" I want to see Prince on the charts again. The record company doesn't know how to market Prince". "Prince has "lost it" he's not on the chart anymore" "OH No, he's an independent artist now, he'll never have another huge hit album". I've been seeing these remarks on this board a lot. And I find them somewhat problematic.

Prince is regarded in high circles by his peers and the elite in the music industry as a artist of strong artistic merit. He is respected by musicians like Robert Plant, Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, B.B King, Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton. Now respect from your peers within your field means alot as some of those musicians I've just mention influenced Prince a lot. But that's not it...

Prince stils holds the record(I'll go back and recheck my resources)for the most consecutive years in a row having at least one top 10 single on the pop charts. That's right. From 1983 until 1994, Prince had at least 1 top 10 song on the charts(that's an amazing feat). He has had 5 number #1 singles. So tell me, what does an avant garde artist such as Prince has to be ashamed of from a commercial standpoint, when he has these accomplishments plus millions of record sold? Also, PURPLE RAIN spent 24 weeks at number #1 on the album charts.

People want LIL MAN to have the kind of chart success that Brittany Spears, Nelly and Ashanti are having now when he has already been where they are now. These artists don't even have a teaspoon of the genius that LIL MAN possess.

Also to the orgers and anybody else complaining about Prince not being on the charts anymore...you have to remember this...these young artists are trying to build a legacy...LIL MAN already have his cemented!!! Plus it's worth mentioning...that Prince's last big single was in 1994. So it's only been 8 years. Who knows what may happen? If anybody can come back and have a big hit single album and single again,,,it's Prince. He's talented enough and resilent enough to land another huge hit(commercially successful that is)album.

Blue Prince said in his Anita Baker thread that artists that should be getting noteworthy attention are not, and it's sad, but that is the musicial climate we are in now. But what that tells me is that we need to place a value on artists of strong artistic merit. We need to make sure that we are supporting artists that are still putting out good work(also support new artists that are in this category). We need to reverence artists that still have something of value to say through their work. The music world is messed up now. You know it's bad when major newspaper publications like USA TODAY is running articles on how bad the music industry. Consumers are complaining about shelling out $20 dollars for a CD with two good songs and a lot of filler.

In closing, I'd like to say that so what if the masses are not into Prince anymore, so what if he's not on top of Billboard's pop single chart with a purple bullet. It's not even relevant. Prince has been there and has done that. He's had the appetizer, the dinner,the dessert...the whole doggone nine. So for those that still want him back on the charts, take a CHILL PILL, if you WILL...you'll be alright

Peace,
Brother 9/15

a-friggin-men!!!

You said it my friend. I hate all the music that is top 10 and selling right now. OK, hate might be too strong of a word, but it does nothing for me. Give me Prince anyday, even if most people think his last record was purple rain. No one should care how popular he is. Look at Eminem, people hate him and say they hate his music, but it's selling more that anyone else's. What does this really mean?? Britney, nsync, Shakira, I could go on and on. They all suck so bad it's sickening. I don't care if Prince ever has another hit again as long as he keeps putting out music for his true fans to enjoy. Those who still hate TRC, keep listening. It's a beautiful piece of music.

personally agree and have felt the same for sometime... if not forever.

Beautiful Day!

i agree with everything that you said, the only thing that gets to me is when i read reviews of his last album and the reviewers say that although the music is good "people in general do not care about a new prince album" i find that hard to take because a new prince album should matter in the music world because he is just too damn talented not to matter.

blackboab said:

just because they say it it doesn't make it a universal law! They can say that all they want! It is merely their opinion nothing more nothing less. Obviously it isn't true or we wouldn't have threads about TRC or ONA here because we wouldn't care. They are talking out of their so why even pay them any attention. Let's just keep proving them wrong and as this thread implies keep supporting Prince in our own way without worrying about what others think of him or how highly he charts.

Be thankfull ya'll!

Since you all fine ppl listen to high level of art, there's ALSO ppl(Or CRITICS ) who compare Janet's 'CONTROL' to Britney's 'Britney', not that its important BUT if today's ppl taste about music is going downhill then I SHO don't want Prince's name to be mentioned AT ALL.

We're FINE thank you much!

Yeah you all may agree with the above but you'd all still piss your pants if ONA(live) was released generally, hit NO.1 and stayed there till the turn of the year!!

I just want him to have longevity. I do think that chart success is relevant, especially to an artist. To stand the test of time

If it is just to show people that you can move away from 'Like a Virgin' and release 'Ray of Light' to critical and public praise. Get nominated for album of the year, have a successful tour and actually sellout the large venues in 2002.

It is good to see Areosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, not get caught up in their own politics. Is Madonna worried about her masters? Hell PAY me fo my masters.

Even seeing Cher on Wednesday night, she said that their was a lot of young girls up and coming, and she 'wanted to show them how it needed to be done.'

