Considering how prolific he is, and how great his concerts and live perfomances are...not to mention his Longevity. I may not like all of it, but still appreciative that he's still making music and much of it is decent, if not interesting. I also look at other artist who are still putting music out there that have been around as long. Their output is no better, but still it's all relative. Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and others are still doing their thing, yet even I know that their output is no longer what it "was". It's just what they are doing now and most fans are grateful when these guys and gals put out something new. Prince is reaching this legendary stage with these folks and really other than maybe Madonna, no one I can think of has that much musical staying power much less being really popular and getting their music played.

We also have other prolific artists like Bjork and Beck, who are also starting to follow suit. I think all artist have peaks and valleys, but I think the fact that someone can keep doing it, especially when it is quality (which Princes music always is) is simply amazing.

So why are we so harsh on Prince? It's something I understand on a certian level with his business decisions, but I never really criticize the music..it is what it is.

People have negative and positive things to say about him, just like they do about other artists

luv4u said:

It's seems a bit over the top here. As soon as he puts out a note, folks are all of it and judging and saying "it should have been an A flat there..oh he's DOOOOOMED!"

superspaceboy said:

After the stunts that have been pulled what do you expect? lol

I also think that in 20 years time all of the music we're getting now will be the good ole days. I hear folks say that P lost it all after Lovesexy and I think there was a lot more good things that came after that. Even now, but not as much. I know a lot of my biases come from a lyrical stand point. Like Lion of Judah, when I first heard it, I loved it for the music, but eventually the lyrics ot to me. But something like Black Sweat...CLASSIC.

luv4u said:

Yes, over the years I realize his antics have been oft times not appreciated...Paisely Party Horror stories, CB isaster, The whole pouting during 3121...I get that and it's very frustrating...And I suppose he is a very frustrating artist to be a fan of. Maybe that does have a lot to do with it. MJ Fans have it a lot worse (not wanting to make this a P vs M thread

Good question.
Honest critique and truthful criticisms are one thing, but too often it is as if the universe will implode if he doesn't do A, B, C or Z, preferably all at the same time. And it's amazing what folks read into quotes, tidbits, random photos, misquotes and pure heresay, as if their conclusions are documented fact. lol

Bottom line is he's a fascinating music icon and wildly talented and successful at it. That generates a lot of different energies. Because he's so successful, the harshest critics make sport of him 'cause "he can take it," they basically feel.
He's a victim of his own success in that respect, not that it's not worth it overall. Just a bump in the road.
lol

blackwell1 said:

I get what you say about reading into little tidbits. I've seen people round here criticize P's mention of using Protools as if something like that had never been used before with his music. He was saying he's using it not doing everything with it. It's not an instument, it's a recording and arrangement tool, and for someone who prolly likes to lay stuff down at ungodly hours, he can do it himself. Yet peeps here went on about "what does P think he can do that Timbaland and Dr Dre aint already doing"

have you ever been to a concert and he just stops playing and looks at us then we cheer ...and the he looks like his lookin at his watch then they clap a little more then he goes over to the stairs and sits down and waits ....and waits ...another glance at the watch he does not have on ...then the applause gets a little louder and then he looks at us like is that all you got?!?!? ....then he proceeds to lay on the stairs like we are not there at all and he starts looking at his nails and then the crowd goes wild and then he looks right and then left and the people and then he starts to play again ...THATS WHY WE ARE SO HARSH ON HIM

skywalker said:

I really think there's something to that. Case in point: all the folks wailing (after the New Yorker article), "He hates the gaaaaayyyyyzzzzz!" Even though they have no what he actually said.

I've wondered the same thing for years. There are a few who's hate on prince is basically pathalogical and then u have those haters who's disapointment with prince (for what ever reason) has led them to be in a dysfunctional relationship with him.

Similar to those in marriges that won't end them but constantly moan and belittle their mate. Then u have those who are stroking their own ego by feeling they are somehow superior to prince or his equal if they are able negatively critique his music and/or life.

All and all Prince is to this very day an exceptional musical talent. That is evident on PE and the latest songs. But if you are constantly listening to SOTT or lovesexy are anything else from the distant past and then expecting some recent creation to sound like it u will only be disapointed. Everything is a product of its time.

People in the public eye like Prince are subject to people's critisms. There seems to be a love/hate relationship, which is normal. And for someone as quirky as he is, even moreso. The "Prince can do no wrong" mentality is reserved for die-hard stalkerish fans.

The reason why Prince attracts such extreme reactions (prince fams on one side, naysayers on the other side) is that there is something addictive about his music (cds and live performances).
people want their shoot of Prince's stuff.
Problem is when they don't like what their hear, they don't get their drug. And then it's all about frustration, anger, excessiveness.
Same story when the reactions are extremely positive. Sometimes Prince deserves that kind of reactions but some fans will appreciate anything he does, whatever it is, good or bad. They just want their drug, they get it, that's fine for them.

We have been used to releases on a yearly basis, constant news, tours, aftershows, proteges, apparitions here and there with other bands in clubs, Prince playing with us with his annoyong constant chess game.

In fact Prince has a strategy of constant stimulation (positive or negative) towards his fans base.

He is playing with us (i.e Something big is coming or feel Good Feel Wonderful or Roadhosue garden or right now LotusFlower or London Mc Millan's nice mails to fans sites).

You end up with an explosive cocktail but what an exciting journey. Everything but boring.
[Edited 1/9/09 5:25am]

I've NEVER been harsh on Prince, and you're welcome to check on all my posts. Before I would speak negatively about him or his work, I would just pass the entire thread. I belong to many P fan communities online but this is about the harshest.

