Where do u want the shot? Ear, thigh, other? Just kidding. Willing and Able and Live 4 Love aren't bad at all

I actually laughed out loud

It's not so much the rapping itself that is an issue. On a technical performance level, Tony's rapping is fine because it is a solidly well paced and consistent delivery. I wouldn't call his style exceptional but it's nothing that would make me stare at the speaker with frozen eyes. Rather, Tony's rapping is more to do with the fact that his performance eclipses the overall song.

If you take a song like While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles, Clapton's contributions are obvious and enjoyable. But, at all times the song remains a Beatles song because the Clapton moment is confined to the moment. Tony M not only makes a crash entrance, it becomes his song. I didn't buy a Tony M record, I purchased a Prince record.

I have similar complaints with Rhianna and Beyonce on some of Coldplay's recent releases where the song seems to be written around the guest spot rather than fitting the guest into a song with parts that are substantially filled.

Junglehop said:

I actually like Tony M's rapping on 90s era NPG Prince albums! I know the drill, people slag the dated 90s production and think his raps are cheesy and ruined good songs, and they cringe at what they see as Prince's misguided attempt to give his music street cred, but I'd have to disagree! I'm biased because I became a true fan of Prince aged 17 in 1991 when the Diamonds And Pearls album came out. Living in Melbourne, Australia I was very fortunate to see Prince and the NPG tour that album in early 1992. I then promptly bought the Love Symbol album that same year as soon as it came out. Especially on the Diamonds And Pearls LP, I think Tony M's raps really add something to the feel of that album overall. His raps have humor and I actually enjoy his flow and rhymes, even if they are a little cheesy sometimes. I know he doesn't have any street cred (I listen to rap these days; Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Schoolly D, Biggie Smalls, 2Pac etc. so I'm not completely clueless!) - I understand Tony M is never gonna go down as a legend in the pantheon of great rap. What I enjoyed about him on the D&P album was that he added to the sense of unity to the NPG being a solid band. His interplay with other band members like Rosie Gaines and Prince himself was fun and playful. I think on often overlooked songs like 'Push' and 'Jughead' Tony really brings the party, his flow the perfect synthesis to the funk. Those songs are awesome played loud, they really come into their own as great jams. Also, Tony was never overused on those albums, he doesn't intrude on ballads and most songs... he's only really there on the jams. Also his final outro rap on 'Live 4 Love' really is a joy to listen too and works perfectly as a musical counterpoint to the bass line. Hell, I even like his rap on 'My Name Is Prince'... it's just damn fun, so shoot me! [Edited 3/17/16 15:50pm]

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I like Tony's contributions, too. Chuck D may go down as a legend in the pantheon of great rap, but I don't like his rap on "Undisputed." I think Tony was by far a better fit for Prince's music. He was a perfect addition for the time period.

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