Prince's gun-shaped microphone? I've always been curious as to why he has a mic that is shaped like a handgun. Is there some symbolism behind it, because he was using it when I went to the June 12, Bossier City, La concert and on the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction. I ask this mainly because Prince has always been big on his non-violence stance. I'm hoping some of my wise Org elders can give me an idea behind this piece of equipment. Does he have it because he can "kill 'em with the mic", so to speak, or maybe because it looks cool or sumthin'. Fill me in.

It's just kewl imagery, methinks.

I always thought it was tied in with his "Godfather" fascination -- plus, I remember it first appearing during a live performance of "Bob George" by Camille during the Lovesexy tour. Didn't it? If not, it was prominent in the Sexy MF video -- fit the whole look and feel of that period very well.

Snap said:

No it didn't. He just held the mic like a gun when he shot Cat.

One bit of symbolism associated with guns, is that they are often considered to be phallic symbols, as well as symbols of (masculine) power...

Prince has always been big on non-violence in the context you describe but, in contrast, there is a lot of forceful sexual imagery (bondage references in 'Eye Hate U', etc) and references to violent sex ('Lady Cab Driver', for instance) in some of his songs.

People of both sexes enjoy all the kinky stuff, so I'm not saying it's misogynist or anything - although there's some questionable stuff in some songs (The "I'd never raise my hand to U / No telling what my foot'd do!" line in 'Sarah', etc....) and one common feature that I've noticed with a lot of the sexual fantasy images he uses is that he's always the one with power/control... So it kind of goes along with a sex=power sort of a stance.

Maybe the gun fits in with that....? (Hey, it's a thread about symbolism so why not go off on a tangent...!)

Plus, perhaps he's overcompensating - cuz from what I've seen from those tight-trouser pics, the dude is only packing a 9mm.....

He wants to kill you with his Lyrics.

Does it matter about the microphone gun??? I think it's pretty cool I always liked it from when I 1st discovered he had it. He's only missing one thing.. a red one

superspaceboy said:

lol i was thinking something along those lines
or using his voice/music as his weapon of choice? (i know its pretty much the same thing sorry)

It was used when he was into The Rap Phase back in 1993. It's Not about VIOLENCe...Prince Isn't Into VIOLENCe or FIGHTing..He ABHORS that. Not into War.. Remember Purple Rain was FICTIOn... Reviewers of Prince's 1993 Concert Thought the Reporters part where the Dancers took their clothes of was Anti-Woman. I Think Women's Groups or say Religious Groups are MISINTERPRETINg PRINCe and SIMPLY Find Things to Pick On Since They Hate Him.. These ARE STUPID People who Aren't Fans!

Thanks everyone for the input. I love watching him spin the gun mic. I always sit there and watch it and wonder how long it took him to master that little move. I tried it with a fake gun and it flew off of my finger and hit me in the eye.

I don't think it symbolizes anything. I think it's easier 2do tricks with and it's funky and nobody else is doing it. It's a fresh stage prop, but he spins it the way Sammy Davis Jr. use 2 spin his guns during performances on the ED'Sullian show back in the 60's! Maybe it's his version of Parliament's Bop Gun!

deebee said:

Not sure about compensating for his penis size, but I do think he has serious Little Man Syndrome.

listen if you guys are going to get all freudian on Prince you're gonna have to start not a new thread, but a new forum!! I mean let's face it, Freud can trace everything back to sex and well .. Prince quite often talk about .. sex!!

Heidi said:

Yes, but but if you showed Prince an inkblot test and asked him to describe what it looked like, he'd say "That looks like standard pattern # 57 of the Rorschach ink blot series to test obsessive compulsive disorder."


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[This message was edited Thu Aug 19 18:06:06 2004 by AsianBomb777]