{{{As was recently posted on prince.org, I am the author of Possessed: the Rise and Fall of Prince, which will be released this April by Billboard Books/Watson-Guptill Publications. In light of some of the comments posted on prince.org about the book, I wanted to clarify some points about Possessed.

I’m sorry that some got the impression, based on the information posted about the book, that it will be a tabloid-ish, anti-Prince book. Possessed is a serious, honest, solidly reported biography. True enough, those expecting a fawning, feel-good account of Prince’s life and music will be disappointed. But so will anyone expecting an attack or a lurid expose.}}}

Per Nilsen, the author of DanceMusicSexRomance – Prince: the First Decade, and the editor-in-chief of Uptown Magazine, has been involved in Possessed from the very beginning. He provided research for the project, including interview material that wasn’t appropriate for presentation in his earlier projects. He was involved with the planning of the book and has been a source of advice throughout. While I certainly don’t want to claim that Per specifically agrees with every conclusion in Possessed, I can fairly say that his analysis and perspectives on Prince’s work have informed my own conclusions. Possessed is certainly a different type of book than DanceMusicSexRomance, but in some respects I have tried to essentially pick up where Per left off (Possessed covers both the earlier years that Per addressed in his book and also the 1988-2002 period).

Like any serious biography, Possessed addresses myriad aspects of Prince’s life and character. Those who are interested only in the minutia of musical sessions may not like everything in the book (although they probably will find the appendix of Possessed, which contains an extensive discography, invaluable). But those who are interested in understanding Prince as a person, and learning more about the interplay between his life and his art, should find much of interest, including much that has never been revealed before. It’s a penetrating account, one that does not shy away from assessing the many contradictions in Prince’s character. But it’s also a celebration of his creativity and his incredible drive. In short, it’s a complete portrait of a brilliant, extremely complex person.

While I am happy to let others judge this book, I believe it conveys fully my genuine passion and love for Prince’s music. I wrote the book not to savage him, but to understand him better. The title of the book, I believe, merely reflects a basic fact: Prince’s work during the 1990s (and, arguably, the first part of the new decade) does not match that of his earlier work. Once a pop pioneer and cultural revolutionary, Prince has over the years morphed into an often preachy and moralistic figure who, from a musical standpoint borrows (for example, from rap in the early 1990s and today from jazz) far more than he influences. Possessed investigates why this has occurred.

I think that even those who disagree with my conclusions will find that they are fairly supported, and that competing viewpoints are aired throughout the book. Like any professional journalist, I weighed carefully what I was told by people I interviewed. I tried to assess who had an axe to grind, and who was simply relaying the facts as they saw them. Many of the former and present Prince associates I spoke with had a perspective similar to that of many fans: they continue to respect and even revere Prince, but they raised reasonable questions both about some of his musical directions and also his seemingly insatiable appetite for control and power.

At the end of the day, I don’t consider myself a disgruntled fan. I’m simply someone who thinks a lot about Prince and the fascinating musical and personal journey he’s been on for the past several decades. Possessed is the product of that reflection – and a lot of hard work. I intended nothing less than a clear-eyed, fair-minded evaluation of Prince’s amazing career, and once people actually read the book, I hope they will conclude I did a decent job.

Alex Hahn
January 10, 2003

Good luck with the book

Just as a side note though, do u know if (or if u could ask) Per Nilsen will do a follow up to DMSR '88 - 2k3?

Those are fair points and certainly "sells" the book to me more than the "exclusive interviews with Prince's past shags" that seemed to proliferate the PR the other day! Still, I suppose that is what the general masses will be interested in, so it's no surprise that those issues are what si being highlighted.

I will certainly buy it and then judge for myself.

OK Alex , don't worry about the fams!

alexander-

the reason we feel the book will be an "attack" on Prince is partly due to the title. "The Rise and fall.." huh? That should be a title reserved for a book about Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson. Only rock stars who die early sell as many records as they did at their "commercial" height. And then you can't see them in concert anymore.

It seems odd to criticise Prince for 'borrowing' musical styles - he has done this throughout his musical career (cf. guitar lick on Kiss compared to James Brown's Papa's got a Brand New Bag).

Indeed, it was his borrowing and mixing things together that made his work sound so fresh.

It is perhaps a mark of his success that we now take such 'mix and match' for granted. You can only do something for the first time once.

I think we should be amazed that he managed to take this concept and make it sound fresh so many times in the 80s. I think we should also be glad that he seems to be doing this again at the moment.

Even when not at his best as a composer, we can be pleased that the guy really is a fantastic musician who is always worth the price of admission at any of his shows.

I think that we should also be a little more critical in using phrases such as 'pop pioneer and cultural revolutionary' - George Clinton was asking why funk bands can't play rock music when Prince was a little boy.

Anyways, just a thought and definitely looking forward to the book.

