So I was in the restroom a few minutes ago thinking about this: Why are folks trying to look for another Prince or at least someone who can match his talents? I don't think there will ever be another Prince, or Hendrix, or Beatles. Only they were able to create their music the way they did.

It's like you got guys like Robin Thicke and Jamie Lidell who are often compared to Prince's soulful side. And then you have cats like Andre 3000 and Van Hunt who are often compared to the wild funk/Rock side of Prince. The point is they're not Prince and they should be judged and viewed as themselves and on their own merits.

I have this old clip of The Jam on Tom Snyder's show from back in '81. Tom asked them why critcs were comparing them to The Beatles. But he went on to ask why folks should stop looking for another Beatles or any group coming out of the UK to conquer America and take them as they are.

You know I often come on the org to check out the music forum to see what's popping. Sometimes I come across thread with new artists that are compared to Prince's glory days. 9 times out of 10 I'm usually disappointed to see that they may be inspired by my purple hero, and their music could even be awesome, but there's really no comparison.

It's like, I love Prince and my music is kinda inspired by his, but I'm not looking to be another Prince. I'd like to maybe have the same impact in the usic world as him, but I want to be seen as myself.

And who creates this standard of jurisdiction? Fans? Media? Both?

I think it's because he's reached icon status. People know that he won't be around forever, but they wish he would be. Having a "new Prince" would make that wish a little closer to reality. Little do they know, no one compares to Prince.

Well we know he won't be around forever, but let's just cherish him while he's stil here on this planet, rocking the fuck out!!!!

YEAH! !!!


I want to add that this happens with a lot of iconic artists, especially when they die young. I mean, look how everyone fell all over poor Julian Lennon, in hopes that his music would bring John "back from the dead" so to speak. It's a lot of pressure to put on someone. I don't think anyone should be dubbed the new Prince, because they would only disappoint. (That doesn't mean they wouldn't be great in their own right, just not as a Prince substitute.)
[Edited 2/22/07 15:07pm]

I think Andre 3000 is definitely the Prince of our generation

A more serious question is why have you got the Rio album cover as your avatar?

Actually I'm only kidding, it's a beautiful album cover and I'm surprised that the album itself never gets into any top 100 albums ever list whereas Madonna's Like a Prayer always does.

I just recently bought 7 and the Ragged Tiger which I thought was quite harshly criticised. The seventh stranger, union of the snake and new moon are all wonderful tracks. Didn't like that version of the reflex though. Then I got Notorious which I thought was brilliant but last week it happened to be the only cd in my car so I opted to listen to the radio instead. Overkill.

The boys have a new album in the works, Justin Timberlake is doing a track with them.

Jakeasaurus said:

Only on the surface. I like Andre 3000 but he doesnt have the abilty of prince at the top of his game. I dont need 'The new prince' - i want the person who can take it from where prince left it. I want the next level, not a rehash or copycat

Jakeasaurus said:

While I think he's cool,
he's still just a frog.

We're trying to relive all the glory minus Jughead and wedding feast!

If I was talking to someone and they said that so-and-so is going to be the next Prince, I'd say these three words

"How dare you!"

Seriously, this is almost as appalling to me as anything that makes fun of Prince.

I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as I have to. There never will be another Prince. The guy is one of a kind, a true artist/musician and is a precious treasure that can't be duplicated.

omnithanos said:

Probably my favorite Duran Duran album. I tend to like the more "experimental" stuff from an artist. I prefer SOTT over Purple Rain . . . I prefer Achtung Baby over Joshua tree, etc.

I think people are looking for another Prince to try to recapture his 1980's level of artistic and commercial success. He really had magic back then. I highly doubt anyone will transform music like ANYONE did before, let alone Prince.

Michael Jackson basically createdMTV; now MTV is a joke and hardly even PLAYS music videos! Hip hop and rap have taken a HORRIBLE turn, and pop music is based on looks rather than talent.

The industry has outgrown Prince, and he has outgrown them. Good thing there is still the touring aspect . . .

Jakeasaurus said:

why look, he's been here since 78

Jakeasaurus said:

The only similarities are in appearance, IMO. Andre 3000 is extremly talented, don't get me wrong. But he's nowhere near Prince in vocal range or instrumentation.

