, no excuses.

A woman of class, never used her relationship with Prince as a moneygrab.

A trendsetter ;the first Pop-Princess phenom as we know today. Madonna, Janet, Britney, Beyonce and so many others followed your template. I mean the boots, the tuxedo tails, the lace gloves, pearls, unapologetic sexy,owning it all.

Truly a woman of God even back during the days in the Purple Kingdom. YES even then because all those gifts exhibted were from the Lord and it was beautiful .

You are missed.

R.I.P.

[Edited 2/15/17 19:40pm]

The Starr ★ Company

Jamie Starr's a thief
It's Time 2 fix your clock
Vanity 6 is so sweet
No U can all take a bite of my purple rock...

In general, the music made by Prince, The Time and Vanity 6 is a new sort of funk music - expansive, open to new rhythms and off-beat ideas. Best of all, it's a radical sound that's commercially successful, something adventurous music rarely achieves these days.By Ken Tucker Sunday, November 21, 1982

Nasty Girl
Bite the Beat
Make Up

Drive Me Wild

2 Much

Mink Kitty Cat
He's So Dull

I Need A Man

3 x 2 = 6

If A Girl Answers(Don't Hang Up)
Wet Dream

Moral Majority

"All eight of these dumb, dancy little synth tunes get me off when I let my guard down, and most of them are funny, hooky, and raunchy at the same time." ~The Village Voice, Robert Christgau

The Hookers/Vanity 6, home studio, late 1981 – early 1982
Moral Majority #1
Vagina – also the name offered to Denise Matthews when she joined The Hookers in January 1982

Home studio, early 1982
All The Critics Love U In New York (5:55)*
Do Yourself A Favour #2 (previously “If You See Me”) (8:41) (Pepé Willie)
Money Don’t Grow On Trees – possibly intended for The Hookers
No Call U #1 (3:02)

Vanity 6, Sunset Sound, 25 March – 9 April 1982 – album completed in May
Bite The Beat (3:13)* (Prince/Jesse Johnson)
He’s So Dull (2:32)* (Dez Dickerson) - produced, guitar & drums by Dez Dickerson
Too Much
Nasty Girl (5:16)*
Wet Dream #2 (4:11)*
Let’s Pretend We’re Married (7:20)* (30/3)
Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me? #4 (1/4)
Extra Loveable (7:06) (3/4)
If A Girl Answers (Don’t Hang Up) (5:35)* (Prince/Terry Lewis)
3 x 2 = 6 (5:22)* (5/4)
If It’ll Make U Happy (6/4)

Home studio, 1982
Boom, Boom, Can’t U Feel The Beat Of My Heart #1
Can’t Stop This Feeling I Got #1
Don’t Let Him Fool Ya #1
Fox Trap
Girl (7:36)*
Horny Toad (2:13)*
I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man #1
Lust U Always #1
Mink Kitty Cat #1 – intended for Vanity, tentative placing
My Baby Knows How To Love Me #1
New Position #1
Purple Music #1 (10:48)
Purple Music #2 (10:35) – extra guitar parts & vocal differences
Strange Relationship #1
Teacher, Teacher #1
U Should Be Mine (possibly instrumental) – offered to Eric Leeds in July 1989 for new Madhouse album
Yah, U Know #1
You’re My Love #1

Sunset Sound, 7-14 January 1983
Little Red Corvette (Dance Mix) (8:22)*
Drive Me Wild (Extended Version) (7:08)*

13 months ago Denise writes:

My Nephrologist told me Friday afternoon that i did not have Pacreatitis" and that is good news however the bad news is they say i have "Sclerosis Encapsulating Peritonitis" I thought the first diagnosis was weird because i was never a drinker nor have i ever been drunk in my whole life, that was not my drug of choice "back in the day. I was on a Peritoneal type of dialysis for six years and we know that whatever we do unto our body feeding it chemically, dialysis medicines, unless it is perfectly organic can lead to much suffering in its end. I went into the emergency twice this week, boy it is not fun suffering in this body of weak flesh... but Jesus is straightening out all my crooked places in my heart as i go thru this time of pain....i won't complain! I cried aloud begging Jesus to help me thru this pain and three nurses rushed to my door ... only to tell me loudly "BE Quiet" I had been waiting in excruciating pain for at least an hour and 45 minutes begging for help!...Then they slammed my door and left me. "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake… It was the name of Jesus that some do hate...but forgive them they know not what they do, i pray them Jesus before it is too late amen.