'Posessed': great title! It's a very good way to describe the continuous tension in Prince's work.

(and it covers all tragedies of life on earth)

meejaboy - what Alex says there is right. Whilst your point about Prince having always borrowed is correct (and is the same for any artist you care to mention - everything is "borrowed" from somewhere, it just depends on whether you take it on to another level and make it your own, or just sound like a copy) it is about whether that which he borrows and then re-gurgitates is actually influential or pioneering.

Prince has not pioneered a new sound for some time and his influence on music now is from what he did in the 80's - almost everything that is "hot" at the moment seems to have that Prince groove about it! I very much doubt that in 20 years time people are going to be trying to emulate or imitate TRC, or Rave! Rave was not a good album anyway, so that's straight out and, despite TRC being a wonderful album, it in no way innovates or pioneers. Yes, Prince might have "regained" some form, perhaps even found a gear that we have not heard him locate before, but it is no SOTT or any of the other wonderfully original albums he made earlier in his career.

For the record, I think he is more than capable of doing this again with an album, but as to what will inspire him to make that record is anoyone's guess.

I'm really looking forward to this book!

The FALL of Prince...hmm..? I think U will have to eat up those words in time Alex...

First - I´m not a asskisser. As most of his fan-base I´ve also been very negative about the way Prince music developed during most of the 90´s. Specially the 1996-2000 era: "Emancipation", "NPS" ans "Rave". Albums who were very predictable, and with a desperate comeback-wish. To much mainstream to satisfy his fans, and not enough mainstream to attract new young fans. He was in a no-mans-land and no one was listening, and his music diden´t create much controversy. He was more known for his fights against the record-companys, his "symbol-name"...and on and on... then for his music! To sad...
About his carrer U can say that he was ahead of everyone during 1980-88. Behind (or next to, at best) during 1989-95. And way out of focus during 1996-2000. The only records that I really dig during the late 90´s is "The Truth", "The Vault" and "The War". + Some of the energy on "Chaos.." and a few tracks on "Emancipation" disc 2.
BUT during the last year Prince have shown us more creativity then ever!! "TRC" is amazing, darring, good arrangments and with a focus on MUSIC, once again. The beutifull "ONA" piano-thing, and "Xpectation" where he give us a the jazzy mature Madhouse sound. AND not to forget the intimate tour. I´ve seen him since 1987, and have never had such a great time as I had during this tour!!
I would not use the word "fall" for Prince. U can use it for act´s like Alphaville, Rick James...and on and on and on... Groups who once had some impact on music, but are gonne since long time ago...not for Prince. He is developing all the time, and now he is doing it more then ever. If he keeps this band I think the next two years will B very interesting.
Prince is like Bowie, who also had a down-period during the 80´s after "Lets Dance", but came back during the 90´s with fresh stuff like Outside, Earthling... Prince is doing the same right now...over and out.
Sorry 4 my not-so-good english
Peace!

Alex, I respect the fact that you've written a book that's more in depth on Princes life. But my question is why? I'm just like the next fan(m), I love Prince and his music. Just like any other human we all have skeletons in our closet. I've read a few books on Princes life, and still can't seem to understand why people have to exploit the bad side of Prince and his life. Just like when John Lennon died there were many books released making him sound like a complete madman.

I know that Prince dosen't have a rosey past. I was VERY LUCKY growing up in the early 80's because I had a family friend who worked side by side with Prince, and is still in touch with him to this day. I probaly know more about Prince than most people would care to, and probaly even more than what's going to be in your book. BUT you don't see me writing a book about it because it's his life. Like I said before, we're all human and not perfect. Yes Prince has done some very shitty things to certain people, and himself. So why write about it?

Let Prince be Prince. Let the music speak for him. Not some book. I'm willing to bet that the true fan(m) feels the same way. His personal life is just that, personal. I read your statement here and on the uptown site. If what you say about your feelings for Prince are true, then letitgo. Because I know what you have in your book will really shatter some peoples view on Prince.

Good luck in your endeavors, I hope you can sleep well at night.

2 Questions:

How do u think Prince feels about this?

Does he support it?

AlexHahn:

Lots wrong with this, Alex...

For starters, you state as if fact that Prince is a "preachy and moralistic figure" now...the "fact" is that both "preachy" and "moralistic" are subjective terms, not objective...as well as you make it sound as if Prince was not "preachy and moralistic" before now...sorry, but the lyrics to "Partyup" are as preachy and moralistic as anything released recently...although we tend to not see it as preachy simply because, for the most part, we agree with the lyrics...and if agreeing or disagreeing is the main reason we view or don't view Prince as preachy, then you can't really investigate why Prince is now "preachy"...you can only investigate your change of feelings...

