There's lots of live material and programs and rehearsals on Youtube right now too. Seems like anything that gets taken down is up again fast.

NouveauDance said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

And there you have it.... Prince's gay fans (not saying Prince is gay by the way) will never bring themselves to acknowledge it

I am African American but I belong to a sports blog where 85% on the bloggers are 30 to 40 something white males. The blog has a section to talk about general topics including politics and music. I'm telling you right now I have posted that video of Prince shredding My Guitar and they were blown away. They had no idea... ZERO that he could play the guitar like that. The Super Bowl press conferences from the 2006 where Prince did not actually take questions but performed they were again blown away. Not to mention the actual SB performance. I even posted the Fury live clip from SNL. Again blown away Why? Because Prince alienates people and makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s his journey and more power to him... but when you walk around in heels, look better than Halle Berry (well maybe not Halle but you get the point) it distracts from the music which is what Prince says he is all about.

IMO if it was just about the music then he wouldn't be sitting on a giant flower naked with his hand near his nipple, legs crossed and a penis head coming out of one of the flower pistols. Look at the Newpowersoul Cover, or the promo pictures of Planet Earth.... I mean there are coutless other examples of where Prince offends the eyes Americans. The vast majority of people buy the music of people they feel like they relate to or like. So while Prince has been able to reach millions of fans with just his music... the vast majority of fans aren't like that

Prince has long sung about "our clothes our hair... we don't care" Well that’s all fine and good but some people are turned off by men that parade around dressed like women... and since they can't get beyond that it’s the single greatest reason why Prince doesn't dominate music and is not more iconic outside of Prince's own fans and music critics

That and the fact that Prince being a jack of all trades and master of much has more often than not mixed styles on albums that as I said earlier alienates people. Fans of Housequake aren't necessarily going to be down with Play in the Sunshine. Fans of American aren't down with Condition of the Heart. Fans of Kiss can't necessarily be down with Do U Lie.

Prince is probably the greatest combination of singer, musician, song writer, live performer and musical innovator I will ever see in my lifetime.... but I would be lying if I said it doesn't bother me that more people don't realize how talented he is. I am fully aware of the reasons why though and accepts it.

Lovesexy is a masterpiece and should have reached millions of more people. Prince sacrificed reaching those people by putting that ridiculous picture on the cover

Hey it’s his ride <shrug>

[Edited 9/15/10 8:31am]

That's all true, all true. But if someone can't mentally get past a stage costume or ONLY want quiet storm ballads or ONLY shreading guitar noize, who gives a fuck about them. It's not like Prince is broke because these people can't open their eyes and minds.

Bluring and breaking gender and race boundaries is what Prince was all about. Fuck everyone else.

Both post were spot on! Bravo!!!

Prince does alienate, but I agree with NouveauDance...Fuck'em if they can look past the facade.

BlackandRising said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

And there you have it.... Prince's gay fans (not saying Prince is gay by the way) will never bring themselves to acknowledge it

I am African American but I belong to a sports blog where 85% on the bloggers are 30 to 40 something white males. The blog has a section to talk about general topics including politics and music. I'm telling you right now I have posted that video of Prince shredding My Guitar and they were blown away. They had no idea... ZERO that he could play the guitar like that. The Super Bowl press conferences from the 2006 where Prince did not actually take questions but performed they were again blown away. Not to mention the actual SB performance. I even posted the Fury live clip from SNL. Again blown away Why? Because Prince alienates people and makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s his journey and more power to him... but when you walk around in heels, look better than Halle Berry (well maybe not Halle but you get the point) it distracts from the music which is what Prince says he is all about.

IMO if it was just about the music then he wouldn't be sitting on a giant flower naked with his hand near his nipple, legs crossed and a penis head coming out of one of the flower pistols. Look at the Newpowersoul Cover, or the promo pictures of Planet Earth.... I mean there are coutless other examples of where Prince offends the eyes Americans. The vast majority of people buy the music of people they feel like they relate to or like. So while Prince has been able to reach millions of fans with just his music... the vast majority of fans aren't like that

Prince has long sung about "our clothes our hair... we don't care" Well that’s all fine and good but some people are turned off by men that parade around dressed like women... and since they can't get beyond that it’s the single greatest reason why Prince doesn't dominate music and is not more iconic outside of Prince's own fans and music critics

That and the fact that Prince being a jack of all trades and master of much has more often than not mixed styles on albums that as I said earlier alienates people. Fans of Housequake aren't necessarily going to be down with Play in the Sunshine. Fans of American aren't down with Condition of the Heart. Fans of Kiss can't necessarily be down with Do U Lie.

