Can someone please explain to me how Prince is still relevant musically? Yes, he can still sell-out multiple shows and perform with his band better than anyone out there -- but who is talking about his musical output, not just performance? I guess maybe some newcomes on the music scene are inspired by his 1980's work, but I'm talking now - in the 2000's - who'se talking about this work? To me it seems he has become irrelevant musically -- relegated to just performing (albeit beautifully and masterfully) and not creating or innovating.

Don't just tell me I'm wrong, can someone please point to something concrete? And the response "he's old, has done enough so cut him some slack" or a variation thereof will not suffice.

Jatrig said:

Depends on what you call "relevance". With out a doubt he's one of THE most relevant "musician" shaping the music industry since his break with Warner Brothers. I think this is where he's most focused these days if you watch what he's been doing.

On the musical end, saying he's irrelevant is narrowing ones criteria to what mainstream pop artists are doing and I don't think he cares about them that much. I'd say his last really breakthrough/groundbreaking album would have been the Rainbow Children. It doesn't matter if the mainstream populace doesn't know it. Relevance in music doesn't come from the mainstream, it comes from the mainstream's appropriation of what's happening in the margins.

Who would u consider relevant?

Thanks for the thoughfull response. I didn't contemplate "mainstream" into my definition of relevance but I see where you could infer that. I think I was talking more in terms of other musicians -- pop, alternative, indepedent, or otherwise.

Graycap struck a similar chord.

I guess I'm saying I think bands like "Of Montreal" in the rock/inde world and, in the hip-hop world, acts like Kanye and Timbaland are relevant. - that is they musically groundbreaking, or at the least - doing interesting things musically, and setting trends and standards for other artists -- whether it be "popular" or not. I don't think Common's electric circus, for example, was "pop" but it was "relevant." I hope I'm making sense.

In this way - Prince's work of the last 10 years has not met this definition. Trends & Standards are not set by 3121 or Rave or even the Rainbow Children the way Of Montreal's music has set certain standards for the music world. Fuk whether it's "popular."

It seems Prince is now having to be content with going against trends rather than setting them.
[Edited 10/15/08 14:35pm]

I believe that any artist that has made such a profound mark in the history of music should never be consider irrelevant, regardless of whether he/she's even comin out wit hew songs are not. He still has sold out shows which makes him very relevant to me. Ol' skool is always relevant!

http://lefsetz.com/wordpr...uper-bowl/

Jatrig said:

Hmmm... yeah, well I guess if you've been in the music industry over 25 years, chasing the top kinda loses "relevance" for you (unless you're Madonna or someone, and even she's not successful at it really).

I believe it is how familiar people are with Prince's music. When the Bible says, "Faith cometh by hearing," I suppose what we listen to, is what guides us to an understanding.

Maybe younger people haven't had the time to digest all of Prince music to realize there is a iceberg beneath, "Planet Earth." or even "Purple Rain."

Prince being relevant to us is subjective.

Whilst he may not be considered 'hot' in the current media, Prince is indeed still relevant. For instance, his quest for artistic freedom, ownership and foresight regarding selling ones music online came almost a decade before it actually became the norm. During that period, Prince.. or the symbol he used as a name.. was ridiculed and seen as highly irrelevant - washed up even. However, in looking back now, it would appear that he was one of the most cutting edge artists around in regard to his business vision and marketing ideas. Prince sold crystal ball online in 1998 (yes 1998!). Thats ten years ago. When did itunes come into play? when did radiohead begin selling their work online? How many artists now sell direct to consumer? When did this trend begin?

Prince is also relevant in the sense that i dont see anybody today topping what he did in his prime. Who today has the multitude of gifts that he had? Prince was handed his crown from from the likes of stevie wonder and james brown. Who do you suppose prince hands his crown to? pharell? timberlake?


Lastly, prince is still relevant to 'MUSIC' as that what he is - a musician. And a world class one at that. His lie performances can still blow people away and deliver moments of brilliance. I would find it hard to name another artist/group that could keep up with prince musically on stage or offer the same energy he does (and the guy is 50yrs of age)



I agree his latest albums are far from his best work and he is unlikely to ever sell PR levels again... but who does? its a different time. People have sacrificed mega album sales for largely profits via direct marketing. Its a new world. He does still produce some great songs though, if not at the rate he once did.


Princes impact on Music will always be present and his relevancy will continue. The question could be 'what relevance does current chart music have with the great work and ability of prince (sly, hendrix, whoever)'

Prince's latest work may not be as topically relevant, but his 'relevance' lives on in contemporary acts such as Timberland, Neptunes, Outcast, etc... and most of those acts will admit to that.

I'm not sure it's possible to stay 'relevant' using the limited definition of 'furthering contemporary boundaries'. In that sense, something can be relevant one moment, irrelevant another, simple because of the latest market perceptions.

However, an artist can always be relevant to those who listen or appreciate his music at the time it's relevant to them! It almost becomes a philosophical question at that point.

At the end of the day, I think this restrictive view of relevance and how contemporary someone is or isn't, matters little against other more simple factors... is the music tuneful/enjoyable, is the guy/girl producing it a talented musician, etc. Prince consistently ticks all these boxes.

Jatrig said:

3121 said:

I wish i could be fluent in english to put it the same way you did!

...this would be my answer...now i am talking about personal...not general..example...planet earth made me cry..of happiness...it was like he was talking directly to ME...now that alone is revelant..i consider myself an up-to-date-gal...i know what is good and what is trash..prince is the biz-bomb!..his 1st cd came out in 1977...that's the same year i was born..for you..made me feel warm and welcomed...i mean i feel such a closeness with prince...plus many people feel love for the artist...you have to honor that respect a nation has for prince....mzsexybaby

He is MUSIC so that makes him relevant