Lyricly or musically... not simply sampling... the more subtle hints. Some of these hints are famous.

For instance;

Putting the word :*:JONI:*: on the back sleeve of Controversy.

Quoting James Brown's Mother Popcorn on Gett Off. "Like James Used to say..."

Quoting Joni Mitchell's Help Me on The Ballad Of DOrothy Parker.

Reproducing the bass line of Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady on Daddy Pop.

The funniest, to me, is in the movie Under The Cherry Moon. During Mary's party, the crowd is scanting "Like Planet Rock, we just don't stop", which is from George Clinton's Loopzilla.

I am sure there are plenty more. Hit me up.

Lyrics in the song "when eye lay my hands on u" :-

"...I will touch thee in the softest manner
Like Europa in the hands of Santana..."


Also, in the film UTCM notice the Miles Davis Album "You're Under Arrest" in the background of his room.

machinegun said:

Ooh, nice one! Forgot about that!

HamsterHuey said:

I did actually go out and buy the album after that

machinegun said:

I think alot of Prince fans did...

Sam Cooke is mentioned twice in Under the Cherry Moon

and the opening to Fascination sounds very Santana to me

Judas Smile: Erykah Badu, and brother Curtis (Mayfield?)
..and of course Musicology: one big tribute to his heroes.
And musically I think 'Paisley Park' is a tribute to the Sgt. Peppers era Beatles.
[Edited 10/13/06 5:00am]
[Edited 10/13/06 5:00am]

BT11 said:

That's name dropping, innit?

I thought of the more subtler hints, like the bassline of Daddy Pop. You'd not recognise it if you are not familiar with Rock Steady...

HamsterHuey said:

Great Post!

That would be nice, but I don't think it will ever happen, he's too into himself.

wlcm2thdwn said:

I am talking about things that already happened...

Impersonating Ray Charles, on at least two occasions:

1. The "Uh-huh" (Pepsi commercial) outtake. Stunningly precise!

2. The second verse of "Strange Relationship" on the Aladdin DVD. He imitates both the vocal style ("yes-ah"), and Brother Ray's upper body moves. Very subtle!

RealMusician said:

Hehehe, fun one. I do not think anyone knows if Uh-huh is a Prince composition or not. If it is, he recorded it especially for Ray Charles and in his style, I suppose.

And another, very subtle one:

The synth line on the chorus of "Days Of Wild" is actually the melody from Duke Ellington's "Caravan", somewhat modified.

RealMusician said:

THIS one I love. Cool. Never would have made the connection. Thanks!

And of course:
The 16th-note guitar break from "Kiss" is a nod to James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag"...