As a real 'fan' knows Prince often screams in his songs, especially in the eighties: Darling Nikki, The Beautifull Ones, The Ladder and Temptation are just a few of these examples. But also in the nineties he sometimes screams out, think of songs like Endorphimachine and recently, The Dance on 3121.

His shorter 'screams' seems to be influenced by James Brown and other 'funksters', but when it comes to his longer screams i cant think of an artist who has done that before. Or maybe i am overlooking certain artists.

What do you think: are those 'trademark' screams his own 'invention' or are they influenced by other artists?

I don't think his screams are from any other artist. Whenever I hear someone scream in a song...I think of Prince

Little Richard, that's where it's coming from.

RealMusician said:

The first person I thought of, too.

His own invention,of course!

Everyone has influences but prince has his own style of scream lol

Chinese monks' castration screams!

That screaming sound at the begining of 'Gett Off', I made that sound when I stepped barefoot on a bee 1ce...

I think he might have began copying off some other entertainers, but it must have gotten good to him because nobody can scream like Prince. I love that scream in 'Now" that's totally him.

RealMusician said:

Yup, Little Richard is a huge influence, often forgotten about, probably because he sometimes rubs people wrong. He influenced the course of Rock music, soul music and funk. And in my opinion, no one ever equalled that voice or even really came close.

christos7 said:

that was the great Rosie Gaines.

its not rosie,its prince,listen again please

Listening to it is why I thought it was Prince in the first place, I read on Rosie's myspace that it was her scream. I believe her.

Those "screams" from those eighties songs that you mentioned are influenced by sly and the family stone. Check out Sly and the Family Stone's album entitled, "Stand!"

theres a scream on GOD.. there's another song like The dance on B-sides... just wondering who else thinks that prince did a SoUTHPARK character on Scarlet Pussy?

mozfonky said:

Well then Rosie sure sounds like Prince there...

Little Richard seems an obvious influence there -- as well as church. Preachers and gospel singers have taken the "squall" to a level of artistry.

WilburWiffenpoof said:

wlcm2thdwn said:

Yes!