Prince is probably the greatest combination of singer, musician, song writer, live performer and musical innovator I will ever see in my lifetime.... but I would be lying if I said it doesn't bother me that more people don't realize how talented he is. I am fully aware of the reasons why though and accepts it.

Lovesexy is a masterpiece and should have reached millions of more people. Prince sacrificed reaching those people by putting that ridiculous picture on the cover

Hey it’s his ride <shrug>

[Edited 9/15/10 8:31am]

you know, I remember when Lovesexy came out, and the artwork just didn't faze me one bit. I went in, picked it up, took it to the counter, and paid for it. Given what we had seen from Prince up to that point (Dirty Mind cover, naked on a horse, etc), it was a non-issue. I have come to think that if someone had issues with it, it said more about them and how they thought in general.

So true that cover of him is beautiful. Its nothing compared 2 what u see 2day.

Thing is, Prince is a visonary artist. He will do what he deems fit to fulfil his vision.

This slots into things like the Lovesexy cover which reflected the album itself. A symbol of rebirth was it's main point, as was the albums theme. It was no gimmic ala GaGa, it was artistic intent. This is what Prince is and will continue to do and this kind of astist is usually way ahead of their time and will be appreciated and more understood as time goes by.

MORE artists like this are needed.

skywalker said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I agree with people being turned off by his androgyny. It may have gotten him a lot of attention in the beginning. But being a fan of his I have gotten teased a lot & have been considered gay or bisexual because i 'm a diehard fan of his. Prince to me is the most gifted artist I have ever listened to & experienced live. But I think his gift has been lost to a lot of people that are very conservative & not open minded.

But then again MJ wasn't the most masculine & was very androgynous himself. But the more weirder he dressed the more turned off a lot of people got.

But the Prince now is not the same Prince of the 80's. He has toned down his look to a very conservative classy "The Time" look with the Tailored suits. I would consider him the best dressed out of all the male rock stars today.

Is that right?

[img:$uid]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/shawnsolo3000/scan0001-12.jpg[/img:$uid]

exactly LMAO What a mess... but thats my boy!

I completely agree with what most of you all are saying. BUT. The one thing that cannot be omitted is that some of us (me) dug prince regardless of his image because his music trumped everything else. Case in point that very youtube video. Even the people who posted on it who profess to hate Prince and diss his appearance and his "gayness" all/most concede him to be great upon watching the performance.

When Princes music started to feel more like by-the-numbers pop schlock, that is when his image hurt him. There was no way he could pull off a lollipop sucking pimp cane rocking sickly meth addict persona while performing and releasing the goofball kiddie schock he was peddling in the 90's

Yeah, the image hurt him, but by pandering and dumbing down his own music hurt him more. Ultimately we get over the image pretty quickly if you can blow us away. Like he blew us away.

Susan Boyle is another case in point, people didn't give her a chance and mocked her unlit they heard her sing.

I guarantee that if Prince had retired in 1989, he would still rank as high as he does now or maybe even higher. Its not the image it's the work.

One problem, that guitar solo isn't that great. Not even close to his best.

Cerebus said:

One problem, that guitar solo isn't that great. Not even close to his best.

Man some of you guys are hard to please! lol

THAT IS AN AWESOME SOLO! Love everything about it.

vi0letblues said:

Cerebus said:

One problem, that guitar solo isn't that great. Not even close to his best.

Man some of you guys are hard to please! lol

THAT IS AN AWESOME SOLO! Love everything about it.

It's pretty sloppy, even for Prince. It's got some nice emotion and feeling to it, but it's really not anywhere near the realm of his best guitar work. Also, I think the falling backwards thing is silly and near insulting. That performance was about honoring George Harrison, not paying attention to Prince. He could have done the same thing during his performance time.

Cerebus said:

vi0letblues said:

Man some of you guys are hard to please! lol

THAT IS AN AWESOME SOLO! Love everything about it.

It's pretty sloppy, even for Prince. It's got some nice emotion and feeling to it, but it's really not anywhere near the realm of his best guitar work. Also, I think the falling backwards thing is silly and near insulting. That performance was about honoring George Harrison, not paying attention to Prince. He could have done the same thing during his performance time.