So pray for me now for i am believing in complete healing of this body longing to be healed made whole my heart… I have my vision, i keep it close. I repent daily my sins, my faults and my shortcomings. He has brought me out of so many fires, oh so many, 23 years alive after the doctors pronounced i would be dead way back then 1992...I lift my head up high to the sky and do thank my Jesus that He has kept me thus far and even as much as this body would love to be with Him in Heaven right this minute... for He is my true love and King over my life...even as the Apostle Paul yearned also to be with Him in the Heavenly's ....As well David the King… we have our duty and i will serve my generation...i am happy to live and declare my testimonies with joy unspeakable believing for Him to pull me thru. I will endure until He comes for my soul... Tho my testimonies, some hard and some dangerously painful are all unto the glory of the Lord. i am learning continuous obedience always hoping for change to become who He is... thru all my sufferings ...And my King has made my heart soft...My very first prayer on my deathbed to Jesus was" Do whatever it takes to save me, just don't let me die...Whatever it takes, make my heart whole...

He is busily working on me...

If you are suffering thru something right now i lift you to Jesus… may He preserve you and keep you unto His heavenly kingdom and may you endure thru your change in Him...

He knows what it takes to break us, make us deliver us into His Holy hands amen…

Make our hearts Whole amen...!nluvdenise

Denise Matthews

January 5^th 2016

At 57, you left this earth far too young. As Vanity you were a trailblazer with your glamorous fashion, pushing the envelope in the pop culture way before Madonna and others. Your beauty was breathtaking. Little girls, teens, and young women desired to look like you and be like you. Though you described those days as being of ones of pain, torment, and nothingness, we didn't see that. When you sang in Vanity 6, as a solo singer, or as acted in movies, you always displayed poise, strength, ambition, and we even saw the rebel in you. You were a true artist in your own right before belted one single note in "Nasty Girl". You were more than just a pretty face.

As an evangelist, you inspired and challenged many in their faith walk using your own experience as an example. People were led to Christ because of you.

RIP Ms. Denise Katrina Matthews...

.

purplegirl00 said:

At 57, you left this earth far too young. As Vanity you were a trailblazer with your glamorous fashion, pushing the envelope in the pop culture way before Madonna and others. Your beauty was breathtaking. Little girls, teens, and young women desired to look like you and be like you. Though you described those days as being of ones of pain, torment, and nothingness, we didn't see that. When you sang in Vanity 6, as a solo singer, or as acted in movies, you always displayed poise, strength, ambition, and we even saw the rebel in you. You were a true artist in your own right before belted one single note in "Nasty Girl". You were more than just a pretty face.

As an evangelist, you inspired and challenged many in their faith walk using your own experience as an example. People were led to Christ because of you.

RIP Ms. Denise Katrina Matthews...

.

Denise overcame a lot of challenges to become an empowered survivor and a dedicated servant to God. As an entertainer or as an evangelist, she is a true inspiration to all. RIP Denise Katrina Matthews.

purplegirl00 said:

At 57, you left this earth far too young. As Vanity you were a trailblazer with your glamorous fashion, pushing the envelope in the pop culture way before Madonna and others. Your beauty was breathtaking. Little girls, teens, and young women desired to look like you and be like you. Though you described those days as being of ones of pain, torment, and nothingness, we didn't see that. When you sang in Vanity 6, as a solo singer, or as acted in movies, you always displayed poise, strength, ambition, and we even saw the rebel in you. You were a true artist in your own right before belted one single note in "Nasty Girl". You were more than just a pretty face.

As an evangelist, you inspired and challenged many in their faith walk using your own experience as an example. People were led to Christ because of you.

RIP Ms. Denise Katrina Matthews...

.

Your post is touching and real. Thank you so much.

TOB said:

13 months ago Denise writes:

My Nephrologist told me Friday afternoon that i did not have Pacreatitis" and that is good news however the bad news is they say i have "Sclerosis Encapsulating Peritonitis" I thought the first diagnosis was weird because i was never a drinker nor have i ever been drunk in my whole life, that was not my drug of choice "back in the day. I was on a Peritoneal type of dialysis for six years and we know that whatever we do unto our body feeding it chemically, dialysis medicines, unless it is perfectly organic can lead to much suffering in its end. I went into the emergency twice this week, boy it is not fun suffering in this body of weak flesh... but Jesus is straightening out all my crooked places in my heart as i go thru this time of pain....i won't complain! I cried aloud begging Jesus to help me thru this pain and three nurses rushed to my door ... only to tell me loudly "BE Quiet" I had been waiting in excruciating pain for at least an hour and 45 minutes begging for help!...Then they slammed my door and left me. "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake… It was the name of Jesus that some do hate...but forgive them they know not what they do, i pray them Jesus before it is too late amen.