The way that Andre 3000/Outkast blends sounds together is COMPLETELY different than how Prince did . . . Prince took sounds from all genres and blended them into his own sound.

Outkast more or less sampled and lifted sounds.

omnithanos said:

Yes, and I am looking forward to that. I thought you were one of those that just didn't get the fact that I'm the ambassador of all things 80's/New Wave here on the org.

Andre is great, but like I said before, he should be judged on his own merits and for who he is. It was like when Prince came out back in the 70's as this musical prodigy. Everybody was saying he was going to be the next Stevie Wonder. But we all know Prince took it to a whole different direction in the years to come.

Jakeasaurus said:

LMAO. God help "our" generation.

Here's my philosophy:

"Prince: accept no sustitutions"

I won't compare him to anyone else or say that anyone else is the next Prince cuz there's nobody else like him.

I like good music and certainly appreciate an artist who allows Prince's music to influence them. I think that any artist worth their weight would want to be an individual and known for what they've brought to their craft not what they've borrowed or sampled. Look at the two Jennifer's of Dreamgirls same song two totally awesome renditions. No one can cover Prince as well as he covers himself. I think that's also why alot of artist don't even go there. Prince is so far ahead of his time, I don't think anyone in the music industry will ever catch up. Lucky for us, eh...

ejnbmore said:

Well said.

I'm all for anyone who's influenced by Prince (he's currently influencing my poetry), it just crosses a line with me when people believe someone could be "the next Prince", as if his actions and words could be duplicated by someone newer and younger.

They can look 4ever,but they'll never find 1.There's no 1 else like Prince!

There are certain things that change your entire view of the world. That blow you away. The Matrix movies. There may be wannabes, but there will never be another "Matrix."

There will never be another "Prince." I can't say there will not be someone who raises the bar even higher. Although that will have to be a giant leap. When or "if" that happens....it will be...hell, there's no word for it in my vocabulary.

He raised the bar so high, someone would have to be not of this world to surpass him.

noimageatall said:

And why is it so often that when sequels come out to movies they suck 99% of the time? It's rare to find good sequels/follow-ups or even remakes. There are exceptions, of course.
I see this especially when someone is more independent and "low budget" and they make a great film, then it becomes a hit, they get all this $$$$ and Hollywood gets it's hands on it, and you can see the shift, the change in the next movie and the 3rd movie, etc. etc.
Another thought: Prince doesn't need to try to recapture or return to what he accomplished before in the 80's. He's been there; he's done it and he's grown older and moved on to do other/new things. There never will be another Prince and Prince himself doesn't have to try to be or do what he's already done.
I want to live in the NOW and appreciate what he's doing today. I can appreciate the past but I can't live in it and live for it.

Not looking 4 another Prince... One is more than enough!

NWF said:

I think it's not just the lack of the next prince...we know he's is a true original and we're lucky he's around. The disturbing thing is where the next "big" thing and why has the music industry not produced the next big thing. By that I mean the 60s had the Beatles, Hendrix, the Stones, James Brown, the 70s had Led Z., Bowie, Clinton, Springsteen, the 80s had PE, Prince, U2- and with the advent of video Madonna and Jackson.
The 90s had...well Nirvana- didn't quite make it to that level...hmmm. And this decade has, well a lot of mediocrity. I mean there's been great stuff but no sustainable visionary. One has to wonder if the music industry has created an enivornment where artists cannot grow and prosper at the same time. If prince appeared on the scene today and his career followed the same path would he have been able to release dirty mind...probably not. Now it would be an internet release. Would he have a major studio backing him and believing in him after dropping an album that was not mainstream...Would he continue to grow into the artist that would change music with 1999, PR, SOTT? Maybe someone with Prince's originality, skill and determination could make it but I don't think the musical environment is conducive to developing artists anymore. Hopefully this will change. But everytime I've been excited about an artist they have failed to take that next big step- Beck, OutKast, etc.

mistermcgee said:

Kudos! I'm all for the here and now. I kinda feel sorry for the fans that are still wrapped up in "lovesexy" or SOTT. I revisit them from time to time, but what Prince has been doing in the last few years are just as exciting and memorable for me. I'm all for evolution. And watching Prince evolve is tremendously entertaining for me. I don't judge Prince or expect him to fulfill my expectations. I just want him to do him. that's enough for me.