Secondly, you say that Prince "borrows" musically far more than he "influences"...I'm curious, though...do you feel Prince has or is possibly influencing the way artists deal both with record labels and with getting their music out to their fans??...As well as do you (in your book) take serious account for the fact that next to no musical artist remains influential throughout their 20+ year career, especially pop artists??...Is any thought given to the fact that maybe you and others expect something from Prince that almost nobody else has achieved, and that because of such high expectations you've set yourself up to automatically be disappointed??...

I do hope you have success with your book...but I gotta agree with others here that titling your book "The Rise And Fall of Prince" clues us into how you view Prince's artistic endeavors as of late: as a failure.

Wellbeyond said:
I do hope you have success with your book...but I gotta agree with others here that titling your book "The Rise And Fall of Prince" clues us into how you view Prince's artistic endeavors as of late: as a failure.[/quote]



Well said wellbeyond.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 13 9:02:23 PST 2003 by Berry]

Well spoken Wellbeyond!
Interesting what U say about "preachy". I do not agree 100% with P, or appriciate when he "preach" nowdays about JW and stuff. But for some this new style might be the "rise", and not the "fall". Just like in 1980, when P changed from beeing a nice Stevie Wonder JR into Prince The Rude Boy! then someone might say that that was the "fall". REMEMBER that many, back in 1985, said that Prince had his "fall" when he released "Around the.."...hmm.. ..and on and on... Just like U say, it´s very hard to B objektive.

Also well spoken about the fact that most of the musicjournalist have (or had) high expectations about Prince. If any other artist released a album like "Chaos..","Symbol","Come" or "Gold" they would B claimed genius!!

wellbeyond said:

I agree, Wellbeyond.

The book will no doubt present a point of view that many Prince fams agree with, so we should take the book as an in-depth presentation of their feelings, not necessarily our own.

I personally feel the Prince's recent music is a success musically and professionally (if not financially, or in Billboard magazine terms). He's on the rise again, challenging himself and his listeners. He's achieved freedom like he's never had before, and from seeing him at his ONA concerts, he seems happier than I've seen him in a long long time. He sure doesn't seem like someone who has fallen to my eyes.

And he has always been preachy, that's one thing that has remained constant in his career. Remember he recites "Our Father" in Controversy? Remember Anna Stasia? So many more, you know them...

Cheers, and good luck with the book!

I have recently read the biography of Kurt Cobain, and whilst there were many things which Kurt did in life which I don't agree with, or found just plan stupid, they were his decisions. Anyway the point of this is that, since reading the book I have listened to his music with a new purpose, and have found this very rewarding. I appricaite the music better. I can only hope that reading this book about Prince (whatever the title!) will open up the "man" to me and give me a new apprication for the excellent music he has produced over the years.

Good luck with the book Alex, I'm looking forward to it.

AlexHahn said:[quote]As was recently posted on prince.org, I am the author of Possessed: the Rise and Fall of Prince, which will be released this April by Billboard Books/Watson-Guptill Publications. In light of some of the comments posted on prince.org about the book, I wanted to clarify some points about Possessed.


While I am happy to let others judge this book, I believe it conveys fully my genuine passion and love for Prince’s music. I wrote the book not to savage him, but to understand him better.

* You've written the book to sell and make money. If you wanted to 'understand' Prince you could have chosen other ways. The title of your book is not the title that an individual who wishes to 'understand' Prince would use. It is full of bias and presummption. It casts a negative light over Prince and his achievements before the reader has even glanced at the first page.


The title of the book, I believe, merely reflects a basic fact: Prince’s work during the 1990s (and, arguably, the first part of the new decade) does not match that of his earlier work. Once a pop pioneer and cultural revolutionary, Prince has over the years morphed into an often preachy and moralistic figure who, from a musical standpoint borrows (for example, from rap in the early 1990s and today from jazz) far more than he influences. Possessed investigates why this has occurred.

* A 'basic fact'? An opinion maybe, but not a fact. 'Often preachy' and 'moralistic'? Again you obviously have your own slant and bias that you will fufill in your book. Many fans have noted that Prince has made a major critical and artistic return to form in 2001 and 2002. I would state that 'The Rainbow Children' is as good as anything he put out in the 80's. Is that now 'basic fact', because I write that it is?

You must consider that we are either unintelligent or very naive. If your book did not contain accounts of Prince's personal relationships and the tragic death of his child, then people would not have concluded that it may be 'tabloid' in nature. You willingly used those contents and included them as part of your work, in order to sell your publication.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 13 10:23:05 PST 2003 by Mr7]

a writer is free to name his book like he wants to

I'm looking forward to reading it. Objectivity when it comes to Prince (loathe him or love him) is often difficult, particularly around here.

Why does everyone get so touchy when they find out true facts regarding Prince? He's not a saint! I'm a fan and been one since 1999 days but enough with the "adoration" to the point that he's "perfect" and doesn't have any faults. He's a human being, believe or not. And time to time he will do some acts that hurt people along the way. The more you see him as a real man with faults the more you appreciate his music and the man(well, for some people the more they knew, the more they were turned off, but each person is different). That's just my opinion. And good luck with the book!

