Prince recognized talent in others and wrangled it to the advantage of: his inspiration and/or his brand, as one would hope any remotely inclined person would.

Inartful use of the term "feminist", which is an ill-defined and grossly over-used term as it is.

A "feminist" is someone who "believes men and women should have equal rights and opportunites." Big Deal.

What he did was Not an example of feminism, just artistry and economics. NEXT.

StopIt said:

Prince recognized talent in others and wrangled it to the advantage of: his inspiration and/or his brand, as one would hope any remotely inclined person would.

Inartful use of the term "feminist", which is an ill-defined and grossly over-used term as it is.

A "feminist" is someone who "believes men and women should have equal rights and opportunites." Big Deal.

What he did was Not an example of feminism, just artistry and economics. NEXT.

I concur. Prince was not a "feminist"; however, I don't believe that his motivation for advancing women was about economics, at least not solely.

[Edited 2/24/17 17:10pm]

scififilmnerd said:

Latin said:

"Actress and singer Janelle Monae says she believes her "mentor" Prince was a "huge feminist"."

I'm unsure what to think.... Can someone who had a harem also have been a feminist?

[Edited 2/23/17 9:51am]

Kind of like all of his other contradictions. He certainly championed women to higher positions in music than almost all male superstars yet could still be so controlling of them and their image (though Janelle didn't seem to be in this mold). Similarly, he did treat some women as sex objects but also took a more passive role in some of his songs and was more the sex object himself.

Janelle has come so far. She always mentions Prince as her mentor when doing press for her films, both Oscar nominated.

purplepoppy said:

Janelle has come so far. She always mentions Prince as her mentor when doing press for her films, both Oscar nominated.

I her.

I really miss him . Janelle was so beautiful last night...

and yes for Moonlight winning best picture!!!

Guitarhero said:

Love this pic of them together

He's such a sweetheart.

cindymay said:

I really miss him . Janelle was so beautiful last night...

and yes for Moonlight winning best picture!!!

She was a vision in that dress! AND she was in the winning movie. Prince is smiling big.

Has anyone ever thought that P always liked women but due to insecurity and ego, he felt the need to mold them when he was younger. Could one change from a man obsessed with women to a man respecful of them? Plus, wasn't he controlling of both men and women?

Did anyone notice that the women he mentored later seemed to be more their own selves. Even Andy who was somewhat molded by Prince wrote much of her own lyrics. They dont seem to be in the model of Mayte, Susannah, Carmen or even Sheila E (who was talented but at times dressed almost exactly like Prince) . the women he admired in his later years were often British singers of African descent who had already recorded some music. (they were more Sheena Easton-like in terms of career status) . I don't know but I think i might be the only one who thinks that the women he worked with later in life (although younger than him and probably the target of flirtation from him) were a bit more independent and self sufficient than previous women he worked with (Jill, Rosie, Wendy, Lisa, Sheila were talented but only Wendy and Lisa really were allowed much imput. Plus, I don't think there is one women Pricne employed later in his life who wasn't talented [no Carmen Electras to be found.] and some were not even that pretty (Sorry, LIv.) and many were married. Liv, Shelby, the 3rd Eye Girl women were all married. (even when he rehired Elisa, she was married)

Could he have become a feminist when he stopped using his music as a way to pick up girls? I think he still dated some of his proteges but I think many of them he did not date. He seemed more of a mentor, employer and advocate of women musicians than a molder of them. Plus, didn't he produce music from Chaka Khan? You can't tell me he didn't think of her as an equal? I don't think he valued the women all in teh same way.

John Lennon was a sexist when he was younger (worse than Prince ever was in my opinion) but he became a feminist (at least where Yoko One was concerned.)

Did Prince believe women should have the same opportunitees in the industry than men yes? Was Prince at various times in his life over possessive and controlling in personal and professional relationships? Yes. Was he was physically forceful? No. Maybe, the women later in his life were stronger willed and unwilling to give in so easily for the sake of career advancement. Or maybe he was just a bit more professional. He never seemed to tell Tamar what to wear (as far as I could tell) like he did Mayte. However, we have no confirmation they dated.

