Talking to Giotto earlier today, I was surprised about how easily the concept of 'ego' can be misconstrued.

Personally speaking, I think Prince's ego has been one of the most essential ingredients that has kept us all here. Afterall, it's at times when Prince has truly believed in himself that we've really seen him at his most daring, captivating and awe-inspring. There are numerous occassions throughout Prince's musical life where his ego has come back to play with us, most recently being on The Rainbow Children. Hopefully, we'll discuss some of the earlier examples on this thread too e.g. Dirty Mind.

If Prince ever gives up believing in himself, it won't be too long before the family will follow. This is why I believe his current set of values have saved his musical career, and my enjoyment of it. Even if I can't agree, or quite understand his beliefs, I'm loving the fact that Prince's ego is not dead anymore.

Anji said:

aren't you afraid that the new set of beliefs might steal away his ego? If I should find myself against the "new" Prince, this would be the reason why (if that happens, naturally).

Otherwise, I think I agree with you.

Anji said:

You really know how to keep it goin' Anj!

lovebizzare said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

[This message was edited Sat May 3 15:53:19 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]

agarze said:

Why would I be afraid? I credit Prince's ego with the resilience it has shown to date. Again, there are numerous examples where he has been questioned about all things related to his sanity, yet his ego comes back stronger. The man is remembering how good he is, on every level, and we are benefitting from a musical perspective...

I think Prince actually has no ego... he is mirroring just the biggest influence at the time...
let it be Larry Graham, Mel B., Doug E. Fresh, Kirk J., Mayte, (sorry overlooked...) TONY M!!!!, Ingrid Chavez (the spiritual girl), Sheila, Wendy and Lisa, Susannah or whichever cute ass just wiggled at him...

what do you mean EGO? PARROT more likely
[This message was edited Sat May 3 16:41:01 PDT 2003 by roverlo]

Anji said:

Actually, many people are benefitting from their 'life' perspectives being challenged too.

One might even suggest that Prince's ego is once again breathing life into others, as it has done so upon itself.

Supernova said:

Anji said:

what do you mean once again??? examples please.

roverlo said:

Most recently, The Rainbow Children has rekindled the fire amidst the fan community. Where did that fire come from? Prince's ego.

Anji said:

TRC has everything to do about a book and not so much with a man alive.

When it was released it threw water on the fire of my passion... and the silly voices served as a major distraction from the wonderful(??? I can't tell because of the silly voices) music.

roverlo said:

This is a worthwhile point. Is Prince's ego represented by the feeling of what he believes in? How does he choose what he believes in? What's the source of his ego? Does it matter? Lovesexy was ego, just as The Rainbow Children is ego. That feeling that results is more important to me, and that is represented through the music.

Anji said:

I think most of Prince's musical life has been him finding himself and not being sure of himself. That's cool with some of Prince Classic lovers cuz I feel the best music was made during that period. Now that he supposedly found himself, the word ego takes on it's alternate meaning of someone who is full of himself and has a superiority complex. Before, we were all down here in the trenches, playing in the sunshine. Now, it's an 'us or them' situation.

stymie said:

Now I will admit Prince has one hell of an ego, but that doesn't necessarily always reflect on his music, but most of the time it does. So anji, I think you have a point
[This message was edited Sat May 3 17:03:20 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]
[This message was edited Sat May 3 17:06:15 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]

roverlo said:

For you, it appears that The Rainbow Children is just about a book. To me, the same album speaks volumes about how that very book has breathed life into the man's life again. The result for us, is the music. Also, it's not just about that book in my opinion. It's actually far more 'significant' than that. I think Prince is actually starting to fully represent who he truly is.

The artistry is dazzling because the ego is being fed again. Who's feeding the ego and what are the 'rules'? (By the way, this is where I think things will eventually break down for Prince. The rebirth will be magnificent though. Maybe even, psychotic).

roverlo said:

When I first received the download of TRC, I was glad to have it because it was new Prince music. I listened to it everyday for a month because Prince music has always been able to feed my soul. Obviously, I wasn't listening to the words. Although I had the download burned to CD, I still went out and bought it because I don't buy Prince boots(see, I can play nice). I got it, read the words: water dashed on the fire of my passion as well. The silly voice didn't bother me. The silly lyrics did.

stymie said:

That there is the 'issue' with becoming oneself, so to speak. It's very difficult, almost impossible if you're a somewhat reclusive public figure, to not be misconstrued during this process. An interesting example to consider - why do you think Prince was the way he was through the soundchecks? In my opinion, he's trying to show us that's he just like us. This is something extraordinary for those that still consider him on elevated terms.

Like Teller said, Prince is his equal now. That still cracks me up though.

Anji said: That there is the 'issue' with becoming oneself, so to speak. It's very difficult, almost impossible if you're a somewhat reclusive public figure, to not be misconstrued during this process. An interesting example to consider - why do you think Prince was the way he was through the soundchecks? In my opinion, he's trying to show us that's he just like us. This is something extraordinary for those that still consider him on elevated terms.


