I saw the thread asking about other multi-intrument performers and it gave me an idea for a similar question:

Are there any current pop stars who span genres to the degree Prince did, producing rock, funk, dance, jazz-inspired, hip-hop, rockabilly, experimental oddities, etc?

In other words, are there any other artists who consistenty produce songs that range was widely in style as Venus de Milo to Jughead? The Cross to Eye Wanna Melt With U?

The key word in this question is "consistently". Most artists go outside their comfort zone for a song or two, but their categolgues are generally pretty consistent. For example, MJ's dabbling with Dirty Diana doesn't mean he explored rock music the same way Prince did.

A few people have suggested to me that Fank Zappa similarly spanned genres, but I'm not familiar enough with his catalogue to have an opinion.

Similary, are there any other artists who routinely alternate between electronic music and an organic live band feel? Again, I'm not talking about one-off attempts to exerpiement with different sounds (I'm sure most artists give it a try). I mean has anyone done like Prince and relseaed within the same decade organic albums like Rainbow Children, Planet Earth and LotusfFlow3r, as well as electronic music such as the NPGMC albums, MPLSound and 20Ten?

lurker316 said:

For example, MJ's dabbling with Dirty Diana doesn't mean he explored rock music the same way Prince did.

Beat It

Dirty Diana

Come Together

Black or White

Give In To Me

Morphine

Scream

D.S.

Moses Sumney springs to mind - the dramatic sweep and scope of his album Grae reminded me of Prince (he also seems to have taken some fashion cues from him!):

https://www.youtube.com/w...0dLpnLBcKk

I've been enjoying Thundercat recently as well - kind of Bootsy Collins meets Frank Zappa with Yacht Rock flavourings .

https://www.youtube.com/w...mp;index=1

*Thundercat has developed his own sound from a wide array of sources rather than working in distinct styles, and Sumney is too early in his career to really compare to Prince though.

[Edited 7/12/22 18:03pm]

Serge Gainsbourg:

Started as a jazz crooner in the late 50s
Experimented with worldbeat and African rhythms in the early 60s (Gainsbourg Percussions)

Popularized the yé-yé sound later that decade

Recorded a rock album in the 70s (Rock Around the Bunker)

Released a trio of reggae albums with Sly & Robbie

Released two synth pop albums in the eighties. The first single from the second of these even crudely dabbled in hip hop ("You're Under Arrest").

He also did extensive soundtrack work throughout his career. One of my top ten favorite artists.

fen said:

Moses Sumney springs to mind - the dramatic sweep and scope of his album Grae reminded me of Prince (he also seems to have taken some fashion cues from him!):

https://www.youtube.com/w...0dLpnLBcKk

I've been enjoying Thundercat recently as well - kind of Bootsy Collins meets Frank Zappa with Yacht Rock flavourings .

https://www.youtube.com/w...mp;index=1

*Thundercat has developed his own sound from a wide array of sources rather than working in distinct styles, and Sumney is too early in his career to really compare to Prince though.

[Edited 7/12/22 18:03pm]

I've been to a few Thundercat concerts. He's a beast on the bass. I was surprised to see him in the Boba Fett TV show this year.

First few people who come to mind are Bowie and Beck. I'm thinking of acts that merge genres together, not just jump all over the place.

Frank Zappa

Franco Battiato

David Bowie

Not really. Prince was a one of kind talent.

Even if manage 2 a name a few, they will pale in comparison.

This isnt fandom, it is just the truth.

neil young

Are there any current pop stars who span genres to the degree Prince did
The key word in this question is "consistently".

Bobbie Gentry.

She ranged freely between "country", "pop", "soul" and much else. (She's a "current pop star" to me because I just discovered her. She turns 80 this month, and hasn't performed in public in almost 40 years.) There's also something Prince-like in the way she moved on stage (from the few clips available online), and took a keen interest in all aspects of her career.

First name that comes to mind is Miles Davis, who went from bebop at the start to ambient/fusion/rock/funk by the end. In between we get so many forms of so-called "jazz," most of it without any clear genre. Miles loved Prince, Prince loved Miles. We can guess a big part of that is how fearless each was about taking things in new directions.

Take, for instance, Miles' 1960s. That decade begins with Sketches of Spain, a suite of Spanish dances done with an orchestra. The decade ends with Bitches Brew where Miles is making a space fusion album with intense electric amplication. He definitely encompassed many styles in each decade.

[Edited 7/14/22 20:17pm]

rolling stones handled disco really well

TrivialPursuit said:

lurker316 said:

For example, MJ's dabbling with Dirty Diana doesn't mean he explored rock music the same way Prince did.

Beat It

Dirty Diana

Come Together

Black or White

Give In To Me

Morphine

Scream

D.S.

I don't want to side-track this thread, but I feel the need to note that some of the songs you listed are not rock songs. The inclusion of an electric guitar by itself doesn't make a song "rock". For example, Beat It is a dance song that has a guitar solo. It's not a rock song.

I don't think there is any concievable way to argue MJ's catalogue was as eclectic as Prince's. That's not mean to denigrate MJ. He provided some of the catchest pop songs of all time and should be given credit for that. And I'm not suggesting an artist needs to be as eclectis as Prince to be great. I'm simply observing that Prince was willing to explore and take more risks, some of which failed and some of which succeeded.

nosajd said:

Jon Batiste comes to mind as well.

His album is so freakin' good. I went in blind, not knowing any song on it besides "Freedom."

It was a pleasant surprise.

TrivialPursuit said:

TrivialPursuit said:

RODSERLING said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Beat It

Dirty Diana

Come Together

Black or White

Give In To Me

Morphine

Scream

D.S.

Also : State of Shock, Why You Wanna Trip On Me, Whatever Happens*

Indeed.

* Not as familiar with Invincible as I should be, so I'd have never thought of it.

Janelle Monae is the closest star now that is more of a renaissance woman. Her first two album mixed so many diverse styles in a new way that she was hard to place in any one genre. Her last two albums have been less esotoric but still blended funk, rap, soul, and pop. I wouldn't be surprised if her next album will have a completely differnt style. Also impressive is her acclaimed work as an actress (Monnlight, Hidden Figures, and Harriet). No wonder why Prince and her hit it off so well.

The only other person, in my opinion, I can place anywhere near Prince is Beck. If you want a demonstration of his work being genre spanning, just listen to Sea Chance (2002), Guero (2005) and The Information (2006). Even within singular albums he sometimes switches up the sound majorly or in small ways, like most songs on Hyperspace (2019) sound coherent but songs like Saw Lightning and Star stick out majorly. I've written a few reviews on Beck and have more in the works, but here's the most recent one, with links to the others: https://thevioletreality....0495d03531

fishbone

Lenny Kravitz

Bowie

Beck

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Jimi Hendrix