I think the point was to honor him and interpret him, not mimic him like the rest of those stiff boards did on that stage. The guitar solo was great and Prince has never been a technical player, always basing his solos on emotion rather than math.

Spinlight said:

Cerebus said:

It's pretty sloppy, even for Prince. It's got some nice emotion and feeling to it, but it's really not anywhere near the realm of his best guitar work. Also, I think the falling backwards thing is silly and near insulting. That performance was about honoring George Harrison, not paying attention to Prince. He could have done the same thing during his performance time.

I think the point was to honor him and interpret him, not mimic him like the rest of those stiff boards did on that stage. The guitar solo was great and Prince has never been a technical player, always basing his solos on emotion rather than math.

I totally agree with you. Like I said, sloppy, even for Prince. But how is putting the attention on you falling off the stage honoring him? Anyway, I'm not all up in here bashing Prince or the performance (or anybody who likes it, for that matter). Love Prince, enjoyed this solo. I just don't think it's as spectacular as a lot of people make it out to be.

NouveauDance said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

And there you have it.... Prince's gay fans (not saying Prince is gay by the way) will never bring themselves to acknowledge it

I am African American but I belong to a sports blog where 85% on the bloggers are 30 to 40 something white males. The blog has a section to talk about general topics including politics and music. I'm telling you right now I have posted that video of Prince shredding My Guitar and they were blown away. They had no idea... ZERO that he could play the guitar like that. The Super Bowl press conferences from the 2006 where Prince did not actually take questions but performed they were again blown away. Not to mention the actual SB performance. I even posted the Fury live clip from SNL. Again blown away Why? Because Prince alienates people and makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s his journey and more power to him... but when you walk around in heels, look better than Halle Berry (well maybe not Halle but you get the point) it distracts from the music which is what Prince says he is all about.

IMO if it was just about the music then he wouldn't be sitting on a giant flower naked with his hand near his nipple, legs crossed and a penis head coming out of one of the flower pistols. Look at the Newpowersoul Cover, or the promo pictures of Planet Earth.... I mean there are coutless other examples of where Prince offends the eyes Americans. The vast majority of people buy the music of people they feel like they relate to or like. So while Prince has been able to reach millions of fans with just his music... the vast majority of fans aren't like that

Prince has long sung about "our clothes our hair... we don't care" Well that’s all fine and good but some people are turned off by men that parade around dressed like women... and since they can't get beyond that it’s the single greatest reason why Prince doesn't dominate music and is not more iconic outside of Prince's own fans and music critics

That and the fact that Prince being a jack of all trades and master of much has more often than not mixed styles on albums that as I said earlier alienates people. Fans of Housequake aren't necessarily going to be down with Play in the Sunshine. Fans of American aren't down with Condition of the Heart. Fans of Kiss can't necessarily be down with Do U Lie.

Prince is probably the greatest combination of singer, musician, song writer, live performer and musical innovator I will ever see in my lifetime.... but I would be lying if I said it doesn't bother me that more people don't realize how talented he is. I am fully aware of the reasons why though and accepts it.

Lovesexy is a masterpiece and should have reached millions of more people. Prince sacrificed reaching those people by putting that ridiculous picture on the cover

Hey it’s his ride <shrug>

[Edited 9/15/10 8:31am]

That's all true, all true. But if someone can't mentally get past a stage costume or ONLY want quiet storm ballads or ONLY shreading guitar noize, who gives a fuck about them. It's not like Prince is broke because these people can't open their eyes and minds.

Bluring and breaking gender and race boundaries is what Prince was all about. Fuck everyone else.

Excellent follow-up points. Prince should never cave in to other people's narrow minds. Isn't Rock and Roll about upsetting people every once in a while? Look at the hatred spewed at Little Richard, Elvis, John Lennon, etc. Don't let the boring conservative navel-gazing tourists take over. And Prince doesn't have to prove anything to the Sporty Spice, frat boy or Guitar Hero crowd. Anyone with a shred of musical intelligence knows he is a unique multi-talented musician and a one-in-generation composer.

fantasticjoy said:

People are talking about how his image hindered him, but I think all the same it helped him. I say that because he looked different is what made him stand out. The same goes for MJ. Had they look like your typical boring so called normal people they probably would have never been the larger than life stars they became. I know I would have still loved Prince's music, but wouldn't have gave him as much attention. As now he's kind of toned down his look which to me kind of takes from the whole package. I just thank God he hasn't changed 100 %.