SexualSuicide said:

I've read a few books on Princes life,

That's why.



Doubtful.

thanx 4 the clearin up, mr. hahn...

I'm glad you responded Alex. Very professional of you. I have a better understanding of where you are coming from. Not many authors come right out and communicate with the fans of the subjects they are writing about and are as straight forward as you are here.

I may have jumped to some conclusions but I am also kind of still weary, like others of that one word, FALL and what image that now sets into the perception of Prince to the public.

If you want the best for Prince...then a FALL is not what you want to give to the masses to read about.

The Rise and Fall will may make the public AND future generations look at Prince as a failure.

It may even help perpetuate a view that african americans cannot hold on to success.

Do think that there would be a book named "Madonna: The Rise and Fall"? I know, she's considered a non-failure because as we all know, she's played the game but she herself is nowhere near the talent Prince is. Her movie career though is a failure, so do you see any books named again, "Madonna, Actress: The Rise and Fall"? HHhhmmm?

Like the kiss-ass, missled music journalists making Eminem a "Genius", the "Fall" in the title of the book, which suggests the main content of the book, culturally guides them to what is fact, when in fact, it is not.

It's like a cultural responsibility. I fear that people, kids, especially future generations, future musicians, will take these cultural signs and buy into the twisted twist of looking or referring to someone like Eminem as a "Genius" and Prince as a "Failure".

If that happens, what's failed or fallen is NOT Prince's influence, musical talent, creative spirit, etc, but the perception of what makes a modern musical artist a genius.









ooo
[This message was edited Mon Jan 13 11:09:03 PST 2003 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

"The Rise and Fall will may make the public AND future generations look at Prince as a failure". the public doesn't care about P and the future generation will have certainly others problems that the perception of Prince's career
"It may even help perpetuate a view that african americans cannot hold on to success. " that to be a genius doesn't equal success for ever, I think
[This message was edited Mon Jan 13 13:03:29 PST 2003 by jnoel]

I'm buying the Book& I Like the title.truth be told a Cat with Prince's Talent should never have too play 2nd Fiddle too the Crap that is out now.it's in part due too Prince's choices&also the Buying Public which ultimately makes or breaks you.and it's Great that a Author is willing too Write a Book on Him when you consider How Prince is just Burning up the Charts nowadays?? there are Kids out here whom I've talked too over the past few Years that when you say Prince I've actually heard the Fresh Prince Will Smith?? so I think it's very Vitual too have any type of Book out on a Very Creative Cat like Prince.Michael Jackson said it best last Summer: it ain't like you go too the Bookstore in the Music Section&see a Ton of Books on African-American Musicians??? yes you get Rap&Jazz Books but as far as R&B,Pop,etc..abotu Black Artists at the Big Book Stores?? NO!looking toward getting this book.Props too the Author.

wellbeyond, I agree with your entire post and

especially this:

Cuz that is the bottom line here that people don't want to investigate. Instead, they'd rather project their own changes onto Prince and hold him responsible for not being who they want him to be.

Prince's life like everyone alive is still evolving, and is impossible to sum up with a 1-2 "Rise" and "Fall," especially since he is enjoying some of the best critical acclaim from critics, fans, and friends.

His relevancy to the mainstream music industry has only a little to do with him, and much more to do with the machinations of the industry and the overdrive into consumerism that the industry has taken.

And unless this book looks at Prince's life in context of all else that has gone on in the music and culture, then it will miss half the story.

Really looking forward to this book. But WHY call it the 'Rise and Fall', just possessed would be fantastic. I really think it is trying to add unnecessary intrigue to the potential buyer.

ONTHE1 said:

Exactly, because to the average music fan out there Prince has fallen off the radar. He has no record contract and next to no mainstream exposure. Lets face it, they have to try to sell this book to the average consumer not just a handfull of Prince fams.

A bit of salacious gossip also makes it sound interesting. Prince is no saint you know?


.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 13 14:05:18 PST 2003 by bkw]

I also think the title "The Rise and Fall" is very poor. Firstly, as someone pointed out earlier, it shows what your opinion of Prince is from the outset and for a writer, I don't believe that's a very wise move. Does your vision only move up and down? Can't U see the fuller picture? Is this how, after all his effort, he is evaluated- by record sales? By HOW MANY people like his stuff instead of HOW people love his work?

Secondly, this title lacks creativity. People are sick of 'rise and fall' books and documentaries. "Possessed" on its own would be so much better because it would be appealing to the readers' curiosity and adhering to the mysterious nature of Prince.

But I guess u r a slave to the publishers and they must have some input.

THat's just the title though and I have not read the book so I cannot pass judgement on that...yet