OK

First let me say that I've been enjoying the reports of the wonderful workshops, discussions and performances. When I heard the Cornel West and Tavis Smiley were there, I almost regretted my decision to boycott.
Not hearing Don't Play Me and Elephants & Flowers live hurts.

Unfortunately, I'm also hearing of an ugly underside of Xenophobia.
Now I know that those uber RCs are going to have a field day with this, and that is fine yet it will only illustrate their lack of dealing with reality.

I've heard from a few attendees that Prince actually HIT Takumi at a show last week! With all the praises being sung by the likes of Cornel West, Tavis Smiley and Sheila E. whom I'm sure are intelligent and or spiritual people, I find this behavior from Prince appalling and unacceptable.

I also wonder with all the reporting that's been done it wasn't mentioned.

After Prince's embrace of the New World Translation, how does he justify VIOLENCE against someone in his employ??? Is this part of the JW agenda? Dare I ask if the was an isolated incident? How many other Paisley Park employees are denied their BASIC HUMAN RIGHT of not fearing an attack from their boss? Since the War on Terrorism started, isn't that type of behavior a felony? Prince, SHAME ON YOU!

No wonder the Love4oneanother room was painted. Prince is channeling Idi Amin rather than Ghandi, seems like.

I can feel it, those that think this thread is just sour grapes cuz I wasn't there or a bid for attention. This goes way beyond that. 1. Takumi is a nice guy 2. Prince preaches a lot of WWJD kind of stuff. I'm sure Jesus would NOT slap the head of someone that worked for him. Of that I am sure, and I'm not a Christian.

This is unquestionable proof that the high esteem with which I once looked at Prince was unwarranted. I am ashamed that I ever recruited for this man. He obviously does not believe a single word of the crap he's been spewing!

I am actually ashamed of Prince, DAYUM I wish he would stop dropping **in my estimation**, pretty soon he'll be lookin up for Hell.

A word to the flamers on this one: Let's try to stay on the topic shall we?? Say what yall will about me, but, with all the Oakland Flava I can muster...I'm jus' sayin!...

~Adore

Where are you getting your information?

abucah said:

How is that relevant to it being true? Guess you didn't read the stay on topic proviso, huh?

~Adore
[This message was edited Tue Jul 2 15:32:43 PDT 2002 by adorepfunk]

I didn't question whether or not it was true, I questioned the source of the information.

adorepfunk said:

Are you going to answer my question? Or are you going to keep responding to my question with a question?

You "heard" this. Dont you have more details?

It is truly appalling that Prince would behave this way, sad but true. Shame on you is all I have to say to him.

Zthe9s said:

I also heard his happened from a handfull of people in the front row that night. It's upsetting to say the least.

well i wasnt in the front the night it is claimed to have happened.
i never saw it.

i know he has always joked with him, and during ther hamilton soundcheck he mimed shoving him offstage behind his back. but laughed about it with us.

i highly highly doubt he would do this...not because i am a devout "RC" and i dont kiss Princes ass, but i think ANY entertainer hell, any person,would have the common sense to not hit someone in public!

even if he was an angry MF with a temper, he'd hide it well.

i'd like to hear from a few ppl who were there.

Bob

Here's the quote from gettwild's commentary in the celebration 2002 section:

http://www.prince.org/msg...&tid=17483

"Though I didn’t notice, Prince was noticeably frustrated with the sound on a couple of occasions and even hit his guitar tech Takumi in the head once to complain about it."


But I don't beleive it.
[This message was edited Wed Jul 3 14:47:30 PDT 2002 by allthatglitters]

There's not enough information here to form an opinion. For all anybody knows, Prince and Takumi could just been horsing around.

What is it that is supposed to have happened? A slap, a punch, a shove? In what context did this incident occur? Prince and Takumi work closely together and maybe they have a private and particular way that they interact with each other.

I *heard* about it but didn't witness it myself... and none of the people I heard it from had witnessed it themselves either, so it's a rumor until I talk to at least two people who don't know each other who witnessed it themselves.

That being said, *IF* it is true...

There is never a justification for physical violence. That being said, I doubt any of us

1. Know the context of the situation where this allegedly happened (i.e., what the cause of this was, if there was one)

OR

2. Know the context of Takumi's and Prince's working relationship (was this in jest? an inside joke? is this how they play around? usually interact?)

And until we have all these facts (including corroborating witnesses--which would unlikely know #'s 1 & 2), we should refrain from passing judgment.
[This message was edited Tue Jul 2 16:01:47 PDT 2002 by NuPwrSoul]

Jeez, I'd be shitting my pants if Prince hit me. The brute!

