I have heard all sorts of rumors about P's racial background, but those are the most prevalent. I don't understand why it is all so muddled. Couldn't a journalist just interview someone in P's dad's family and his mom's family to find out the truth? On a side note, P looks nothing like his parents and he doesn't look like Tyka at all.

I think Prince looks like his father, especially as he's getting older. I don't think he's the spitting image of him but I definitely see similarities. I've only seen one picture of his mother but I can tell Prince got her eyes, as did Tyka.

I'm sorry, I don't see the family resemblance.

filmnoirdame said:

both of his parents were black

Both parents were Black however I do believe that his mother was from Louisana which means she could have had Creole bloodlines.

So where did the idea come about that Prince's mom was Creole and his dad half-Italian come from?

JuliePurplehead said:

I agree. He looks very much like his father, especially as he gets older, but he also has several features of his mother as well, particularly the eyes, as you noted. Anyone who can't see it isn't paying careful attention.

As for his genes, I doubt that his dad is half-Italian, but, hey, we're all mixed up so it's no telling! I can easily believe his mom might have been Creole.

filmnoirdame said:

Both of Prince's parents originated from Louisiana, each relocating independently to Minneapolis before meeting and marrying.

In his early years as a performer, Prince made inconsistent statements about his parents' racial background, including the claims to which you refer. They have persisted as ill-founded rumour, and crop up every now and again.

.
[Edited 7/27/08 0:16am]

I'm sure when you break down the gene's....Prince probably carries half of the ethnicity options within his makeup.

NewPowerSista said:

I totally agree that Prince is beginning to look more like his father(just look at pic on Emancipation cd). He most definitely has his mom's eyes.

This again?

Yes, THIS again. Get over it.

filmnoirdame said:

It was the ultimate "sellout" crossover statement to the media. Just like the portrayal in Purple Rain. I hope he is truly proud of his heritage and not demean it with bogus info.

He and both his parents are Kneegrows.

what the hell differnce does it make?????





...sometimes people really suck at life. check that.

Ya'll didn't know? Prince isn't black at all. His parents were black. But Prince somehow isn't. Prince just pretended to be black so he would come across "cooler". Andre and Morris, although Andre is the same complexion as P and Morris is naturally lighter than P is, both Andre and Morris are black. Funny how no one ever says Morris and Andre are "mixed. Or how no one "wishes" Andre and Morris were mixed. BUT Prince,...nah..he ISN'T black at all. . But I thought u all knew that?

blackguitaristz said:

I thought he was purple.

It's true, and I'm half Trojan and alien from planet welldamnit.

blackguitaristz said:

We better put that in the FAQ.

Race in America, what a complicated concept. Both Prince's parents are light skinned African-Americans. Which means that they could still have Italian and Creole ancestors. Why is this so hard to understand? I know Purple Rain simplified the equation for a mainstream audience, but the geneological picture of blacks in America have a very complex ancestry. Creole by definition, are black/French/Native American.

blackguitaristz said:

-----
Be scarcastic if you want to but, look at how racist the music industry was back in the 80's. P did not want to be stuck on the black charts so he tried to be vague about his racial background. If he did not do that he might have gone down the same road at

ZAPP, Cameo, or Rick James. All great bands and artist who had no chance in hell of expanding their audience due to the box that got put in by the music industry.

langebleu said:

Exactly...meaning both P's parents were (whispers)..."What did u say BGZ?" (coughs).."I can't hear u bgz, speak up a little louder?" "(shouts) "I said black, dammit, BLACK!" "Oh, well why didn't u just say so?" "Cuz I didn't want to hurt nobody!"

blackguitaristz said:

Prince's father was Indian and his mom was white.. so that would make him Indian...

race in America is such a complex issue... Who cares what he is ... he is a great musician..
[Edited 7/28/08 10:48am]

pplrain said:

america?

u mean north and south america?
or just the USA?

laurarichardson said:

Maybe, and maybe he had a much bigger vision than that too...? You only have to listen to his lyrics really...

Enough already. Prince might not look black now a days but he's black.

jdcxc said:

Very good point.

Jeffiner said:

-----
Exactly, he had a bigger vision and he was not going to let race stop him.

Rinluv said:

black...oh so black is it? if your skin is brown at all...you are just "black"? that's it? no nationalities in there somewhere?
just wondering cause there were a few other people who said "he's black" too and it made me wonder.

laurarichardson said:

I mean a vision that was something a little bigger than his own career..

blackguitaristz said:

What crazy shit is this NE way? Bottom line if you're a light skinned brotha/sistah with light eyes u gotta be mixed with something and there's nothing wrong with having something extra in your family tree. Same if your're a dark haired, dark eyed caucasion (brother/sister). Everybody does!
Hell, would NE body have though Halle Berry was mixed if they hadn't seen her mom? I she any less mixed than Mariah Carey or Jennifer Beals? Does Ne body ever guess about Cindy Crawford especially when u line her up against Christie Brinkley or Ana Kornukova? Bottom line, the world is made up of fruitcake, ambrosia, and gumbo with some fried rice thrown in!!