Why is this in the PM&M forum? Overall, because it keeps getting mentioned that Prince is no longer relevant musically.

I ask this specifically in relationship to Prince, but also in general.

Random thoughts here, so please bear with me.

Is rock n roll only for the young?

Why do some of you think Prince isn't relevant now?

What musicians/artists that are in their 40's or older are relevant?

If you don't feel Prince is relevant now, what would he need to do to become relevant again? IYHO naturally.

Just wondering.

What makes a musician/artist relevant is being a voice for the people, not for themself.

Every artistic project only catches on because of the popularity of a group of people that feel a personal tie to the expression itself.

This is the Fact of the way things are and the way things will always be.

Prince has gotten too tied up in Princeville, Prince Island, and the state of Prince to be relevant, because of his detachment from everyone else.

to sing about things that everyone can relate to rather than what is revolving in your own personal universe. P achieves it every now and again i.e. SOTT, NC2U, Manic Monday , TMBGITW amongst others.

MickG said:

If you're not true to self, are you truly relevant?
Perhaps we should first answer: Relevant to who?

Anyone can recreate a formula that will be commercially relevant.
Honesty and relevance to self should always come first.

anon said:

Yes and No.

I think it's partially when you're a leader. Prince is still relevant as a huge star & talented musician, but not as much as he was.

Someone said of him that for a few years he was channeling the music, meaning that the mainstream was flowing through him. Now he does his own thing and some people listen, but his only relevance in mainstream music is the 80's sound that folks like Justin are copying.

MickG said:

That's the easy answer and the easy way out of answering.
You must be true to self to create work that is genuine.
Who that "self" is, is another thread.

Stuff like this is relevant entertainment today. It's not a bad thing to not be relevant to the mass.

I started this thread then couldn't get back to it. Now I can't spend any time on it until later today.

Thank you to those that have responded thus far.

Relevant to who(m?) is a big factor I think.

Relevant: Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand.

Something relevant is connected with a subject or issue.

It is my opinion that Prince's body of work is definitely relevant in the music world. Prince has written songs,pushing boundaries way beyond what people were ready for. He's been an innovator,and often copied by never reproduced. He's on his own musical journey as rightly so, and he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. Why look back when you can look ahead and that's what he always does.

It really sucks when people want you to be who or something you are not. His music changes constantly and that's what is relevant. He does address his concerns of the world in his music,however lately it's been released mostly online. So mainstream American doesn't hear it and if they did would they get it like so many of his fans do?
[Edited 1/8/07 9:00am]

You gotta pay attention to the world around you to be relevant. Know what's goin' on, be aware of modern society's anxieties and hopes, and be dialed in to the mood of the times.

Prince was right there in the center of all that from around '80-'84. He broke down sexual, racial, and musical barriers with a bouncy, upbeat, but fierce sound and anarchic/utopian message, which was perfect for the 80s, when Americans yearned for make believe and hopefulness after the gritty nihilism of the post-Nixon 70s. Prince music, like John Hughes movies, was a sort of glorification of the coming of age adolescent, not quite innocent, not quite jaded, a 'tweener of Romanticism.

After he blew up with Purple Rain, Prince took his finger off the pulse of society. He went off to expand his musical legacy without paying much mind to the modern scene. He didn't anticipate the cultural resurgence of angst and rage, embodied by hip hop and grunge. Actually, you could argue that The Black Album captured this transition into brooding realism with its bling and race conscious lyrics, but we all know what happened to that record.

While the Seattle Sound and gangsta rap were addressing the cultural mood, Prince was busy working out his own psychological and professional issues. His records became like Woody Allen movies, neurotic puzzles only diehards could appreciate.

Prince's output from the early 80s will remain the bedrock of his legacy. That's when he was using his genius in complete service of the communal spirit.

One good first step is not being Prince.

What makes a musician/artist relevant?? Being superb at what u do(Like Prince),and having the ability 2 stay in the game 4 many years(Like Prince)!!!

Relevant to who or what?

glt said:

Now, the current climate and to music lovers.
I suppose traditionally Rock & Roll (although I imagine that as a genre) has always been the domain of the young because its meant to be anrachic and anti-establishment. Not that this means its off limits to older listeners, but certain aspects appeal more to the young maybe. Anyway, I think Prince is relevant because of his influence.

padawan said:

Don't know if I agree with that, but it made me laugh!

In my opinion, what makes an artist relevant is his or her ability to make music that can be related to by not just only their own generation, but future generations. For instance songs like "Sign O The Time" by Prince or "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye are still relevant 20-30 years later. An artist's ability to reach others through their music makes them relevant

LleeLlee said:

ok,
Thanks

nurse said:

I love SOTT. I agree, I think the lyrics are still relevant today.

The amount of times their coochie pics gets downloaded off the net.

Being in-tune with the season.

anon said:

lol bloody hell... what a prat

Is rock n roll only for the young?
I'm not sure if you are meaning the fanbase or the artist. I think because the majority of young people go through fads of thinking 'they're good looking, therefore I like their music' the majority of music seems to have skimpy vids and general things to appeal to teenagers. Also for the most part alot of teenagers don't really have their own opinion more follow the latest trend, if its trendy to be into Hip Hop, R & B or Rock guaranteed for the majority they will jump at it without a seconds thought. Luckily I didn't have too much of that personally due most probably to seeing my elder brothers and sister work their way out of phases. Also similiar ages to them would feel more suitable alot of kids when I was at school commented and I quote: "Prince, who the f*** is Prince..." afew ques from me shoved in, "... why the f*** do you like him his old."

Why do some of you think Prince isn't relevant now?
Once again I think the age thing does pose abit of a problem, and his reclusive nature hides him from the press and therefore the kids, who seem to be the main market for buying singles. I agree with some peoples comments on people being able to relate to the artist, the new fanbase he needs to be 'relevant' aren't goin' to relate to someone that is rarely seen in the media because they won't know anything about him.

What musicians/artists that are in their 40's or older are relevant?
I suppose to an extent Madonna, though I think this is widely upped by her gay fanbase, in the same breath though she is not relevant. She changes her appearance and music regularly to appeal to whatever is most popular at the time, whilst still keeping some of her style. She is media friendly which works in her favour, but I think she has in essence lost whatever she had due to changing so much, and peoples opinion of what a 40-odd-year old woman should be doing which for most people, of all ages is not dancing around in lycra also works against her.


If you don't feel Prince is relevant now, what would he need to do to become relevant again?
If to be relevant he must change himself dramatically I don't think its going to be worth it, if he commercialises himself too much he will probably lose alot of original fans whilst collecting new ones that may only like him for five minutes. I think all he needs is good publicity and a great track, the only two songs released in my opinion with the potential for that of the past few years were Musicology and Black Sweat, but he needs the media support with it otherwise the songs fade away.

JANEYPOOS!!!



Good to see you sweetie!! Hope life is good for you!


Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!

Nothinbutjoy said:

For you my dear anything

I'm ok hope you're doing fine too