Someone posted Mj's 1995 MTV performance. And whatever preconceived notions get stuck in my head about the man, watching him do his stuff and blow you away, tears all preconceptions away and you are just left in awe.

I think that you are right that it helps in some ways and hurts in others, but in the end, for an artist its not about image but about substance.

NouveauDance said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

I hear you and totally understand what you are saying... but I have a different perspective. I do care because I feel like the gender bending, stage persona, obsessive "I'm not a woman ...I'm not a man" "male female symbol" crap is exhausting and has completely overshadowed what a fabulous musician he is. He has sacrificed his musical legacy for one that in the opinion of most of the music public (at least those who even care) paints him as a petulant and rebellious drag queen rather than a timeless and well respected musician.

Consider the theme of Lovesexy and how important he said it was to him. How he stopped the Black Album and prepared this one instead. He had something to say... Lovesexy was a very personal statement and he truly missed an opportunity to reach people all because of that narcissistic over the top picture.

Another poster talks about how other musicians view him or did. I totally get that because although I am not a musician a listen like one. I was sold out for Prince after hearing 1999 and Little Red Corvette, Something in the Water and All the Critics... but others can't even see Prince or hear those great songs because of his appearance then and even now.

It just is what is... and Prince has said fuck em'... just like you did... and in the process sacrificed a portion of his legacy that he claims is far more important than anything

His music

I understand your point, and really quite agree.

He does look naturally unusual, that's enough to put off some of these people. Even in a business suit, he'd still be a queer little thing.

I think more than the gender-bending, a bigger barrier has been his ego and bloody-mindedness (if you know that expression).

Coming back to the topic of the thread, like someone said above he could've already been all over YT etc if he hadn't thrown all his toys out of the pram about it. Same goes for remasters, vault and live releases. Even in interviews he's dick. I read a Herbie Hancock interview in the latest issue of Mojo magazine and he was completely down to earth and engaging about his past and his music - I really would like to hear this relatable engagement from Prince - because his cryptic arrogant silliness, which was once charming and cheeky, has just devolved into condescending dogma and blinkered insults. That whole thing puts people off, and these days when the amazing music isn't even there to back it up, well he just looks like an insular tosspot.

It is all a package though, would the music have be so great if he didn't have that FU attitude?

YOU ARE AWESOME! I couldn't agree more with this post.

I wish he'd get the hell out of his own head, you know? It's all such crap now, he's gone from someone folks admired and wanted to be like to a dude people just humor because they know how great he ONCE was. I wonder if he even GETS that.

And insular tosspot? I don't even know what that is and I love it. You're so not American I can tell.. and I like it!

dreamshaman32 said:

Prince is far better socialized than MJ because he went to public school and was exposed to many realities we all were.

Going to school has NOTHING to do with being socialized or not!! And BTW, MJ DID go to public school, it's how he got started!!

his image is so "tarnished" that he was just ranked the #7 artist of all time.

Alexandernvrmind said:

blackbob said:

i am afraid that prince dressing up like your auntie in drag in parts of his career has stopped people taking him seriously and has hidden his real musicial genius from the public in general...and being against internet sites showing him hasnt helped that....but i think that is slowly changing now...

And there you have it.... Prince's gay fans (not saying Prince is gay by the way) will never bring themselves to acknowledge it

I am African American but I belong to a sports blog where 85% on the bloggers are 30 to 40 something white males. The blog has a section to talk about general topics including politics and music. I'm telling you right now I have posted that video of Prince shredding My Guitar and they were blown away. They had no idea... ZERO that he could play the guitar like that. The Super Bowl press conferences from the 2006 where Prince did not actually take questions but performed they were again blown away. Not to mention the actual SB performance. I even posted the Fury live clip from SNL. Again blown away Why? Because Prince alienates people and makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s his journey and more power to him... but when you walk around in heels, look better than Halle Berry (well maybe not Halle but you get the point) it distracts from the music which is what Prince says he is all about.