StopIt said:

Prince recognized talent in others and wrangled it to the advantage of: his inspiration and/or his brand, as one would hope any remotely inclined person would.

Inartful use of the term "feminist", which is an ill-defined and grossly over-used term as it is.

A "feminist" is someone who "believes men and women should have equal rights and opportunites." Big Deal.

What he did was Not an example of feminism, just artistry and economics. NEXT.

[Edited 2/27/17 15:08pm]

[Edited 2/27/17 15:39pm]

purplepoppy said:

purplerabbithole said:

Has anyone ever thought that P always liked women but due to insecurity and ego, he felt the need to mold them when he was younger. Could one change from a man obsessed with women to a man respecful of them? Plus, wasn't he controlling of both men and women?

Did anyone notice that the women he mentored later seemed to be more their own selves. Even Andy who was somewhat molded by Prince wrote much of her own lyrics. They dont seem to be in the model of Mayte, Susannah, Carmen or even Sheila E (who was talented but at times dressed almost exactly like Prince) . the women he admired in his later years were often British singers of African descent who had already recorded some music. (they were more Sheena Easton-like in terms of career status) . I don't know but I think i might be the only one who thinks that the women he worked with later in life (although younger than him and probably the target of flirtation from him) were a bit more independent and self sufficient than previous women he worked with (Jill, Rosie, Wendy, Lisa, Sheila were talented but only Wendy and Lisa really were allowed much imput. Plus, I don't think there is one women Pricne employed later in his life who wasn't talented [no Carmen Electras to be found.] and some were not even that pretty (Sorry, LIv.) and many were married. Liv, Shelby, the 3rd Eye Girl women were all married. (even when he rehired Elisa, she was married)

Could he have become a feminist when he stopped using his music as a way to pick up girls? I think he still dated some of his proteges but I think many of them he did not date. He seemed more of a mentor, employer and advocate of women musicians than a molder of them. Plus, didn't he produce music from Chaka Khan? You can't tell me he didn't think of her as an equal? I don't think he valued the women all in teh same way.

John Lennon was a sexist when he was younger (worse than Prince ever was in my opinion) but he became a feminist (at least where Yoko One was concerned.)

Did Prince believe women should have the same opportunitees in the industry than men yes? Was Prince at various times in his life over possessive and controlling in personal and professional relationships? Yes. Was he was physically forceful? No. Maybe, the women later in his life were stronger willed and unwilling to give in so easily for the sake of career advancement. Or maybe he was just a bit more professional. He never seemed to tell Tamar what to wear (as far as I could tell) like he did Mayte. However, we have no confirmation they dated.

StopIt said:

Prince recognized talent in others and wrangled it to the advantage of: his inspiration and/or his brand, as one would hope any remotely inclined person would.

Inartful use of the term "feminist", which is an ill-defined and grossly over-used term as it is.

A "feminist" is someone who "believes men and women should have equal rights and opportunites." Big Deal.

What he did was Not an example of feminism, just artistry and economics. NEXT.

[Edited 2/27/17 15:08pm]

[Edited 2/27/17 15:39pm]

I feel the same. In addition, he also produced Monie Love's music, that was in the 90s and she had also recorded some material without P's input.

Latin said:

Check out this article published by the Irish Independent entitled "Mentor Prince a 'champion for women' - singer Janelle Monae". "Actress and singer Janelle Monae says she believes her "mentor" Prince was a "huge feminist"." Here it is: http://m.independent.ie/s...42094.html

There seems to have been a whole myriad of female musical talent that Prince enjoyed nurturing over his lifetime. Perhaps he simply realized how much harder it is for women to get a break (not just in the music industry but in life generally), and liked to do his bit to redress the balance a little.

I think it’s greatly to Prince’s credit that, whenever he has recognized a woman’s talent, and/or taken a shine to her personality, he really seems to have enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge & experience, and given generously of his time, resources, advice & help. IMHO I don’t believe his motivation was any more complicated or cynical than that.

Even just over the past few years he has encouraged his own small constellation of muses. I’d never even heard of Kandace Springs or Natalya until recently, which makes me wonder how many other unknown gifted women Prince has helped to develop over the years without receiving any credit or recognition for it.

For that reason I think it’s good of Janelle to come out and proclaim Prince a ‘champion for women’. She knew him personally and benefitted from his guidance and support, so, if she hails him a ‘huge feminist’, I am more than happy to take her word for it.

I also think from a fan’s perspective, it’s really nice to see Janelle, Shelby, Liv, Andy, and Judith etc. all doing their thing musically. I perceive them to be a part of his legacy, and I like to think of Prince as being suitably pleased and proud of them all. Thanks to Prince's love, grace and generosity, through them we may all continue to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

GrayDorian said:

Latin said:

Check out this article published by the Irish Independent entitled "Mentor Prince a 'champion for women' - singer Janelle Monae". "Actress and singer Janelle Monae says she believes her "mentor" Prince was a "huge feminist"." Here it is: http://m.independent.ie/s...42094.html

There seems to have been a whole myriad of female musical talent that Prince enjoyed nurturing over his lifetime. Perhaps he simply realized how much harder it is for women to get a break (not just in the music industry but in life generally), and liked to do his bit to redress the balance a little.

I think it’s greatly to Prince’s credit that, whenever he has recognized a woman’s talent, and/or taken a shine to her personality, he really seems to have enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge & experience, and given generously of his time, resources, advice & help. IMHO I don’t believe his motivation was any more complicated or cynical than that.

Even just over the past few years he has encouraged his own small constellation of muses. I’d never even heard of Kandace Springs or Natalya until recently, which makes me wonder how many other unknown gifted women Prince has helped to develop over the years without receiving any credit or recognition for it.

For that reason I think it’s good of Janelle to come out and proclaim Prince a ‘champion for women’. She knew him personally and benefitted from his guidance and support, so, if she hails him a ‘huge feminist’, I am more than happy to take her word for it.

I also think from a fan’s perspective, it’s really nice to see Janelle, Shelby, Liv, Andy, and Judith etc. all doing their thing musically. I perceive them to be a part of his legacy, and I like to think of Prince as being suitably pleased and proud of them all. Thanks to Prince's love, grace and generosity, through them we may all continue to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Very well said.

GrayDorian said:

Latin said:

Check out this article published by the Irish Independent entitled "Mentor Prince a 'champion for women' - singer Janelle Monae". "Actress and singer Janelle Monae says she believes her "mentor" Prince was a "huge feminist"." Here it is: http://m.independent.ie/s...42094.html

There seems to have been a whole myriad of female musical talent that Prince enjoyed nurturing over his lifetime. Perhaps he simply realized how much harder it is for women to get a break (not just in the music industry but in life generally), and liked to do his bit to redress the balance a little.

I think it’s greatly to Prince’s credit that, whenever he has recognized a woman’s talent, and/or taken a shine to her personality, he really seems to have enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge & experience, and given generously of his time, resources, advice & help. IMHO I don’t believe his motivation was any more complicated or cynical than that.

Even just over the past few years he has encouraged his own small constellation of muses. I’d never even heard of Kandace Springs or Natalya until recently, which makes me wonder how many other unknown gifted women Prince has helped to develop over the years without receiving any credit or recognition for it.

For that reason I think it’s good of Janelle to come out and proclaim Prince a ‘champion for women’. She knew him personally and benefitted from his guidance and support, so, if she hails him a ‘huge feminist’, I am more than happy to take her word for it.

I also think from a fan’s perspective, it’s really nice to see Janelle, Shelby, Liv, Andy, and Judith etc. all doing their thing musically. I perceive them to be a part of his legacy, and I like to think of Prince as being suitably pleased and proud of them all. Thanks to Prince's love, grace and generosity, through them we may all continue to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

+1