Diana80 said:

SoulAlive said:

Prince was/is a huge fan of Madonna.But it makes sense that they didn't work together too often.They both have strong egos and personalities,which could have resulted in alot of ugly drama.Prince likes women that he can control and I don't think Madonna is that kind of woman.

But that's my point - why is it Prince is/was always eager to work with people with limited talent, yet when someone with amazing talent like MJ wanted to work with him, he turned him down? Even if he didn't like "Bad", he could have done something else with him.

It comes off as Prince being scared of competition or someone out-doing him.

Well, if you look at the history of his female protegees--most of them have been limited in talent and/or just starting out on their own and hadn't found their own "musical feet" so to speak... The one real exception that I can see IMO was Sheila E. None of these women, with the exception of Sheila (as a musician), would ever equal him talent-wise. Seems like he might have had a similar (although not the same) vibe going on with men that he worked with... But, then again, for direct competition, all you have to do is look at what happened with The Time...

coltrane3 said:

I just saw UTCM last night on cable. Am I the only one who likes it better than PR? I mean, you can look at both as absolutely ridiculous, but for some reason I prefer UTCM more. I like the attempt to be something more, love the black and white, love Jerome as a supporting character, and prince seems so much more relaxed and a better actor than in PR (not that that's saying much). It's more grand, funnier. I still love PR, of course.

no there are others,

2 me they just 2 very different types of movies

I would see PR especially as rediculous, to a degree it was real life made into a movie

Morris Day & Jerome worked, Christopher & Tricky don't

2 me Princes acting was much better in PR, sometimes non speaking portays better emotion than speaking, the Kids acting when it was at home with the family or the after suicide attempt scene was seriously emotional, he dressing room scenes were very good

Diana80 said:

SoulAlive said:

Prince was/is a huge fan of Madonna.But it makes sense that they didn't work together too often.They both have strong egos and personalities,which could have resulted in alot of ugly drama.Prince likes women that he can control and I don't think Madonna is that kind of woman.

But that's my point - why is it Prince is/was always eager to work with people with limited talent, yet when someone with amazing talent like MJ wanted to work with him, he turned him down? Even if he didn't like "Bad", he could have done something else with him.

It comes off as Prince being scared of competition or someone out-doing him.

2 do a song with someone like MJ or Miles Davis is one thing, but I dont think I would like too much collaboration with huge stars

Madonna & Prince on stage at certain points in their career would have been hot

With MJ, it was more of the comparison/competition. Prince has always worked with people with talent.

in 1983 when he was on stage with James Brown & MJ, as much as I loved Princes expression, MJs experience showed and showed up Prince, u could tell Prince was nervous, MJ has been on stage by that time since age 8, that was his life Prince had been out there at that point 4 barely 5 yrs

OldFriends4Sale said:

Diana80 said:

But that's my point - why is it Prince is/was always eager to work with people with limited talent, yet when someone with amazing talent like MJ wanted to work with him, he turned him down? Even if he didn't like "Bad", he could have done something else with him.

It comes off as Prince being scared of competition or someone out-doing him.

2 do a song with someone like MJ or Miles Davis is one thing, but I dont think I would like too much collaboration with huge stars

Madonna & Prince on stage at certain points in their career would have been hot

With MJ, it was more of the comparison/competition. Prince has always worked with people with talent.

in 1983 when he was on stage with James Brown & MJ, as much as I loved Princes expression, MJs experience showed and showed up Prince, u could tell Prince was nervous, MJ has been on stage by that time since age 8, that was his life Prince had been out there at that point 4 barely 5 yrs

Prince's real testing point in the media was when he appeared on American Bandstand when he froze up and decided that would never happen again...

purplethunder3121 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

2 do a song with someone like MJ or Miles Davis is one thing, but I dont think I would like too much collaboration with huge stars

Madonna & Prince on stage at certain points in their career would have been hot

With MJ, it was more of the comparison/competition. Prince has always worked with people with talent.

in 1983 when he was on stage with James Brown & MJ, as much as I loved Princes expression, MJs experience showed and showed up Prince, u could tell Prince was nervous, MJ has been on stage by that time since age 8, that was his life Prince had been out there at that point 4 barely 5 yrs