Stymie says: Anji, are you saying that all along Prince has been shaping himself into the person we see before us today or is his current status shaped by the people he has chosen to surround himself with recently? In the past, did his ego dictate that he wanted to be loved by millions so he made the music millions would love and now he doesn't feel that want anymore? I feel like we are slaves to his ego.

stymie said:

My answer to your first question is: both but probably, not knowingly.

I'll answer your second question by asking you a couple of questions about the driving force behind Prince's values: Who wanted Prince to be loved by millions? Prince or Warner Brothers?

Nowadays, do you think he wants people to love just him for him, whatever that might be?

Regarding the slave issue, my viewpoint is that you're only a slave for as long as you consider yourself to be one. An interesting question is at what point did Prince fully realise he was no longer a slave to the system? I think it was quite some time after he took the slave scrawl from his face. This is very much related to Prince reclaiming his own name back and representing his roots.

Anji said:

I think Prince got off on the fact that millions of people 'loved' him. I don't think Warner's was an issue.
Nowadays, I don't believe P cares if people(fans) love him for him or not. There have been those of us who loved him all along, 24 million sold or 5 sold, but we don't go along with the new ego and become casualties of New Prince.

stymie said:

Of course, Prince got off on being adored by millions. Isn't that both the high and low of what fame can give you? When you're high, it's all good. But when you're low, then what?

(cue the music: Thieves In The Temple)

Regarding people not wanting the 'new' Prince, I think it's worthwhile taking a step back and asking what is actually new about this Prince. My overwhelming impression is simply that Prince had been seeking the truth again, has found it again (in his opinion) and is now expressing it in a manner which he sees fit. The music is one such expression driven by his ego. In my opinion, this exploration (influenced by Mani, Larry and 'the truth' among other things), and the intensity of his rebirth, was born out of the significance of the loss he suffered both in the late mid-late 90s (and if you want to go deep, a neglect regarding his ancestry from much earlier on too).

What's with the 'eek' face? lol!

Anji said: Regarding people not wanting the 'new' Prince, I think it's worthwhile taking a step back and asking what is actually new about this Prince. My overwhelming impression is simply that Prince had been seeking the truth again, has found it again (in his opinion) and is now expressing it in a manner which he sees fit. The music is one such expression driven by his ego. In my opinion, this exploration (influenced by Mani, Larry and 'the truth' among other things), and the intensity of his rebirth, was born out of the significance of the loss he suffered both in the late mid-late 90s (and if you want to go deep, a neglect regarding his ancestry from much earlier on too).

Stymie says: As far as New Prince is concerned, I am willing to go along for the ride as long as he is willing to have someone like me, baggage and all. I was just discussing with Essence and Blackcat what's new with New Prince. They bought it my attention that the real world has entered Prince's music en masse. We never got an album like TRC before. Let's go deep, but I want to make sure we're on the same page. When you mention the neglect, are you referring to him saying he wasn't Black in the past?

His ego has always been both a blessing & a curse... wonders if I'm looking @ it too simply or Anji's looking @ it too intricately...

stymie said:

The 'eek' face is that I've only turned 25 and I suspect I'll need some historical and cultural perspectives from my respected 'elders' here. LOL! Where are all y'all?

By the way, I've just been reading your thread in the Politics forum and all I can say regarding those that feel they are being excluded, is this: Prince has always believed in the idea of partying up regardless of race, gender or sex etc. That's his party, that's what we represent. I really don't think that has changed at all and this is evidenced in his finale speech in Anna Stesia on ONA Live. What has been happening for some time however is a realisation on his part of where he has come from. These roots I keep referring to are about many of his influences, and in some ways, ours too. Sometimes Prince gets angry with the way things have been with himself and he's expressing that.

(cue the music - The Work pt. 1)

Prince's mind has always taken an inclusive attitude. All he's doing now is really question again but with a very mindful eye. That's the 'issue' with rebirth; sometimes its bitter because things may not be forgiven about one's past. This is where I hope that in time Prince will learn to forgive himself for just being 'normal.' He's getting there but I think the current rules he's surrounding himself with are preventing him from doing just that. I suspect that he will probably rebel against some of these rules when he's willing to but this will take time and yet more significant influencing figures/events. That will then become his most controversial outing and his expressions (including the music) will become rekindled aswell. By the way, this will all be determined by who's being allowed to play with his ego.

Anji said:

You got me to wondering exactly what U mean by ego.
I looked it up and thought I would share.

The "I" or self as distinguished from the selves of others;
the individual's mental states and sensual experiences, as known through direct introspection.

psychoanal.that part of the psyche that is conscious, experiencing,
and reacting to the outside world, and thus acting as the id's unconscious
primitive impulses and society's expectations; self-esteem; self-concept.

Apart from that, I believe that we all need change/variety to add impetus
to our occupational activities. Otherwise what would fuel our endeavors?
What would keep us from resting on our laurels?

CalhounSq said: