From the first time I heard Born 2 Die, somehow Dear Mr Man popped up in my mind, as they have that same kind of spoken verse, and Prince using the same kind of voice.

So looking them both up, online and in my collection, another funny titbit popped up; besides the simularitites I hear in them, they both have a Dr. Cornel West link; he is sampled on Dear Mr Man and he is the instigator of Born 2 Die, as Prince took up West's words when he said in an interview, ‘I love my brother Prince, but he’s no Curtis Mayfield.’ So Prince gave Born 2 Die a Mayfield-sound.

But somehow I think he also had Dear Mr Man in his head when he wrote Born 2 Die.

Do you also hear the same vocal delivery on the verses or was I dreamin' when I heard it?

That's exactly the song that first came into my mind when I first heard Born 2 Die, along with other bits and pieces here and there from other tracks, which I haven't been able to place just yet...

purplepolitician said:

First song that came to mind upon hearing Born . Not sure about Cornel West tho. Don't recall a sample in Mr Man .

It wasn't a sample but I'd presume the OP is referring to this;

Never Forget: A Journey O... | Discogs