Prince's real testing point in the media was when he appeared on American Bandstand when he froze up and decided that would never happen again...

u mean the infamous one where they planned 2 not talk or appear the didnt care?

now the 1984 AMA where he threw the award into Big Chicks arms and ran back 2 his seat really showed his fright lol

OldFriends4Sale said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Prince's real testing point in the media was when he appeared on American Bandstand when he froze up and decided that would never happen again...

u mean the infamous one where they planned 2 not talk or appear the didnt care?

now the 1984 AMA where he threw the award into Big Chicks arms and ran back 2 his seat really showed his fright lol

Don't know how I missed this one, but a good reason you can see a sort of sloppiness from a certain point in the movie to the end

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Don't know how I missed this one, but a good reason you can see a sort of sloppiness from a certain point in the movie to the end

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

Wow, so he basically handled it the way he has reportedly makes his music. As in, I often heard and/or read that Prince finishes alot of his songs in one take. Anyway, that speaks volumes to why UTCM comes off a lesser quality film (imo) than PR. And if that is truly the case (Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take) than he probably shot GB in that same manner.

mimi02 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Don't know how I missed this one, but a good reason you can see a sort of sloppiness from a certain point in the movie to the end

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

Wow, so he basically handled it the way he has reportedly makes his music. As in, I often heard and/or read that Prince finishes alot of his songs in one take. Anyway, that speaks volumes to why UTCM comes off a lesser quality film (imo) than PR. And if that is truly the case (Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take) than he probably shot GB in that same manner.

I agree, 1725Topp said the same about Prince making movies the way he did music, actually Prince said the same in a 1985 interview

I think GB was probably rushed even moreso, because that's how he started putting out a lot of his recently create music by 1988/89

UTCM had the benefit of at least the 1st half being done by Mary L, which helped most of us watch it through to the end

MOJO: What's the difference between making a hot movie and making a hot album?

PRINCE: There is no difference. There have been people who have tried to tell me contrary to that, but like you said before and like I said before, I strive for perfection, and sometimes I'm a little bull-headed in my ways. Hopefully, people understand that there's just a lot on my mind and I try to stay focused on one particular thing. And I try not to hurt nobody in the process. A movie is a little bit more complex, but to me it's just a larger version of an album. There are scenes and there are songs, and they all go together to make this painting, and...I'm the painter. Y'all is the paintees. (Mojo laughs.) Hopefully it's something that you can get into. Jerome Benton stars in this new film with me and he's on his way to becoming very, very big. I'm real proud of him. He takes direction well and he gives direction well and I expect a lot of big things from him.

purplethunder3121 said:

Diana80 said:

But that's my point - why is it Prince is/was always eager to work with people with limited talent, yet when someone with amazing talent like MJ wanted to work with him, he turned him down? Even if he didn't like "Bad", he could have done something else with him.

It comes off as Prince being scared of competition or someone out-doing him.

Well, if you look at the history of his female protegees--most of them have been limited in talent and/or just starting out on their own and hadn't found their own "musical feet" so to speak... The one real exception that I can see IMO was Sheila E. None of these women, with the exception of Sheila (as a musician), would ever equal him talent-wise. Seems like he might have had a similar (although not the same) vibe going on with men that he worked with... But, then again, for direct competition, all you have to do is look at what happened with The Time...

True, especially since all The Time was doing were "playing" Prince's music. He definitely was for someone "upstaging" him with his own material. Who would?

Was Rosie and Boni considered proteges or where they just members of his bands? Both female are/were very powerful singers who could easily trumped Prince's singing ability.

mimi02 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Well, if you look at the history of his female protegees--most of them have been limited in talent and/or just starting out on their own and hadn't found their own "musical feet" so to speak... The one real exception that I can see IMO was Sheila E. None of these women, with the exception of Sheila (as a musician), would ever equal him talent-wise. Seems like he might have had a similar (although not the same) vibe going on with men that he worked with... But, then again, for direct competition, all you have to do is look at what happened with The Time...

True, especially since all The Time was doing were "playing" Prince's music. He definitely was for someone "upstaging" him with his own material. Who would?