So pray for me now for i am believing in complete healing of this body longing to be healed made whole my heart… I have my vision, i keep it close. I repent daily my sins, my faults and my shortcomings. He has brought me out of so many fires, oh so many, 23 years alive after the doctors pronounced i would be dead way back then 1992...I lift my head up high to the sky and do thank my Jesus that He has kept me thus far and even as much as this body would love to be with Him in Heaven right this minute... for He is my true love and King over my life...even as the Apostle Paul yearned also to be with Him in the Heavenly's ....As well David the King… we have our duty and i will serve my generation...i am happy to live and declare my testimonies with joy unspeakable believing for Him to pull me thru. I will endure until He comes for my soul... Tho my testimonies, some hard and some dangerously painful are all unto the glory of the Lord. i am learning continuous obedience always hoping for change to become who He is... thru all my sufferings ...And my King has made my heart soft...My very first prayer on my deathbed to Jesus was" Do whatever it takes to save me, just don't let me die...Whatever it takes, make my heart whole...

He is busily working on me...

If you are suffering thru something right now i lift you to Jesus… may He preserve you and keep you unto His heavenly kingdom and may you endure thru your change in Him...

He knows what it takes to break us, make us deliver us into His Holy hands amen…

Make our hearts Whole amen...!nluvdenise

Denise Matthews

January 5^th 2016

Forever and Always a woman after God's heart. Amazing spirit.

For those that weren't in the chat tonight, I'm sharing the link I shared there. www.denisekmatthews.com for any fans/supporters/admirers of Prince and Vanity. Take care! Enjoyed you all in chat! Love for Denise always!

[Edited 2/15/17 19:52pm]

[Edited 2/20/17 2:39am]

TOB said:

luvgirl said:

TOB said:

13 months ago Denise writes:

My Nephrologist told me Friday afternoon that i did not have Pacreatitis" and that is good news however the bad news is they say i have "Sclerosis Encapsulating Peritonitis" I thought the first diagnosis was weird because i was never a drinker nor have i ever been drunk in my whole life, that was not my drug of choice "back in the day. I was on a Peritoneal type of dialysis for six years and we know that whatever we do unto our body feeding it chemically, dialysis medicines, unless it is perfectly organic can lead to much suffering in its end. I went into the emergency twice this week, boy it is not fun suffering in this body of weak flesh... but Jesus is straightening out all my crooked places in my heart as i go thru this time of pain....i won't complain! I cried aloud begging Jesus to help me thru this pain and three nurses rushed to my door ... only to tell me loudly "BE Quiet" I had been waiting in excruciating pain for at least an hour and 45 minutes begging for help!...Then they slammed my door and left me. "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake… It was the name of Jesus that some do hate...but forgive them they know not what they do, i pray them Jesus before it is too late amen.

So pray for me now for i am believing in complete healing of this body longing to be healed made whole my heart… I have my vision, i keep it close. I repent daily my sins, my faults and my shortcomings. He has brought me out of so many fires, oh so many, 23 years alive after the doctors pronounced i would be dead way back then 1992...I lift my head up high to the sky and do thank my Jesus that He has kept me thus far and even as much as this body would love to be with Him in Heaven right this minute... for He is my true love and King over my life...even as the Apostle Paul yearned also to be with Him in the Heavenly's ....As well David the King… we have our duty and i will serve my generation...i am happy to live and declare my testimonies with joy unspeakable believing for Him to pull me thru. I will endure until He comes for my soul... Tho my testimonies, some hard and some dangerously painful are all unto the glory of the Lord. i am learning continuous obedience always hoping for change to become who He is... thru all my sufferings ...And my King has made my heart soft...My very first prayer on my deathbed to Jesus was" Do whatever it takes to save me, just don't let me die...Whatever it takes, make my heart whole...

He is busily working on me...

If you are suffering thru something right now i lift you to Jesus… may He preserve you and keep you unto His heavenly kingdom and may you endure thru your change in Him...

He knows what it takes to break us, make us deliver us into His Holy hands amen…

Make our hearts Whole amen...!nluvdenise

Denise Matthews

January 5^th 2016

This was an inspiring message in many ways. It shows the strength I admire so much in her. In regards to how the nurses treated her, I'm ashamed... I work in the medical field and what she went through in her last hours, only enforces my resolve to be compassionate to those I care for in sickness, no matter what I am going through myself. Sometimes you need a reminder. Thank you for sharing. [Edited 2/16/17 5:21am]

There is no doubt in my mind that it was her faith in Christ that sustained her those many years.

We debated and agreed to disagree on many religious issues, but I her faith was never in question.

I remember (in the 90s) how she would whisper to me when she'd shared a new understand, as if it were a secret Jesus just explained it to her.

I remembered being like that. I remembered the on going constant dialog as she was now experiencing, as an unended prayer which simply became conversation. She'd ask Jesus for everything, even to help find things she misplaced (which is a whole other story).