IMO if it was just about the music then he wouldn't be sitting on a giant flower naked with his hand near his nipple, legs crossed and a penis head coming out of one of the flower pistols. Look at the Newpowersoul Cover, or the promo pictures of Planet Earth.... I mean there are coutless other examples of where Prince offends the eyes Americans. The vast majority of people buy the music of people they feel like they relate to or like. So while Prince has been able to reach millions of fans with just his music... the vast majority of fans aren't like that

Prince has long sung about "our clothes our hair... we don't care" Well that’s all fine and good but some people are turned off by men that parade around dressed like women... and since they can't get beyond that it’s the single greatest reason why Prince doesn't dominate music and is not more iconic outside of Prince's own fans and music critics

That and the fact that Prince being a jack of all trades and master of much has more often than not mixed styles on albums that as I said earlier alienates people. Fans of Housequake aren't necessarily going to be down with Play in the Sunshine. Fans of American aren't down with Condition of the Heart. Fans of Kiss can't necessarily be down with Do U Lie.

Prince is probably the greatest combination of singer, musician, song writer, live performer and musical innovator I will ever see in my lifetime.... but I would be lying if I said it doesn't bother me that more people don't realize how talented he is. I am fully aware of the reasons why though and accepts it.

Lovesexy is a masterpiece and should have reached millions of more people. Prince sacrificed reaching those people by putting that ridiculous picture on the cover

Hey it’s his ride <shrug>

[Edited 9/15/10 8:31am]

Your post shows exactly the problem with the world, Americans especially....we judge a book by it's cover. And we foolishly lose out on something great!! Prince is by far the best musician the world has ever seen and probably ever will see (if the last 20yrs is any indication of artists). He has done so much for music and mainstream doesn't even realize that. But that's their own lost. Prince WILL be a legend and his music will live on. People judging him based on his look is due to their own insecurites and prejudices!! Prince shouldn't have to worry about that or suffer from it. And thankfully, he didn't listen to the critics and he continued to do his thing cause I love every minute of it!

Alot of people starting criticizing him during the Parade days with his belly showing. Lots of women found it HOT and sexy..me included!! Then he pushed it further with the lovesexy days...at 1st I wasn't sure how to take it, now I'm loving it bigtime(he was HOT still!)! I see Prince was being him and expressing himself in the wackiest, most creative ways possible. And that I admire and respect and makes me love him even more. MJ was cursed by getting built up and then torn down, people weren't genuine, so 1st sign of trouble, they bailed!! The real fans stuck around and continued to support him and that's what he needed. Prince is the same, the only fans he needs are the ones that will understand and appreciate him for the amazing music he releases and the gorgeous man he is! All others, can stay away, he doesn't need that fake crap around. And he hasn't be interested in mainstream media's faking adoration! Kudos to him!

As a 51-year-old white establishment male, let me tell you that you have to be REALLY comfortable in your own skin to tell people that you are a Prince fan.

Androgeny dosent alienate American music fans, funk does. Look at David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler etc.. Prince puts maximum demand on alot of American ears and good luck w/ that. One of the funniest quotes on there is "the little f-cker can play guitar"They dont wanna know about it cuz frankly they aint real funky. So whats he supposed to do stifle himself cuz they dont get it? Hes doing that now and its enough to drive you to distraction. I think he does well not to buy an island somewhere and just buy out.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...U1-OmAICpU

RodeoSchro said:

As a 51-year-old white establishment male, let me tell you that you have to be REALLY comfortable in your own skin to tell people that you are a Prince fan.

True, but it's really true for any age.

A classic Prince moment

vi0letblues said:

RodeoSchro said:

As a 51-year-old white establishment male, let me tell you that you have to be REALLY comfortable in your own skin to tell people that you are a Prince fan.

True, but it's really true for any age.

They sure are comfortable buying up all the good seats for every show

RodeoSchro said:

As a 51-year-old white establishment male, let me tell you that you have to be REALLY comfortable in your own skin to tell people that you are a Prince fan.

So true! And honestly @ 25 it isn't easy either. The looks one gets when saying "I'm the biggest Prince fan and think he is the sexiest man alive!!" Alot of the young kids are like "huh?" My 9yr old niece got the WEIRDEST stares when she said in her Sunday School Class that her favorite musicians were Prince and Michael Jackson. Wonder where she got that from?