Was Rosie and Boni considered proteges or where they just members of his bands? Both female are/were very powerful singers who could easily trumped Prince's singing ability.

Boni came from Sheila's band for the Sheila E album, but before it got started good Sheila E & Boni were brought into his SOTT band, I wouldn't consider Rosie or Bonie proteges.

It never occured to me Prince would have an issue with someone singing better than he does

I always wondered if Prince's issues with competition would be different between his 'male lead' bands vs the female, maybe that's why he never had too many male protege bands/groups

purplethunder3121 said:

Diana80 said:

But that's my point - why is it Prince is/was always eager to work with people with limited talent, yet when someone with amazing talent like MJ wanted to work with him, he turned him down? Even if he didn't like "Bad", he could have done something else with him.

It comes off as Prince being scared of competition or someone out-doing him.

Well, if you look at the history of his female protegees--most of them have been limited in talent and/or just starting out on their own and hadn't found their own "musical feet" so to speak... The one real exception that I can see IMO was Sheila E. None of these women, with the exception of Sheila (as a musician), would ever equal him talent-wise. Seems like he might have had a similar (although not the same) vibe going on with men that he worked with... But, then again, for direct competition, all you have to do is look at what happened with The Time...

I would say the 1980's proteges (especially Sheila E, Vanity 6, (Susannah ie the Family) were more along the lines of 'hadn't found their own "musical feet" so to speak'

I mean even Prince recognizes that everyone isn't meant to be the 'frontman'

Why did Morris say such negative things about you after he left the band?

...

Jesse [Johnson, former guitarist for the Time] is the only one who went away who told what happened, what really went down with the band. He said there was friction, because he was in a situation that didn't quite suit him. Jesse wanted to be in front all the time. And I just don't think God puts everybody in that particular bag. And sometimes I was blunt enough to say that to people: "I don't think you should be in the frontman. I think Morris should."

Personally I understand his comparisons with Morris Day & Jesse in leading the Time, but maybe there was a combination of 'childhood' loyalties, Morris resembling Prince more closely than Jesse and Prince insecurities with Jesse who also can play guitar

I personally don't think Sheila E would have been to the level she got if it wasn't for Prince ie 1983-1986/87-89 as a frontman, playing an instrument is one thing, but leading a band is another

Morris had it, even Vanity had it (I would have loved to see V6 have their own band and continued under Prince's vision) Brenda was/is a good singer, all 3 exemplified a female expression of Prince, Vanity had the charisma and drive

the Family was all talent: 3 ex Time members Jellybean(drums/guitar) Jerome St Paul(singer writer keyboard & guitar) Susannah (trained vocalist, keyboards) Eric (sax, flute, violin, bass)

I wish we had a longer period with them, Mico joined the live set on guitar, and Wally Safford & Gregory Brooks were to be the other 2 dancers with Jerome(Jerome was to be the standout)

*St. Paul, from Richfield, Minnesota, is a member of the Twin Cities' first family of jazz. His mother is a distinguished jazz singer and pianist, and his late father was an organist. His siblings, bassist Billy, singer Patty, and pianist Ricky, have been recipients of Minnesota Music Awards for being best on their respective instruments.

OldFriends4Sale said: I just watched most of the movie again, u should prop check it out. There are blacks colored mulattoes throught the movie.

*

I stand royally corrected. Now that you show them to me, I remember them all. So, I don't know how, over the years, I have reduced the number to such a minimal number. And with the number you show, that leads to just one final question for me. Was the woman in the "horror revelation" scene casts because she was the best actor for the part or was her race any factor whatsoever? Of course, we will never have the answer to this, and it is probably an unfair or unanswerable question. However, considering James Baldwin's statement regarding America's fascination with the African American male penis, “it's color is its size”, the question that remains regarding the casting of the African American women for the "horror revelation" scene is: "Should someone involved in the process of choosing that character for that role have considered that some people would wonder what it means that Christopher has a white love interest but the face of the 'horror revelation' scene is a black woman?" I'm asking: "Should that not have been a consideration when casting that role?" While I think it should have been, I'd like to hear from someone with a different ideology on race in America why is should not have been. Your reminding me that there are more people of color in the film than I obviously remember means that on this issue I could be missing something.

