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Why Prince chose Tony M to rap. A theory I have is that Tony sounds similar to Chuck D., the bass-ness of their voice. Public Enemy was much more popular at the time when that version of the NPG came out, so maybe Prince was trying to capitilise on the sound. By the way, Prince and Chuck D are close. | |
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interesting observation How can I live 4 love? I'm calling!!! | |
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Prince originally hired Tony M, Damon D and Kirky J as backup dancers in 1988. They were first featured in the Glam Slam video (and rumor has it they are the upstairs male dancers in Purple Rain - you know the ones, when The Time are playing). Anyway, the story I've heard is that he heard Tony rapping one day and thought he had some talent. He was first featured as a rapper on the New Power Generation Maxi-Single and the rest is history
I vaguely remember reading a quote from Tommy Barbarella saying something like "Prince really believed in Tony M, even if no one else did!"  [Edited 6/21/05 7:01am] Toejam @ Peach & Black Podcast: http://peachandblack.podbean.com
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Oliver said: A theory I have is that Tony sounds similar to Chuck D., the bass-ness of their voice. Public Enemy was much more popular at the time when that version of the NPG came out, so maybe Prince was trying to capitilise on the sound. By the way, Prince and Chuck D are close.
Nah. If he wanted Chuck D he would have just gotten Chuck D to do it. I doubt he would have turned Prince down. Good thing Tony's work on that Hoop Dreams tune came about after his time with Prince. That surely would have lost him the gig.  | |
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I always thought it involved a lost poker bet but I wasn't sure. All good things they say never last... | |
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RipHer2Shreds said: Nah. If he wanted Chuck D he would have just gotten Chuck D to do it.
Prince needed a rapper he could take on the road - Chuck D isn't going to drop everything to be a backup rapper on a Prince tour. | |
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thedoorkeeper said: RipHer2Shreds said: Nah. If he wanted Chuck D he would have just gotten Chuck D to do it.
Prince needed a rapper he could take on the road - Chuck D isn't going to drop everything to be a backup rapper on a Prince tour. True. I was thinking along the lines of an appearance on an album. | |
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Oliver said: A theory I have is that Tony sounds similar to Chuck D., the bass-ness of their voice. Public Enemy was much more popular at the time when that version of the NPG came out, so maybe Prince was trying to capitilise on the sound. By the way, Prince and Chuck D are close.
I think that Prince should have left that aspect alone. No disrespect, but instead of having that Tony M guy, he should have reached out to the proper well established MC's that could help get the message across. As a music fan that breathes hip hop, I think by Prince having well-established and respected MC's guest shot on some of those songs, it would have made some of those tracks more acceptable, not by mainstream media, but music fans as a whole. For instance, I usually only listen to the "Muerto Mix" version of My Name Is Prince because of that rapping at the end in the original. I love the way the original song begins, but I dont like that dude at the end singing. Guru from Gangstarr, Big Daddy Kane or Rakim in the early 90's could have fit the role much better. Just my humble opinion. | |
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I fell that Doug E was more irritating with his human beatbox rapping...thank God he disappeared if u cant tell me if Prince or Rosie did the opening scream for Gett Off, then u are not purple !!! | |
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'Why Prince chose Tony M to rap.'
because he liked the way Tony looked in a bathing-suit. | |
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destinyismine said: interesting observation |
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I truly believe that the reason why Prince chose Tony M to rap is he didn't know nothing about rap... Or what is a good rapper...
When Prince started to rap he was in his 30's in the early 90's, the best MC's during this time were like 18/20 years old, they grew up with hip hop... It wasn't the case for Prince and you can hear it...  [Edited 6/21/05 12:38pm] |
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krayzie said: I truly believe that the reason why Prince chose Tony M to rap is he didn't know nothing about rap... Or what is a good rapper...
When Prince started to rap he was in his 30's in the early 90's, the best MC's during this time were like 1820 years old, they grew up with hip hop... It wasn't the case for Prince and you can hear it... 1820 years old? Man, they must have been in the Guiness Book of World Records as the oldest humans ever  | |
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ares said: krayzie said: I truly believe that the reason why Prince chose Tony M to rap is he didn't know nothing about rap... Or what is a good rapper...
When Prince started to rap he was in his 30's in the early 90's, the best MC's during this time were like 1820 years old, they grew up with hip hop... It wasn't the case for Prince and you can hear it... 1820 years old? Man, they must have been in the Guiness Book of World Records as the oldest humans ever
Yeah I messed up my post .
I was talkin about the best Mc's who were like 18/20 years old when Prince started to rap... |
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I'm sure Prince picked Tony just because he was already a backing dancer. He was just conveniently there.
