I have been a fan since before Purple Rain, and this thread is not to start any type of trouble, but I've really got to get this off my chest and process this. This is my perception of Prince based on interviews particularly in the 90's and 00's:

Just watching the interviews with Prince, and his comments, it was obvious to me that Prince had a lot of people giving him a lot of opinions about a lot of things.

And Prince was very, very impressionable: this should be obvious to everyone.

I have to say, it really bothered me when Prince would go on BET and make "veiled" yet clear comments directed at white people (along with a plethora of other ridiculous comments).

And I don't mind telling you that this put a very bad taste in my mouth and put me off of Princes music for large periods of time.

So, what do you think? Did you guys witness this as well? And by all means, if I'm wrong, please tell me, because I'd like to know the truth.

Any comments appreciated, and again no trouble, no disrespect, but I have to get this off my chest as a fan.

It would probably be more useful to indicate some specific scenarios and/or quotes than just an open-ended question like this.

I mean, yeah, but probably with good cause. I think the only reason it wasn't apparent earlier was because he gave less interviews.

LoveGalore said:

It would probably be more useful to indicate some specific scenarios and/or quotes than just an open-ended question like this.

Certainly. One thing that sticks in my mind is an BET interview from the 90's where he makes comments such as "they don't see us in pleasantville" (Yeah Prince? Where do you think all your MONEY came from??), and referring to opinions of people of "the lighter persuasion" (that's a quote. Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean). Just stupid stuff like this.

jaawwnn said:

I mean, yeah, but probably with good cause. I think the only reason it wasn't apparent earlier was because he gave less interviews.

No, it wasn't with good cause, it's hypocritical. When I went to see Prince in 1999, the audience was mostly white. Therefore I don't care for the attitude. Bite, Hand, Feed.

mydrawers said:

jaawwnn said:

I mean, yeah, but probably with good cause. I think the only reason it wasn't apparent earlier was because he gave less interviews.

No, it wasn't with good cause, it's hypocritical. When I went to see Prince in 1999, the audience was mostly white. Therefore I don't care for the attitude. Bite, Hand, Feed.

ehhhhhh.... I hope you gave him a good talking to?

I'd be of the opinion that any African American who was alive in 20th century USA would have good cause to have an attitude towards white people. I mean, he still let you in didn't he? Or do you think you should have got to dictate that decision for him as well?

mydrawers said:

Just watching the interviews with Prince, and his comments, it was obvious to me that Prince had a lot of people giving him a lot of opinions about a lot of things.

mydrawers said:

LoveGalore said:

It would probably be more useful to indicate some specific scenarios and/or quotes than just an open-ended question like this.

Certainly. One thing that sticks in my mind is an BET interview from the 90's where he makes comments such as "they don't see us in pleasantville" (Yeah Prince? Where do you think all your MONEY came from??), and referring to opinions of people of "the lighter persuasion" (that's a quote. Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean). Just stupid stuff like this.

That interview in particular was interesting because it was for the promo of the New Power Soul Festival and he was saying a lot of hilarious shit. Prince pretty much owed his entire success to Pleasantville (even premiering his disastrous UTCM movie there), so hey. I dunno. He did a lot of angry interviews at the time because he likely wasn't nearly as happy as he'd lead people to believe.

.

I suppose 2 failed pregnancies and an imminent divorce plus having to finally figure out your career without handlers and a monolith backing you will do that to a man who once fired his manager for not getting him a space heater for his studio.

Did Prince have an "attitude" towards white people in the 90's/00's?

Are you serious??! Because a black man has a historical perspective that does not paint white people in a flattering light he has an "ATTITUDE"??! I give you credit for having the nerve to even ask that question. I'm suprised you didn't describe him as uppity.

If you can't see how entitled and selfish your question sounds there is nothing I can type to change your mind. I'm proud Prince was man enough to speak his concerns. So many others just keep silent to be people pleasers and keep the love,accolades, and money rolling in...he wasn't the one for the bullshit.

BalladofPeterParker said:

Did Prince have an "attitude" towards white people in the 90's/00's?

Are you serious??! Because a black man has a historical perspective that does not paint white people in a flattering light he has an "ATTITUDE"??! I give you credit for having the nerve to even ask that question. I'm suprised you didn't describe him as uppity.

If you can't see how entitled and selfish your question sounds there is nothing I can type to change your mind. I'm proud Prince was man enough to speak his concerns. So many others just keep silent to be people pleasers and keep the love,accolades, and money rolling in...he wasn't the one for the bullshit.

His quote intimitating the white man is "the hand that feeds" Prince is far more incendiary. Please don't let that one get lost in this flurry of douchebaggery.

[Edited 12/18/19 11:52am]

The answer is no. Did he like bad people or people who undermined his authority as an elite artist or a black man; no. Prince was an active fighter and that's what makes him even more bad ass.

jaawwnn said:

mydrawers said:

No, it wasn't with good cause, it's hypocritical. When I went to see Prince in 1999, the audience was mostly white. Therefore I don't care for the attitude. Bite, Hand, Feed.

ehhhhhh.... I hope you gave him a good talking to?