[Edited 10/15/12 14:11pm]

1725topp said:

OldFriends4Sale said: I just watched most of the movie again, u should prop check it out. There are blacks colored mulattoes throught the movie.

*

I stand royally corrected. Now that you show them to me, I remember them all. So, I don't know how, over the years, I have reduced the number to such a minimal number. And with the number you show, that leads to just one final question for me. Was the woman in the "horror revelation" scene casts because she was the best actor for the part or was her race any factor whatsoever? Of course, we will never have the answer to this, and it is probably an unfair or unanswerable question. However, considering James Baldwin's statement regarding America's fascination with the African American male penis, “it's color is its size”, the question that remains regarding the casting of the African American women for the "horror revelation" scene is: "Should someone involved in the process of choosing that character for that role have considered that some people would wonder what it means that Christopher has a white love interest but the face of the 'horror revelation' scene is a black woman?" I'm asking: "Should that not have been a consideration when casting that role?" While I think it should have been, I'd like to hear from someone with a different ideology on race in America why is should not have been. Your reminding me that there are more people of color in the film than I obviously remember means that on this issue I could be missing something.

[Edited 10/15/12 14:11pm]

I intended on watching that scene after I read your post.

Funny I actually skipped over that scene and a few right before and after, because I realized how messing the direction became. It was sinfully clear that Prince was in the directors chair.

I'll watch it later. But as I found out, those sections 'Just like u said Prince does some of his music' was done in 1 take, wasn't fleshed out probably not thought out or given a 2nd thought by Prince

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

OldFriends4Sale said:

I intended on watching that scene after I read your post.

Funny I actually skipped over that scene and a few right before and after, because I realized how messing the direction became. It was sinfully clear that Prince was in the directors chair.

I'll watch it later. But as I found out, those sections 'Just like u said Prince does some of his music' was done in 1 take, wasn't fleshed out probably not thought out or given a 2nd thought by Prince

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

Knowing how rushed the filming was makes it clear that neither Prince nor anyone else was making a conscious decision about whom to cast in the "horror revelation" scene, but does the casting, itself, and Prince's possible not considering how the imaging would display or affect African Americans in a negative light still speak to a level or lack of cultural consciousness? For instance, Andre 3000 is cast in a shaving razor commercial with two white males, one American and one European. They are paired with three women. Now, the mere fact that the commercial includes three very famous males of three different cultural backgrounds means that the company is trying to appeal to a wide array of customers. That's good business. However, the women are white with a similar figure and hair style. Now, I'm willing to accept that Andre didn't even think about it, but shouldn't a person, even an artist, be conscious of the images that they perpetuate? Essentially, the commercial is saying, “Use our razor and get the pretty girls.” Should not Andre have been culturally conscious enough to question why there isn’t a black girl in the commercial if there is a black guy? Are black girls not pretty? Are black girls not worth the same effort as white girls? As an artist, I've been in many settings where there were mostly whites, and I felt an obligation to question what was the process not to include more African Americans. My questioning was rooted in an understanding that art projects images about people, and I have a responsibility to ensure that art tells the truth and that it is not used to damage people by perpetuating stereotypes. So, even while the filming of UTCM was rushed, does a lack of consideration about the casting choice’s cultural impact not speak to Prince's level of cultural/racial consciousness? And this question becomes important because today many fans on this cite have expressed confusion and anger over Prince's perceived born again blackness. So, tracking this decision and others helps us to track Prince's changing ideology regarding cultural consciousness as well as analyze whether or not artists, especially African American artists, should have some level of cultural sensitivity or consciousness regarding how the art with which they are involved portrays African Americas.

1725topp said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I intended on watching that scene after I read your post.

Funny I actually skipped over that scene and a few right before and after, because I realized how messing the direction became. It was sinfully clear that Prince was in the directors chair.

I'll watch it later. But as I found out, those sections 'Just like u said Prince does some of his music' was done in 1 take, wasn't fleshed out probably not thought out or given a 2nd thought by Prince

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

So what'll the movie be like? Your guess is as good as ours or anyone else's at this point. But consider another hot report from one crew member. In order to complete the film on time after he took over from Lambert, Prince shot the remaining scenes in one take.

