THe dumbest thread on the site. Those artists are so young that they are ripping off other artists who ripped off Prince. Chocolate Box is vintage electronic Prince music which goes back to Controversy in the early 80s - before these punks were even born.

this is without a doubt one of the most uninformed posts that I have seen. It's called Mplsound because it is Prince's vintage damn near trademarked sonic tricks. Yes, it sounds like Fergie and Will.I.Am...they are trying to sound like early 80's electrofunk-ie-Prince. Hello? Controversy? 1999? Jamie Starr? Check it out.
[Edited 4/3/09 21:04pm]

I must say I was quite surprised at this joint - especially the way P's bridge vocals are oh so reminiscent of Fergie's work of late.."she want the BOX of chocolates every day!..."

This is showing Prince does listen to current radio, and in some ways, is trying to do cuts that have a somewhat modern/urban vibe young listeners will dig. In this case, I think It does not work.

It is quite obvious that Will.I.Am and Fergie would die to work with Prince, and we know are both huge fans - to hear a hero of theirs immulate their style has got to be interesting to them.

Remember a few years back when P was diggin Gwen Stefani and No Doubt? he called her and did a few cuts together, one on his "Rave UN 2 Joy Fantastic" album, and one of the No Doubt "rock steady" album. For this song, I think P should have just called up Fergie and Will and done the cut together, even have Will.I.AM help with drum programming, to add a more hip, current/modern urban feel. Q Tip is one of my favorite rappers of all time, and his verse is cool, but definitely done in the Vibe/Tone of Fergie/Will.I.Am. He should have got Q-Tip on a more jazzy/message laden track - a la "Dear. Mr Man", "Colonized Mind", or even a funky one - "Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful"...

Overall, I dig MPLSoUND and LOtUSFLOW3R - and I am extremely happy to be bumpin some new music from the best musician to ever do it. I have accepted the fact there is not going to be another "Purple Rain", "Controversy", "Sign O The Times", so i accept these albums for what they are - new music from a genius who has been creating incredible music for over 30 years, who manages to re-invent trends and sounds, and explore musical styles as time goes on.

I didn't know who he was trying to immitate but I knew it was somebody current but it definately does not sound like the way Prince usually delivers his lyrics.

No Skywalker...you are off here buddy. Chocolate Box is not close to being nearly as good as or funky as CONTROVERSY, 1999, HEAD, DIRTY MIND, SEXUALITY, EXTRA LOVEABLE, PURPLE MUSIC, ETC...it is not even in the same atmosphere..NOT CLOSE!

I am sorry. I didn't think we were talking about your opinion of what is "good" or not. I thought we were talking sounds, sonics, and music production.

Your argument is tainted with your biased statements such as "enough already - chocolate box sucks!"

We could go back and forth on what "classic Prince" sounds like, but I tend to agree with lezama's idea:

"Chocolate Box is a "Prince" sound moderninzed with modern synths and sampling that to me at least evokes Tricky."

I hear you, and apologize for the argumentitive tone I displayed. (love 4 1 another, right...lol)

A better way to explain what I mean is this - let's take "NO MORE CANDY 4 U". For most Prince fans, it would be obvious that that particular track was recorded in the "vibe" or "style" of Controversy/Dirty Mind era Prince, with the uptempo, rockabilly feel you also get from a "jack u off", "ronnie, talk to russia", "horny toad", etc.

My point was, you can say the same for "chocolate box" and "fergalicious" being done in similar "vibe" or "style". I have discussed this in person with people who know both Prince, and the Fergalicious song, and her other hit song "My Humps". A majority of folks felt what I was saying, other people who produce and write music, and are aware of what is currently playing on urban radio. I would agree, this song is a modern take on an uptempo, electronic prince jam. Will it be regarded in his top 100 songs of all time one day - i SEVERELY doubt that.
did he "bite" that vibe, I'd say yes - does it matter - no. did he "bite" hendrix's vibe on "dreamer"? Yes. Does it matter, in that case - yes, because to have enough talent to even come close to sounding hendrix-esque is a feat in itself. lets drop this and listen to some damn PRINCE!