As a musiclover, i love Prince in the first place for his mastery of different musical styles, his original, often brilliant ideas, the fact that he can create experimental music that is still catchy.

One thing i care less for is 'the' Prince who is seen as someone eccentrily dressed singer, the 'queer' artist, the half man / half woman kind of person.

As much as i appreciate him as a musician, i think the way he is presenting himselve is not only overshadowing the things he achieved as a songwriter, singer, musician and producer, but it also leads to people not taking him serious as a musician IMO.

When i saw his performance of 'lolita' on American Idol, i felt quite irritated to be honest, i mean: there is a great musician, a genious, which has created one the best records of all time (Sign of the Times) wearing thick make up and performing a 'childrens' song with two superficial bombshells.
To be honest, thats NOT what i am looking for in a musician formely known as a genious. And i have the idea many people feel the same, as the poor sales numbers of 3121 show.

Whats wrong ultimately, is that i really think Prince is affraid of showing his age, his maturity trough his music and his performances. He is running away from the person he is or should be at this moment, by wearing thick make up and still caring for chart succes with 'the youngsters'. By that he is not only fooling his public, but most of all, himselve.
This musician once labelled as a genious is seemingly affraid to act his own age, is affraid of letting all the superficiality (thick make up, campy suits, halvenaked 'twins') go, is affraid of letting his music speak for himselve.

Thats a harsh thing to see, and i hope that he sees in that contuining this way will lead up to people perceiving him as another 'has been': a James Brown or Tom Jones, repeating tricks in search for the money,

Whether he wears make-up and stuff or not, he's still a serious artist. Besides that's what makes him Prince, goddammit. And I think now the whole image thing has become secondary anyway. I think he is now primarily known as a respected artist and musician. Anyone who judges Prince on the way he looks and stuff would be too ignorant to know that anyways.

so, why wear make-up at age 48, 49? when you have guts, and youre a man, you show your age...

Another thing is that it seems like you want Prince to act "normal", whatever that means, and stop being himself. The essential quality of what makes Prince Prince is that he's never been "normal" and he's always tried to do, act and look the way he wants to. For some that's good, and for others that's bad. But that's jus the way he is. And I doubt that he'll want to try and change who he is because some people ask him to.

Riverpoet31 said:

It's his perogative if he wants to wear make-up. I am (as well as many other fans, I'm sure) more concerned with his direction as an artist and musician.

He's a rockstar - they're supposed to grow old disgracefully - that's the point.

I only wish he wore MORE make up and MORE women's blouses like he used to.

i think people should learn the difference between image and sound.

Riverpoet31 said:

whooooo--SHUT UUUUUP!!!!

Name a better musician who's sexier than Prince.....didn't think u could!! I think mayb u should find another artist 2 listen 2!Personally, I wouldn't want him any other way!

I don't want him to change, but that's inevitable. He's already changed, and the makeup won't sit as well on his old skin soon. His heels can't be good for his old joints; I think he's suffering already, but he doesn't want to change.

Wear the clothes till you die, though! Why not?

Y'all go pick on Mick Jagger,Steven Tyler, or Rod Stewart and leave Prince alone,PLEASE!1

sexxydancer said:

Dear sexxydancer,

I'm okay, you ain't gotta stick up for me or anything. I'm grown.


kthxyou'rekinnacreepingmeoutalittle,
Prince


P.S. Was that you who rang my doorbell like 10 times at 5 o'clock this morning and ran off?

sexxydancer said:

Those guys aren't usually in heels & pancake makeup.

Really, what difference does it make? How many artists (with or without make-up) can show in their history a "Hall of Fame" award? This at least says that compared to most he is indeed an accomplished musician -- though I would say so whether or not he acheived this important distinction. Every artist has their style, quirks, individuality, or whatever you want to call it, etc. Every artist also has their critics. But, in my opinion, if he wasn't taken all that seriously he would have nothing really to show for all his hard work. Just look at how the man is still going strong after more than 20 years!! This in itself has got to say something! :hmm

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I love u, Prince!!!

1FRO said:

Kind of true. And I don't think public perception of him will change for him at this point. But I do think heels are damaging & makeup doesn't looks as good the older you get.

Even if Prince were to dress more normally (which, I don't know what you mean by that, because "rock stars" have never dressed normally) and wear less make-up, people (place YOUR name here) will always find FAULT with his music. He sings too high, why is that guitar solo so long? short? etc.

Or...

You can do what I've done...accept him for who he is. A great musician who's got the balls to rock the lace and makeup...and still get the honey's.

Who's the man?

NDRU said:

They're all ugly,old senior citizens,tho,but I never hear anybody ever say it!I'm finished with this now-don't wanna discuss anybody other than Prince,so if anyone has a reply,let me answer u now-whatever u think..is true!!

sexxydancer said:

let me just say: "They're all ugly old senior citizens!"

NDRU said:

something we finally agree on!

Revolution said

NDRU said:


True.

Leave the man alone please! he is who he is and that they say is that! b ur self baby!

I'm so used to the way Prince dresses now, for me it's just a non-issue.
You must be young.

The make-up and the color happy suits are part are his signature style. They're Princely essence. Mmmm, Mmmm.... I like them. And yes, he's serious about his music and he is quite talented.

Revolution said:

I completely agree with you and that's what I've been tryin to express to all the people that want to change him.... He is who he is!!!

Anyone who cares more about his image than his output should probably just mosey...


goofy shit

When Prince was with Mayte, he dressed more normally and soooo many people were complaining that he wasn't weird enough anymore.
Just proves that Prince can't win with some people. That's why I'm glad he's content to be himself.
Trying to please everyone ends up making you crazy.

I've never thought of Prince in relation to his age...that probably has alot to do with the way he presents himself which is so youthful and ageless...so no Prince please do whatever it is you want...YOUR the artist.

i'd be pretty concerned if he wore make-up and dressed like that when no one is looking..

i'm only mildly concerned that he's still doing it at near 50 in public

makes me wanna say c'mere sweetheart u dont need to try so hard its ok

and by the way...those 'honeys' arent 'honeys' at all

they're 'moneys'.