Knowing how rushed the filming was makes it clear that neither Prince nor anyone else was making a conscious decision about whom to cast in the "horror revelation" scene, but does the casting, itself, and Prince's possible not considering how the imaging would display or affect African Americans in a negative light still speak to a level or lack of cultural consciousness? For instance, Andre 3000 is cast in a shaving razor commercial with two white males, one American and one European. They are paired with three women. Now, the mere fact that the commercial includes three very famous males of three different cultural backgrounds means that the company is trying to appeal to a wide array of customers. That's good business. However, the women are white with a similar figure and hair style. Now, I'm willing to accept that Andre didn't even think about it, but shouldn't a person, even an artist, be conscious of the images that they perpetuate? Essentially, the commercial is saying, “Use our razor and get the pretty girls.” Should not Andre have been culturally conscious enough to question why there isn’t a black girl in the commercial if there is a black guy? Are black girls not pretty? Are black girls not worth the same effort as white girls? As an artist, I've been in many settings where there were mostly whites, and I felt an obligation to question what was the process not to include more African Americans. My questioning was rooted in an understanding that art projects images about people, and I have a responsibility to ensure that art tells the truth and that it is not used to damage people by perpetuating stereotypes. So, even while the filming of UTCM was rushed, does a lack of consideration about the casting choice’s cultural impact not speak to Prince's level of cultural/racial consciousness? And this question becomes important because today many fans on this cite have expressed confusion and anger over Prince's perceived born again blackness. So, tracking this decision and others helps us to track Prince's changing ideology regarding cultural consciousness as well as analyze whether or not artists, especially African American artists, should have some level of cultural sensitivity or consciousness regarding how the art with which they are involved portrays African Americas.

I don't think Prince was very culturally sensitive

a lot of his music includingly heard in the proteges music are quests and issues of interracial minglings questions of identity and class

I remember listening to 'You Gotta Shake Something' and he leads off a guitar solo with "This is for the white folks" I believe this was in Europe, and wheither just playing or not it, it just seems like at time the idea of a certain kind of music for black folk another for white folk... And it would seem that overall Prince should have known by then that people loved every design of his music, that this was the following he created

OldFriends4Sale said:

1725topp said:

Knowing how rushed the filming was makes it clear that neither Prince nor anyone else was making a conscious decision about whom to cast in the "horror revelation" scene, but does the casting, itself, and Prince's possible not considering how the imaging would display or affect African Americans in a negative light still speak to a level or lack of cultural consciousness? For instance, Andre 3000 is cast in a shaving razor commercial with two white males, one American and one European. They are paired with three women. Now, the mere fact that the commercial includes three very famous males of three different cultural backgrounds means that the company is trying to appeal to a wide array of customers. That's good business. However, the women are white with a similar figure and hair style. Now, I'm willing to accept that Andre didn't even think about it, but shouldn't a person, even an artist, be conscious of the images that they perpetuate? Essentially, the commercial is saying, “Use our razor and get the pretty girls.” Should not Andre have been culturally conscious enough to question why there isn’t a black girl in the commercial if there is a black guy? Are black girls not pretty? Are black girls not worth the same effort as white girls? As an artist, I've been in many settings where there were mostly whites, and I felt an obligation to question what was the process not to include more African Americans. My questioning was rooted in an understanding that art projects images about people, and I have a responsibility to ensure that art tells the truth and that it is not used to damage people by perpetuating stereotypes. So, even while the filming of UTCM was rushed, does a lack of consideration about the casting choice’s cultural impact not speak to Prince's level of cultural/racial consciousness? And this question becomes important because today many fans on this cite have expressed confusion and anger over Prince's perceived born again blackness. So, tracking this decision and others helps us to track Prince's changing ideology regarding cultural consciousness as well as analyze whether or not artists, especially African American artists, should have some level of cultural sensitivity or consciousness regarding how the art with which they are involved portrays African Americas.