Dayclear said:

You're right. Don't look any further, it is the harshest community right here.
[Edited 1/9/09 6:28am]

I'm not harsh on his music, but I'm harsh on the man, because honestly, he's an asshole.

He treats his fans with disdain, acts like a looney much of the time, and just in general comes across as someone who's music you may love, but seems to tire of people and use them up.

His past is littered with folks who held his interested for a certain period of time, then he's over and done with them. Look at his band mates, looks at his ladies, etc.

So, I'm harsh on him when he acts like an ass. Like the whole YouTube/Creep fiasco or the way he's treated fans and their websites. It's ridiculous, and honestly, it's his fans that kept him eating during the last 1990s when his records weren't charting at all.

At least he's consistent - at being a jerk :p

If u read the negative.....and positive exchange
Then u understand.....that the gatekeepers must change
31 years of the Purple fame
Negative fans.....all part of the chess game

It's often the case that his most hostile critics are also the biggest cheerleaders of his talent. And there's no contradiction or hypocracy in taking that stance. Many just feel Prince is coasting, cashing in on his colossal talent. They know he is capable of unique, starlingly original music and just want him to dig deep and surprise them once again.
When all's said and done, I don't think there's anyone on this site getting off on trolling and posting unconstructive criticism just to piss folk off. I sometimes feel in tune with Giovanni777, Tricky99 & Greycap - then at times I feel Wall and Bart have valid points.
efmgvnmsdrbp[

Some people are just like his mother they're never satisfied.

I posted this on the Part 2 of Prince's L.A. Times interview but I thought it would be appropriate here too, with some editing to make it more thread-appropriate.

For me personally, I am not a "kool-aid drinker" or a "fam". I am just a fan who tries to be positive about Prince & his music. I try to focus on what's good with him and I try to be objective but I can see the forest from the trees too. I know that Prince has been and may still be an asshole but I choose not to focus on the negatives unless it becomes too much. I've been one of the people to ask questions to other fans about "why would you be in a place for someone you're not feeling anymore?" and as it's their right to say what they say on here, it's also my right to ask the questions I wanna ask, since this is a public forum. I try not to ask in a malicious manner, it's just to understand the person and continue the conversations. I don't know what makes the man tick or anything like that, but I do enjoy the music the man makes a lot. If I didn't, I wouldn't be on here.

Number23 said:

a very wise and accurate reply. We need Giovanni for the inside info [when he can be bothered!] and the Barts of this world to keep it real. At the end of the
day a good P track / gig / honest interview etc will always unite us. You just can't please everyone. I have to say that a visit to ANY fan site forums for established artists will show the same , if not more 'haters'. I think we're a cool bunch!.

i don't believe i'm harsh on him.
i give my honest opinion wether it be good or bad but i don't attack him or anyone really for stupid reasons.

he has given me so much and i think i pretty much respect him as i would any friend.
yeah fair enough i don't know him in person but that's no reason to show a little decency..i draw the line where it needs to be drawn.

like the whole posting pictures of brie cheese thing?



[Edited 1/11/09 4:44am]

not everyone gets him and his music i guess,,

Number23 said:

really?

purplecorvette1 said:

I know there are only a tiny proportion of people on here who are harsh and even they have just a small gripe. There is the odd nutter is goes beserk from time to time. I don't think there's anything to be harsh on Prince for...ok he has cancelled concerts and that's not fair to those who bought a ticket and don't get a refund (myself included) and shutdown websites. But in all the years I've been a Prince fan, I have never known us to have so much access to the guy! And I've never seen so much footage of him! Who is this down to? Prince, that's who!

There was a time when Prince never appeared on TV shows or award ceremonies and never did interviews...In the last 10 years, he's been on Oprah Winfrey, Letterman show, Superbowl, American Idol...I mean we get to see Prince perform more than a lot of other artists. I remember times when all you did was sit and wait for an album to be released, buy it, listen to it and then wait for a Video or a tour, go the concert and then wait for the next album which is what a lot of artists do.

I've read about orgers being lucky enough to go to special Prince shows, meeting the man himself and people being lucky enough to go to Paisley Park....which other artist does this for their fans? When did Madonna or jay Z invite fans to their home or an organised concert?

He did 21 nights in London were tickets cost just £31.21!!!! (To see a megastar!)...I've read Madonna wants over £100 for her concert and Babera Streisand wanted £400 a ticket for one of her concerts!

And who cares if Prince isn't charting anymore...I don't...the guys ouput is amazing and I for one am grateful for what I get....I mean what should I expect?
I read on here one guy spent 90,000USD moving house to MPLS just to get to go to a paisley park concert and then Prince decided not to do any shows...the guy says he holds an Italian grudge and Prince owes him big time! I mean stuff like this is ridiculous...

I'm grateful that the guy is still making music.

golfgolfmark said:

....that's cool

Number23 said:

You're too smart and been here too long to actually believe that bullshit.

blackwell1 said:

Yeah, i've never understood that either. Then again, P's history shows that he fosters this type of behaviour so it's to be expected since fans have been conditioned to interpret what P says. Look at the Lotusflower site for the latest example.

Genesia said:

Well, that's on P inn't? He's the one that sets up these (what I think are) outrageous demands - no pen, paper, tape recorder, chalk, crayon, etc. - for reporters to decide whether they want to follow or not. I mean, would you really say "Ya know P, I don't have that great of a memory, so i'm gonna have to pass at the opportunity to meet and talk to you". And if (when) they misquote him, they're both to blame. The reporter for not having a photographic memory and remember what P said and quoting him correctly and P for putting them both in that sort of situation. And not coming out and definitvely clarifying his position and letting fans "speculate" just adds fuel to the fire.

bleutuna said:

^ This about sums it up.