It always caught me off guard when Jesus answered aloud... and in a female voice. Unaware her secretary had been sitting patiently on speaker phone for the past 15 minutes I had been there.

Honestly, sometimes I really did know if she was talking to me or Jesus.

This is who I knew, this is who she was... a woman of faith, a Woman of God.

OldFriends4Sale said:

RIP Denise/Vanity

We'll Never Forget - Denise "Vanity" Matthews - Thank You

[Edited 2/18/17 16:21pm]

Goddess4Real said:

luvgirl said:

Goddess4Real said:

RIP Denise/Vanity

We'll Never Forget - Denise "Vanity" Matthews - Thank You

[Edited 2/18/17 16:21pm]

These were beautiful. The second one was especially moving...

I tried to find ones that covered Denise the preacher, as well as Vanity.....her 2 sides.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Interesting... Yesterday I was doing research on something Denise had created using this image.

In May 2016 the USPS issued 2 postage stamps in honor of Prince. 7 years earlier Denise had created 2 stamps of her own.

Since the company's website that had issued the stamps doesn't seem to be currently operational, I was searching to see if that company was ever an authorized vendor US Post Office.

Which would be the difference between the stamp being (face value) currency or simple a vanity sticker. Either or which I find ironic.

I remember DeBorah getting a kick out of them when she saw them, exclaiming houmerously and endearingly "AT(A)AB." Laughing the double connotation.

However, I only vaguely remember if she had used the stamps to mail us something back then.

Finding: The company appears to have once been authorized.

luvgirl said:

Goddess4Real said:

RIP Denise/Vanity

We'll Never Forget - Denise "Vanity" Matthews - Thank You

[Edited 2/18/17 16:21pm]

These were beautiful. The second one was especially moving...

Who is singing the song in the second video? Beautifiul song 4 a beautifiul woman.

TOB said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Interesting... Yesterday I was doing research on something Denise had created using this image.

In May 2016 the USPS issued 2 postage stamps in honor of Prince. 7 years earlier Denise had created 2 stamps of her own.

Since the company's website that had issued the stamps doesn't seem to be currently operational, I was searching to see if that company was ever an authorized vendor US Post Office.

Which would be the difference between the stamp being (face value) currency or simple a vanity sticker. Either or which I find ironic.

I remember DeBorah getting a kick out of them when she saw them, exclaiming houmerously and endearingly "AT(A)AB." Laughing the double connotation.

However, I only vaguely remember if she had used the stamps to mail us something back then.

Finding: The company appears to have once been authorized.

Hi TOB Thanks for posting. Glad we didn't scare you off

Sunny

Since I have been accused of kissing ass on this board for wanting to discuss Vanity I will also say Thank you TOB for not being ran off. I enjoy learning more about Denise/Vanity and glad you did not get ran off .I will not stop wanting to discuss Denise/Vanity just due to cruel words being aimed at my interest if Vanity/Denise.

Vashtix said:

Vashtix said:

Since I have been accused of kissing ass on this board for wanting to discuss Vanity I will also say Thank you TOB for not being ran off. I enjoy learning more about Denise/Vanity and glad you did not get ran off .I will not stop wanting to discuss Denise/Vanity just due to cruel words being aimed at my interest if Vanity/Denise.

You and me both, girl! Yet, because I have a critical view, **I** am the attacker. How does that work? Anyway, I'm so glad for what TOB has shared up to this point, as he had no obligation to do it. If being thankful and appreciative of that makes me an ass kisser, then so be it. I'll openly admit that I would love to hear more about Denise's story. I have enjoyed learning about her artistry and of course her relationship with Prince from what she left behind. However, life is not a free for all and does not need to be an open book, so if TOB decides not to continue sharing, it's completely understandable. He, Deborah, and the rest of the family have my respect and prayers as they continue journeying life without Denise.

purplegirl00 said:

Vashtix said:

Since I have been accused of kissing ass on this board for wanting to discuss Vanity I will also say Thank you TOB for not being ran off. I enjoy learning more about Denise/Vanity and glad you did not get ran off .I will not stop wanting to discuss Denise/Vanity just due to cruel words being aimed at my interest if Vanity/Denise.

You and me both, girl! Yet, because I have a critical view, **I** am the attacker. How does that work? Anyway, I'm so glad for what TOB has shared up to this point, as he had no obligation to do it. If being thankful and appreciative of that makes me an ass kisser, then so be it. I'll openly admit that I would love to hear more about Denise's story. I have enjoyed learning about her artistry and of course her relationship with Prince from what she left behind. However, life is not a free for all and does not need to be an open book, so if TOB decides not to continue sharing, it's completely understandable. He, Deborah, and the rest of the family have my respect and prayers as they continue journeying life without Denise.