I mean, didn't Kirky J became his drummer and programmer?! If he could do that all along, what the hell was he doing being a dancer?! I just think Prince went, right, you're the drummer - go off and learn how to drum! Prince has a habit of putting his friends in front of the mic (is it in front of a mic, or behind it?! If you were in front of it nobody would hear you!) whether they want to or not. Shiela E was just a percussionist, and Prince made her sing. All his girlfriends seem to find themselves behind a mic at some point or other - actually, Mani is noticeable by her abscence, not even a whisper of backing vox. Either Prince has learned his lesson and wants to keep her away from the limelight - or she has a really terrible singing voice... [Edited 6/21/05 12:59pm] | |
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I think Tony was picked simply cos Prince was feeling fucking stupid that day. | |
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Oliver said: A theory I have is that Tony sounds similar to Chuck D., the bass-ness of their voice. Public Enemy was much more popular at the time when that version of the NPG came out, so maybe Prince was trying to capitilise on the sound. By the way, Prince and Chuck D are close.
I agree with you. Wasn't Tomy M in Purple Rain though? During Jungle love he is one of the three guys dancing in the balcony? I can't remember where I heard that but I think he was the tallest guy up there.  | |
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You all are funny about Chuck D and Prince back then. I read an interview in 1988 where Chuck D criticized Prince for weakening the image of the strong black man, by straightening his hair and acting feminine.
I also rememeber when I first heard this new voice rapping on the New Power Generation maxi single, it did sound very masculine and blew away TC Ellis. Who knew that would and up being the much hated Tony M? My art book: http://www.lulu.com/spotl...ecomicskid
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Prince picked Tony because he needed to hear himself rapping through
another voice just like he does with most of his proteges Female Prince- Vanity or Apollonia Manlier more urban Prince- The Time Rapping Prince- Tony M. just my theory  If you will, so will I | |
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metalorange said: I'm sure Prince picked Tony just because he was already a backing dancer. He was just conveniently there.
U r absolutely right! He was convenient. And Prince has been rapping since 'Irrisistable Bitch'! P knew about rap. Prince was reppin Minny. I told y'all b4. If P likes or wants something he could give a damn what others think. P did'nt say 2himself"let me go get a bomb ass rapper and picked Tony M. Tony was a dancer back in the Purple Rain dayz and also danced on the Nude Tour and even does a rap during the song called'The Future' during the show.I mean, didn't Kirky J became his drummer and programmer?! If he could do that all along, what the hell was he doing being a dancer?! I just think Prince went, right, you're the drummer - go off and learn how to drum! Prince has a habit of putting his friends in front of the mic (is it in front of a mic, or behind it?! If you were in front of it nobody would hear you!) whether they want to or not. Shiela E was just a percussionist, and Prince made her sing. All his girlfriends seem to find themselves behind a mic at some point or other - actually, Mani is noticeable by her abscence, not even a whisper of backing vox. Either Prince has learned his lesson and wants to keep her away from the limelight - or she has a really terrible singing voice... [Edited 6/21/05 12:59pm] U,ME,WE!....2FUNKY! | |
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wallysafford said: 'Why Prince chose Tony M to rap.'
because he liked the way Tony looked in a bathing-suit.  | |
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(In my opinion)
Prince was successful with his other spin offs so he figured through smoke and mirrors he could make anybody "a star." But this time we got Tony M and "Jughead". In the so-called pop idiom he got away with it but he didn't understand that hip-hop fans don't want any B.S. They want you to "Bring it." (We won't spin this off into a "Well, how do you explain P Diddy?" Thread!) | |
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toejam said: Prince originally hired Tony M, Damon D and Kirky J as backup dancers in 1988. They were first featured in the Glam Slam video
1987, one of the Madhouse video's... Neversin. O(+>NIИ<+)O
“Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man's?” - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche | |
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hmmm. They are all in the movie Purple Rain. didn't you know? during the time's "The Bird" I believe.... look it up!
Neversin said: toejam said: Prince originally hired Tony M, Damon D and Kirky J as backup dancers in 1988. They were first featured in the Glam Slam video
1987, one of the Madhouse video's... Neversin. My art book: http://www.lulu.com/spotl...ecomicskid
VIDEO WORK: http://sharadkantpatel.com MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/ufoclub1977 | |
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Tony M. was'nt the Best Rapper but he was'n the worst either. I'd rather listen 2him than Vanilla Ice or Ricco Suave. remember those 2 1hit wonders? I think that a lot of P fans just was'nt ready 4him 2 add hiphop in2 his repatoire as much as he did! But some of that shit sho was Phonkey! U,ME,WE!....2FUNKY! | |
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ufoclub said: hmmm. They are all in the movie Purple Rain. didn't you know? during the time's "The Bird" I believe.... look it up!
I know, I'm just saying that they weren't first featured in the "Glam Slam" vid... Neversin. O(+>NIИ<+)O
“Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man's?” - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche | |
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