I don't think Prince was very culturally sensitive

a lot of his music includingly heard in the proteges music are quests and issues of interracial minglings questions of identity and class

I remember listening to 'You Gotta Shake Something' and he leads off a guitar solo with "This is for the white folks" I believe this was in Europe, and wheither just playing or not it, it just seems like at time the idea of a certain kind of music for black folk another for white folk... And it would seem that overall Prince should have known by then that people loved every design of his music, that this was the following he created

I don't either.

To go back to the original question. I've noticed UTCM has been on Encore a lot here lately.

I think that how UTCM is described there can be used to answer the question.

"Prince rained on his own parade..."

mimi02 said:

To go back to the original question. I've noticed UTCM has been on Encore a lot here lately.

I think that how UTCM is described there can be used to answer the question.

"Prince rained on his own parade..."

wow, well yeah he did

Actually he was the only person in the parade

I've always thought that Madonna should have starred in Purple Rain

remember the lake scene? the sex scene? the falcon punch scene? the "Sex Shooter" scene (lingerine and bitchy attitude included)? can you picture Prince and Madonna in those scenes??

lol

OldFriends4Sale said:

mimi02 said:

To go back to the original question. I've noticed UTCM has been on Encore a lot here lately.

I think that how UTCM is described there can be used to answer the question.

"Prince rained on his own parade..."

wow, well yeah he did

Actually he was the only person in the parade

LOL

You comment reminds me of a character in Toni Morrison's book "Sula". Shadrack, I believe was his name. He invented a "holiday" which he named National Suicide Day. Once a year, he is the sole participant in a parade that travels through the center of the town. But, like Prince's Parade, others would join the procession.

It was a very good book.

Sorry for the randomness......

mimi02 said:

LOL

You comment reminds me of a character in Toni Morrison's book "Sula". Shadrack, I believe was his name. He invented a "holiday" which he named National Suicide Day. Once a year, he is the sole participant in a parade that travels through the center of the town. But, like Prince's Parade, others would join the procession.

It was a very good book.

Sorry for the randomness......

I love Sula; it was the first work I read by Morrison. Shadrack is a very solid comparison of a "Prince figure" who lives on the outskirts of town and creates his own mystical world, in the manner that Prince creates his New Breed, multicultural, Paisley Park world to escape or refute the real world.

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't think Prince was very culturally sensitive

a lot of his music includingly heard in the proteges music are quests and issues of interracial minglings questions of identity and class

I remember listening to 'You Gotta Shake Something' and he leads off a guitar solo with "This is for the white folks" I believe this was in Europe, and wheither just playing or not it, it just seems like at time the idea of a certain kind of music for black folk another for white folk... And it would seem that overall Prince should have known by then that people loved every design of his music, that this was the following he created

Of course, I don't have empirical numbers, but returning as far as Dirty Mind, and especially with the explosion of 1999 onto MTV and the Purple Rain success, Prince's following could be divided into three categories: those who love the entire realm or totality of his diverse or amagamated style, those who mostly love his soul/funk music, and those who mostly love his pop/rock music. With both Dirty Mind and, even, Purple Rain, some of the African American community complained that Prince was forgetting his soul/funk roots, which Prince and Cooper are clearly addressing in the excerpt of the article I posted earlier. However, since 1990 those who mostly like Prince's pop/rock style have complained about too much soul and funk music. So, I would think that Prince in that moment as in many moments was simply reacting to the reality of the polariztion around his music that as seemingly existed since Dirty Mind. And, I would think that this act is a bit less harmful, if harmful at all, as compared to creating imaging that negatively portrays a certain race.

1725topp said:

mimi02 said:

LOL

You comment reminds me of a character in Toni Morrison's book "Sula". Shadrack, I believe was his name. He invented a "holiday" which he named National Suicide Day. Once a year, he is the sole participant in a parade that travels through the center of the town. But, like Prince's Parade, others would join the procession.

It was a very good book.

Sorry for the randomness......

I love Sula; it was the first work I read by Morrison. Shadrack is a very solid comparison of a "Prince figure" who lives on the outskirts of town and creates his own mystical world, in the manner that Prince creates his New Breed, multicultural, Paisley Park world to escape or refute the real world.

NouveauDance said:

SoulAlive said:

UTCM was supposed to be set in the 1940s? I never knew that.

Yeah, they'd just invented the boombox back then, so it was pretty accurate.