P has never really had great success producing a legitimate stand alone act. The music either sounds like watered down versions of his or they cut a cool single but never take off. Been trying to think of an exception. Anybody?

He hasn't really produced anyone he hasn't written the songs for as well though. Might be a moot question. You could use The Bangles as an example. The track is Prince, and you can hear a bit of Brenda and Susan on the track as well. It was a hit for them. They were established before that song or album. And since they used a Prince track to sing over, it could be considered a "Prince production".

The same argument could go for anyone who uses one of his tracks. Kenny Rogers (I assume that's Prince's track, but I don't know for sure.) Sheena Easton. Taja Sevelle. Martika might be another example as far as his production for her, although his songs never quite took off for her.

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[Edited 12/19/09 12:23pm]

mzkqueen03 said:

You're not paying attention.

mzkqueen03 said:

Eh, as I understand it Prince basically did everything on those albums, with some exceptions, and then directed the singers to do the vocals exactly as he wanted them. The Time and Sheila E., at least in the early-mid '80s and on album, were basically puppets.

rialb said:

That's why some of them left the Prince group.

prince production. you gonna sound like him, look like him, act like him but not get paid like him

DesireeNevermind said:

DesireeNevermind said:

Damn so true.

DesireeNevermind said:

DesireeNevermind said:

Thats my Des !

sgmusic said:

WTF?????

patti labelle
yo mister
#6 r&b

sgmusic said:

You can pretty much say the same thing about most producers. Typically they have a signature sound or at the very least there is something about their music which is common among acts they produce. When you here a difference.. it's because the artist themselves have such a strong musical identity that the producers style doesn't over shadow it.

and What would you qualify as legitimate...? I'ld say albums by Tevin Cambell, Sheila E, the Time, etc etc etc etc etc where all legitimate.

BigDaddyHQ said:

I think the difference with Prince vs. lot of other producers is that with a Prince production the music basically sounds like a Prince song with someone else singing the lead vocals (often directed by Prince exactly how to sing the vocals). With most successful producers they try to adapt their style depending on who they are producing. For example, when Rick Rubin produces the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash and Slipknot each artist still sounds like themselves, they don't sound like a Rick Rubin production. That is rarely the case with Prince.

BigDaddyHQ said:

The Time were produced by Prince early in their careers but were not superstars in their own right and were always associated with Prince. Wiki about their start - The band went on to release four albums (mostly performed by Prince + singer Morris Day alone) during the course of their main career, each a solid slice of jammy, rock-infused 80s funk, generally light and humorous in tone, strongly influenced by Parliament - and, of course, Prince. Although they scored numerous hits (including "The Bird", "Jungle Love", "777-9311", "Get It Up", "Gigolos Get Lonely Too", "The Walk" and "Cool", mostly on the R&B charts) during the early 1980s, they never approached superstardom. Love Sheila to death but all of her hits are well...you know.

Prince produced tracks on Tevin Cambell's sophmore album. He was already an artist before Prince came along. I was trying to think of an out of the box start up act where he has produced them from the gate. In my humble opinion legitimate means they can move 500k+ units that are conceptualized and produced by Prince,they've attained "superstar" status and can pack major venues on their own strength as headliners.

sgmusic said:

What is the TIME?
.....U 4 get what Prince's goals were with his"groups".
That was 2 get HIS music out.
[Edited 6/25/09 7:42am]

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[Edited 12/19/09 12:24pm]