What's he going to do? Bite Takumi's nut sack?

They must be quaking in their boots around PP with Prince throwing his wait around...lol.

I was there for a few of the discussions, a few of the shows...and i didn't see or hear of this happening.

Doesn't mean it's not true, but highly suspect...as the friends of mine who attended almost every workshop and concert would have shared this info with me without hesitation.

When Abucah asked who or where you heard this, he/she was trying to verify the source of your info:
...Was it someone who has a history of stirring up needless controversy or someone with credibility?
Regardless, it's fair to say such an accusation deserves to be 'investigated' or 'questioned' for validity.

You shouldn't get defensive about something you say only a handful of people witnessed, when there were close to 200 or more people at Paisley Park at any given time during the week-- whom havent reported this-- that which you imply is true without evidence to the contrary.

Doesn't sound like you were there either, so already you are sharing 2nd or 3rd source information.

Before you go accusing Prince of this without first hand proof(which by the way is slander), check your source, check with Takumi if you must, but don't "Shame" anyone until you have concrete evidence.

well, id just like to extend my hand to adorepfunk...even though i only know you by mutual friends you are always gratious and kind with me..(unlike other people around here who seem to think *they* are the star attraction at concerts and not prince)...

and i know for a *fact* that you know *people* within PP. Come to think of it, I know you have passed on some *truths* about various situations that werent made public till years...so I trust the claims you make...



is it sad? yes!! am i surpised? no...Prince is human...one who seems to carry around a whole lotta negative energy...i was pondering this the other day when I saw a report that Micheal Jackson and Stevie Wonder recieved Lifetime Achievement Awards for songwritting...I personally feel that Prince has alienated soo many people within the music community and within the general public that he *wont* recieve recognition for his accomplishments...the negative seems to outway the positive with him...for a man who preaches about love, positivity and faith within his music, he seems so divided and frustrated with reality that it overshadows his own messages...

its truly sad!!
[This message was edited Tue Jul 2 16:17:21 PDT 2002 by SkletonKee]

adorepfunk said:

You heard something, and then it's unquestionable proof?

Please...you're unquestionably an idiot.

adorepfunk said:

It is highly relevant because the truth is relevant. Your "source" may have an axe to grind. They may be someone interested only in idle gossip, not truth or facts. I make my living as a journalist and writer. Rule #1 is never make anything public and portray it as fact until you've confirmed it with at least three independent sources. You should try doing the same. It dismays me that you've assumed a rumor is true and you've portrayed it as true without being there yourself or having the courage to identify your "source." What does your source have to hide? I attended every single Xenophobia concert (except Friday's opener) and was front and center each time. Takumi was in my sight much of that time, said hello often, joked around with Prince and always seemed to be in a light-hearted mood. It was obvious the two have a strong, respectful, and sometimes playful relationship. I'm sure they goof around and horseplay like most men do. It's obvious Prince also has great respect for Takumi. You think the man would trust his guitars to just anybody? Not once did I see anything that remotely smacked of violence. Grow up people. And before you start with the "devout RC" namecalling, keep in mind how easy it was for you to get on this web site and make accusations without proof. Ask yourself how nice it would be to turn that kind of spotlight on yourself.

I personally don't believe it , not in
the sense of intended abuse. I often hit
my friends when we are playing and they
do the same.
Takumi would have to almost BOW DOWN for Prince
to reach his head.

On the subject of rumors and malicious
gossip; when I returned from celebration,
my best friend informed me that the word
was out that I had LEFT my husband as in
broken marriage. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. Literally, yes I left him
to go to celebration, with his permission.

Those who choose to believe that rumor about
me having marital problems will
always believe it. They will now say that
we reconciled.

The repeating of unfounded rumors constitutes
slander, which is punishable in a court of law.
The fact that the fans (even those who heard it)
declined to inflate the story says an awful lot
of good about them.

As for me, all I saw was a smiling Prince.
And as NuPwrSoul said, one needs to witness
something to testify about it.

-

I also heard about this. I have every reason to believe it's true. My understanding was that it was a tap and the only way to get his attention. Still unacceptable.

This year was different than last year. This year was about us and his guests, it had very little to do with Prince aside from his music. He was not present like last year. It was truly wonderful based on his fams and fellow artists.

There are other things that I heard about Prince that make me very sad, and I will NOT post them here so don't ask. You have to decide if your in it for the long haul... through thick and thin. If ever given the chance to tell him how I feel in person I will. He should have a chance to talk for himself. Other than that, he treats us like family, so I return this by standing by him through the good and the bad. And when the time comes I will push a little tough love on him like I would a family member.