I'd be of the opinion that any African American who was alive in 20th century USA would have good cause to have an attitude towards white people. I mean, he still let you in didn't he? Or do you think you should have got to dictate that decision for him as well?

It's hypocritical because of his demographics. But you know that. I don't agree with your first sentence either. But you're entitled to your opinion.

WhisperingDandelions said:

BalladofPeterParker said:

Are you serious??! Because a black man has a historical perspective that does not paint white people in a flattering light he has an "ATTITUDE"??! I give you credit for having the nerve to even ask that question. I'm suprised you didn't describe him as uppity.

If you can't see how entitled and selfish your question sounds there is nothing I can type to change your mind. I'm proud Prince was man enough to speak his concerns. So many others just keep silent to be people pleasers and keep the love,accolades, and money rolling in...he wasn't the one for the bullshit.

His quote intimitating the white man is "the hand that feeds" Prince is far more incendiary. Please don't let that one get lost in this flurry of douchebaggery.

[Edited 12/18/19 11:52am]

Tell me what is inaccurate about this statement.

I do remember he said something really weird in that Tavis Smiley interview when he had the symbol name.

He said white people reacted confusedly about his name, but black people would always just take him to be Prince. He implied that this was some kind of reflection that black people accepted him more.

I thought this was pretty bizarre, because in other interviews, he specifically said that if people respected him they wouldn't call him Prince anymore. But here he twisted the point around to disparage white people.

noobman said:

I do remember he said something really weird in that Tavis Smiley interview when he had the symbol name.

He said white people reacted confusedly about his name, but black people would always just take him to be Prince. He implied that this was some kind of reflection that black people accepted him more.

I thought this was pretty bizarre, because in other interviews, he specifically said that if people respected him they wouldn't call him Prince anymore. But here he twisted the point around to disparage white people.

This type of observation by Prince actually doesn't bother me at all.

mydrawers said:

noobman said:

I do remember he said something really weird in that Tavis Smiley interview when he had the symbol name.

He said white people reacted confusedly about his name, but black people would always just take him to be Prince. He implied that this was some kind of reflection that black people accepted him more.

I thought this was pretty bizarre, because in other interviews, he specifically said that if people respected him they wouldn't call him Prince anymore. But here he twisted the point around to disparage white people.

This type of observation by Prince actually doesn't bother me at all.

The observation itself is not the issue.

The problem is on the one hand he expected those who respected him not to call him Prince... but then faults them for not calling him Prince when they're doing just what he wanted. Contradictory.

[Edited 12/18/19 13:28pm]

EmmaMcG said:

I'm wearing a lot of make-up in my avatar pic but ordinarily speaking, I'm what can only be described as "white as fuck". I met Prince in 2011. Spoke to him for all of about 1 minute. Which isn't a very long time but for what it's worth, at no point during that minute did he come across as having an attitude towards me. Quite the opposite in fact. He was really nice. Especially given that at the time I wasn't a fan and could probably only name a handful of his songs. And I'm sure he picked up on that. But even so, he was quite friendly. So no, I don't think he had an attitude towards white people. As for comments he made in interviews, all I'll say is that Prince was one of those people who was "always on". So I wouldn't take anything he said in interviews seriously.

All due respect, but he'd sooner be thinking about having sex with you than discussing colonization with you. Of course, the colonization talk might come after the fucking, but there was an order to things in Prince World.

Honestly guys, I have NO idea why this bothers me so much, but it does. I guess I was hoping everyone would say "Nah, you're trippin'!" since I don't always trust my own judgement. I've been known to be "way off" on things, and actually remember things wrong when I go back and watch them!

That said, the original issue aside, Prince has had some *VERY* cringeworthy interview moments, I'm sure this is something everyone can agree on, yes??

mydrawers said:

WhisperingDandelions said:

His quote intimitating the white man is "the hand that feeds" Prince is far more incendiary. Please don't let that one get lost in this flurry of douchebaggery.

[Edited 12/18/19 11:52am]

Tell me what is inaccurate about this statement.

OK I'll happily tell you what's inaccurate. For you to strongly infer that white people "feed" Prince is a weak minded attempt to infantilize an obviously intelligent, supremely gifted, black man. You say you went to one concert ( in Idaho I'll bet) and saw an all white audience so you think that only white people partake in the entire Prince phenomenon. Man... that is beyond idiotic. If it bothers you that Prince had a strong following in the black community that's your problem.

Now let's get to the meat of the sandwich...Your saying white people fed Prince. Just curious but how many white people do you think he employed? It's a large number in case your curious. What the fuck does he owe you? He is a wonderful example of hard work + supreme talent = legendary performance. He earned every mother fucking thing he received financially. Nobody, including your self absorbed pasty ass gave him anything.

I'm done.