I don't know if this applies, but I thought it would be an interesting topic to explore. I also haven't seen this discussed on the board, unless I missed it.

With the release on the music club of "Xpectation," where every song title begins with the letter "X," I've been wondering if it's an indication of Prince's growing black pride.

In the beginning of Prince's career, he seemed reluctant to identify his ethnicity, claiming he wanted his music to stand on its own and not be heard through the filter of race. However, with the release of "The Rainbow Children," Prince seems to have embraced more of an interest in identify as black. He introduces the idea of naming conventions during slavery, and slavery reparations. (I think there are more, I just can't think of them off the top of my head right now.) Actually, "Rainbow Children" isn't even the first time, is it? It started much earlier, maybe even with "Diamonds and Pearls" and his use of Tony M as a rapper.

Prince has begun to explore more of a jazz sound, and his songs have become increasingly religious. Although Marcus Garvey lead the black nationalist movement in the 1920s, it was Malcolm X who grounded the goals of black pride and separatist in religion. And then I thought -- oh, the use of the letter "X" on Prince's new album might be an hommage to specifically Malcolm X and generally to black pride.

It seems that during the 1990s, black attitudes and beliefs (a gross generalization, but go with me here for a minute) seemed to indicate that black nationalism was less a political philosophy than a cultural attitude. Contemorary rap and hip-hop doesn't exactly embrace African culture, but it does emphasize themes of black pride. The presence of Malcolm X has been used to suggest how broadly black nationalism has been disseminated throughout black culture, with Malcolm X posters and X insignias on caps and sweaters, and perhaps now on Prince's new album.

Or is every song title beginning with "X" just the catchy, different way Prince wanted to title this album? What are your thoughts?

gnations said:[quote]
Or is every song title beginning with "X" just the catchy, different way Prince wanted to title this album?quote]


I'll go with this.

It's "Princebonics"...if you apply anything else, you may be reaching...

Tina (~!~)

Just a gimmick

gnations said:

I think that's what it is.

However there are other indications that Prince has been increasingly more comfortable expressing himself as a black man.

Some of his early examples of cultural chauvanism (signifyin on "white people clap on the four," "wrecka stow" etc.) are rooted in nationalistic cultural practices honed in the black community.

In fact "Under the Cherry Moon" can be read on several levels where two black trickster/huslters (one of them was even named "Tricky") scheme and outsmart rich white elites who are too uptight. The hustler is a universal archetype, but when combined with racial and class signifiers as in UTCM ("wrecka stow," the musician, the rent is due cuzzn, etc.) there is that tone there.

Fast forward to "Gold Nigga" and tracks like "Black MF in the House," and "Super Hero," which is P's first stab at a track about reparations... by the time Prince offers money to help Spike Lee finish the movie "Malcolm X" it's clear that Prince is becoming more and more comfortable with this aspect of himself.

What we see now has been in the works for a long time.

He has also ditched the male/female role reversal, and androgenous styles.

NPGMCsucks said:

and THAT sucks. I loved that about his music and style and whatnot...

too be honest in the 80's He dabbled with things&I didn't take Him to serious with it until the "Black Album"&then from there He made His way back.I'd say the past 10 years He truly has been going back even more so.when He left Warners&then spoke out on things than I truly took Him serious with it.I think the Older He gets the More Respect He gets from within over time IMHO.

NPGMCsucks said:

Thank GOD 4 that!!!

NPGMCsucks said:

Huh? Maybe he's not as extreme, but he still wears high heeled shoes, make up, gets his hair did, and wears clothes/colors with a flair.

Prince is definitely coming into his own sense of ethnic pride, but The whole "X" things is CERTAINLY just a Prince play on spelling.

say huh?

NuPwrSoul said:

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Your post are always on point!!! You go boy