Alexandernvrmind said:

skywalker said:

[img:$uid]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73/shawnsolo3000/scan0001-12.jpg[/img:$uid]

exactly LMAO What a mess... but thats my boy!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that pic of him!! So classic and sleek, and he looks freaking SEXY!! That outfit is kickass and his body is smoking HOT! Hmm, I LOVE it!!

blackbob said:

dont know if this has been posted but prince's fantastic performance on the beatles while my guitar gently weeps is now approaching two million views on youtube.....if you type greatest guitar solo into youtube....you come up with prince....now its not the greatest guitar solo ever but its good to see him getting some recognition for his undoubted skills on the guitar ....most comments are amazed at how good he is and the usual negative comments from the knuckle draggers but ...hey two million views....fantastic...

not wanting to mike flowers pops it, but all of prince is on youtube?

flowers pops = judge

Cz neutrozapper

just to add to this....yes prince has dressed like your auntie betty in the past but why does prince get so put down with it all his career when you think of other major rock stars like david bowie ...who has cross dressed in parts of his career AND is a bi sexual man and freddie mercury of queen who was as camp as they come and 100 per cent a gay man....why is it when you mention bowie and queen ...you dont get the 'gay' putdown comments from boneheads but when you say prince...you do get the 'gay' putdown comments ?....i personally think that white guys ...and to a lesser extent ..white women...cant handle an effeminate little black man but can handle gay or bi sexual white guys ???....what other explanation is there for this if its not a racial thing ?....

.

blackbob said:

just to add to this....yes prince has dressed like your auntie betty in the past but why does prince get so put down with it all his career when you think of other major rock stars like david bowie ...who has cross dressed in parts of his career AND is a bi sexual man and freddie mercury of queen who was as camp as they come and 100 per cent a gay man....why is it when you mention bowie and queen ...you dont get the 'gay' putdown comments from boneheads but when you say prince...you do get the 'gay' putdown comments ?....i personally think that white guys ...and to a lesser extent ..white women...cant handle an effeminate little black man but can handle gay or bi sexual white guys ???....what other explanation is there for this if its not a racial thing ?....

Probably quite true.

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

dreamshaman32 said:

Prince is far better socialized than MJ because he went to public school and was exposed to many realities we all were.

Going to school has NOTHING to do with being socialized or not!! And BTW, MJ DID go to public school, it's how he got started!!

By puberty MJ had tutors and was traveling the country, at this time prince was starting bands, hanging out and trying to get laid like most teens.

Alexandernvrmind said:

NouveauDance said:

That's all true, all true. But if someone can't mentally get past a stage costume or ONLY want quiet storm ballads or ONLY shreading guitar noize, who gives a fuck about them. It's not like Prince is broke because these people can't open their eyes and minds.

Bluring and breaking gender and race boundaries is what Prince was all about. Fuck everyone else.

I hear you and totally understand what you are saying... but I have a different perspective. I do care because I feel like the gender bending, stage persona, obsessive "I'm not a woman ...I'm not a man" "male female symbol" crap is exhausting and has completely overshadowed what a fabulous musician he is. He has sacrificed his musical legacy for one that in the opinion of most of the music public (at least those who even care) paints him as a petulant and rebellious drag queen rather than a timeless and well respected musician.

Consider the theme of Lovesexy and how important he said it was to him. How he stopped the Black Album and prepared this one instead. He had something to say... Lovesexy was a very personal statement and he truly missed an opportunity to reach people all because of that narcissistic over the top picture.

Another poster talks about how other musicians view him or did. I totally get that because although I am not a musician a listen like one. I was sold out for Prince after hearing 1999 and Little Red Corvette, Something in the Water and All the Critics... but others can't even see Prince or hear those great songs because of his appearance then and even now.

It just is what is... and Prince has said fuck em'... just like you did... and in the process sacrificed a portion of his legacy that he claims is far more important than anything

His music

He is a timeless musician but maybe he overemphasized that part of his persona to disarm a black audience ( whom he grew up with) that were already put off by his appearance. I refuse to believe he wasn't a target of taunts and called a sissy growing up, he stated as much to Tavis. We as Black folks have to admit that "the dozens" and homophobia is a part of our experience and black kids can be the most vicious. Maybe he saw freedom in the androgyny of white stars, a way to circumvent what he felt to be narrow ideas about "maleness" in his community. I always thought it was funny that Charlie Murphy complained that androgyny got you laid in the 80's, in the black community MJ, Prince and El Debarge made being pretty acceptable. But every trend has it's backlash and Prince's musical abilities and standing as one of our great talents will be casualties of this choice. He also baught into his own hype to some degree so theres an almost predictable approach to all of his projects since PR. We have no idea what an ego rush even pullin that shit off was for him. The obstacles were huge, and when he pulled it off the chances of anyone advising him on shit like Lovesexy were zip. In a lot of ways he beat the odds and i'm sure he believes he can repeat the feat with every project.