Celebration is a lot more than just Prince

RavedIn2 said:

Yall,

Had this been the way they nornally interact/play I would not have found it worth mentioning.

Also, I state more than once in my post that I wasn't there. I don't know what detail you could possibly want me to give.

I find it puzzling that some fans have no problem believing the tripe that Prince oozes but if there's a possibility that Prince could have done something mean/horrible/wrong it's 'well since I didn't see it's just a rumor'. Does anyone think Prince will admit to such ill behavior?

I mean it's not like Prince is gonna apologize to Takumi in the Members section of the NPGMC site. Or worse, as if T would post that it's true here on the Org.

If I gave the name of one of the several people that could have told me, would that suffice? I think a better question is, what difference would it make? It would either be an attending fan that you all may or may not know or someone that works/knows someone that works at PP.

Let's take a look at that. If I said it was my friend Morgan and he saw it happen, would you believe him? I doubt it.

If it was a PP affiliate, don't you think the Prince Police would make that person disappear? or at least their job???

So in order to appease those that need it, this is what would have to happen, either: someone would most likely get in trouble or a relationship I have would be damaged. But you know what the kicker is? Most of you would still say it's a rumor. LMAO

Unfortunately, this post is getting the exact response I feared it would...ah well, such is life.

Bottom line is it's not a rumor. Believe it or not.

It's good to know that the Purple Kool-Aid is still flowing freely here on the Org...and Prince has issues with this site? Huh.

~Adore

Adore that's all well and good but the REAL bottom line is what business is it of yours, mine, or anyone else other than Takumi and Prince.

No one is captive in a relationship. If Takumi took offense to what Prince allegedly did to him, then it is up to Takumi to do what is best for Takumi. If Takumi did NOT take offense to what allegedly happened then it ends there, it seems to me.

SkletonKee said:

Oh man you said it all. There are some fans who really think they are all that and a bag of chips. The ones who always have to be in front. The ones who always dance wildly and act like fools. Getting all wild and jumping around so Prince will notice them. There are some idiots who have to try to get on stage at every Prince show they go to. How annoying are these stage hogs?

Adore,
What is your point and motive?
Are we all to get up in arms now
vigilante style against Prince?

Are we to share your views, and jump
to the same conclusions you have?...
which would require quite a leap,
since you went all the way to Amin, and
terrorism?

"As one grabbing hold to the ears of
a dog is anyone passing by that is
becoming furious at the quarrel that is
not his." Proverbs 26:17

Don't you have some things going on
in your own life you could be working
on? Because eventually, you have to let
the dog's ears go... it will then turn
on you.
-

I don't see what the problem is. Takumi is still at Paisley, correct? Apparently he doesn't have a problem with the way Prince communicates with his employees.

SensualMelody said:

Well said SensualMelody. Gossip is bad-- no matter how you portray it. Adore, a rumor is nothing more than second(third, etc.)-hand information that you don't know for a fact to be true. Don't say that what you're repeating isn't a rumor. It is and there's no way you can prove it. I'm sure you believe your source. But let's face it, sometimes your own mama tells ya stuff and you shouldn't take it at face value. Unless you were there, which you yourself admit you weren't, don't state this as fact. I don't know Prince personally. I'm not sticking up for him (so don't bother with the Purple Kool-Aid stuff. That's so high school.) I'm sticking up against rumor mongering and slandering someone. That's just wrong. You seem like an otherwise intelligent person. Why waste time on something like this. Obviously it didn't bother Takumi too much. He looked pretty darned happy during Xenophobia to me. Life goes on.

I heard more story s that prince does not always treat his employ with respect. Where smoke is there is fire.

Janeau said:

And I have heard a lot of stories where Prince does treat his employees with respect and humor within a family-like atmosphere. Water for the fire?

Stevie & MJ both have dark sides to their personalities,but their PR & record companies keep it from getting public.

Prince has done as much if not more for charity than many other "stars" but is is hyped like MJ ?

I'D HATE 2 BE PRINCE RIGHT NOW!!!

He's just put the show of his life for a whole damn week...let all his fams in2 his own HOUSE and given his all - and what does every1 talk about?

Any1 with a OUNCE of commen sense would know that Prince would not hit any1 in his own staff..and if he 'hit' Takumi it was in a humourous jest...c'mon, the guy is 5"2 for pete's sake!

It amuses me how caught people can get up in the little insignificant things...

NuPwrSoul said:

Thank You! NuPwrSoul speaks the truth. Here you go my brother, let me hand you another bucket!