I would like to see him put out a successful, cd and single that critics and fans alike can say, 'thats why are still fans'. I know he can still do it, but not with a Rainbow Children release or a live cd.

He HAS been there, done that, but will he ever do it again? I wish

Wanting him on the pop charts again is a bragging rights sort of thing. Nothing wrong with wanting one's favorite artist to have success, that's human nature. But take a look at who and what is currently occupying the charts, especially the pop charts. Why anyone would want Prince cavorting around with those performers at awards shows is beyond me.

The music business of the past several years is very different from the music business of Prince's commercial heyday. And behind the scenes things are changing. I can only hope they change for the better when it comes to support of artists with more merit. It's cyclical. We're in one of those downward cycles right now when it comes to what and who is popular. You have to seek out the music with substance. It's rarely going to be popular.

blackboab said:[quote]i agree with everything that you said, the only thing that gets to me is when i read reviews of his last album and the reviewers say that although the music is good "people in general do not care about a new prince album"


Their loss.

Supernova said:[quote]Wanting him on the pop charts again is a bragging rights sort of thing. Nothing wrong with wanting one's favorite artist to have success, that's human nature. But take a look at who and what is currently occupying the charts, especially the pop charts. Why anyone would want Prince cavorting around with those performers at awards shows is beyond me.

although that might be true, but unlike them he's the one with the longer career and more talent. most of their fans come from imaging and personality, not the material.and the pop charts keep recycling. prince can great great diversity that can sound original, and Amazing.

if ppl. from the 1960s, 1970s, etc. can come back and be on the charts, sell tons, get acclaim from the new comers and from the critics. prince should be able to do the same or do better.
a survivor is someone who can survive no matter what.
prince might be a great legend but he isn't getting much from that.
i agree completly with jthad1129.

subyduby said:

And your point would be?

jthad1129 said:

he is still around, he was one of the first if not the first, people to start selling albums and take the lion's share of the profits via internet, he is still touring and making music that does more for the soul than the libido if that isn't evolution and longevity I don't know what is.

Another thing I want to point out to the people who are ignorant to this is... Prince sells most of his product from the internet!!! Thus, how much he sells isn't probably even accountable to soundscan or whatever like most of the other artists who are basically sold at you Walmart or Target. Another thing, radio is meant as a form of promotion and if Prince can promote on the internet at his own site why would he need radio? Don't get me wrong it would be nice to hear him more frequently if radio is your cup of tea, but to me it isn't necessary. See the problem is some of you are thinking Prince is outta touch! Neva dat! The reality of the situation is ,he is way ahead of the game!
[This message was edited Fri Sep 6 16:46:26 PDT 2002 by adorable2]
[This message was edited Fri Sep 6 16:47:07 PDT 2002 by adorable2]

Eye seriously agree with that man...
He's done practically everythin a great artist has done in his career...and eye think he should take his foot off the pedestal and chill...just be happy that he is still makin music...the rainbow children...one nite alone...xenophobia...the live tours...and eye think he's really happy at where he is right now...eye know the majority of Prince fans are a lil' turned off by his religious context but that's if thats the path he chooses 2 take, who r we 2 stop him...music is not just a no.1 hit...a no.1 album...mtv...its more than that...
and thats somethin no one can take away from him...the music...after all didnt he say..."If music wasn't in my blood,I would die"?
Sure in conversation...Prince is outta place when everyone else is talkin about Em,Britney and N Sync...but if it wasnt 4 him...none of these ppl would be walkin the face of pop stardom 2day.

Ecnirp84

I think that the Respect is there for Prince no Doubt.but do you think Bill Gates doesn't want past Glory? I Mean if you have been to the Top you want it again&again.Elton John has the Record for the Most Years at top Ten last I Heard.any Artist that is worth there Salt wants to Keep Shaking it for as long as they can.take Michael Jordan: you think He only came back to Run&Pose? Hell NAW! Jordan Came Back because the East is Wack&He was on a Wack Team&Almost made the Playoffs.now aside from the Lakers&the Kings had Moments you basically have Really Good Players&Suspect Teams.you think Jordan didn't watch it fully? anybody who thinks Somebody who has had the Impact of a Prince or a Michael Jackson, or a Muhammad Ali,etc...isn't trying to Win is Kidding themselves IMHO.there are things you know you might not be able to do but you aren't gonna stop trying.Magic Johnson didn't come back unless He wanted to Win.Magic is Winning even More in Real Life than Maybe on the Court&He was a Big Time Winner there.so no matter what the Faces are if you think you got Game you are gonna keep Battling.Miles Davis wasn't scared to hang&roll with the Latest things going down.

Prince seems (or did, until about a year ago) more concerned about not being on the charts than any of us do. Exactly who's been saying that around here (or anywhere) anyway?

Aaron said:

oh, hell. i've gone and actually posted something about Prince. in the Prince Music forum, no less. i knew i shouldn't have come in here.