While some may think that Prince is not attractive or sexy, many people do. If he had not been as "sexy" or "good looking," to both women and men, do you think he would still have been as popular based on his music alone?

Further, if he had not been light-skinned, would he have still appealed to a mainstream, i.e., largely white, audience? I would prefer to keep this discussion away from the tired question of "what is Prince's race?" but rather focus on whether some people may have felt more comfortable buying his albums because there was confusion as to his race/ethnicity or because he was light-skinned.

the way i see it is this: the looks are all part of the package with almost any singer/musical act/what-have-you, so yeah...ol' boy's looks did play an integral part in his popularity. nobody can resist a prettyman.

if he weren't as handsome--or better yet, never even shown his face at all and were to keep his identity hidden, people would still dig 'im for the music.



mine!

grabs popcorn

rdhull said:

need a chair?

2 some extent I guess. Sex sells of cause, but I think a lot of people, particularly men, find Prince a bit of a hairy, weird pervert who doesnt know what his name is.

I think if Ur in2 Prince, U love his sexual nature.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Imma stand for now..things might get thrown (if its done right),and I want mobility.

rdhull said:

true...carries chair outta the thread

Please, Muffy, stay away from this thread.

Supernova said:

the whole forum

Supernova said:

i think she got her account deactivated...

It was his beard that attracted me 2 Prince more than anything else.

violetorgangrinder said:

well the thing that's so great about Prince is his uniqueness and a lot of people think that's sexy,
one song really captivates the 'essence' of Prince:


I just can't believe all the things people say
Am I black or white? Am I straight or gay?
Do I believe in God? Do I believe in me?
I can't understand human curiosity
Was it good for you? Was I what you wanted me to be? Controversy
Do you get high? Does your daddy cry?
Controversy

Do I believe in God? Do I believe in me?
Some people wanna die so they can be free
(I said) Life is just a game, we're all just the same...do you wanna play?
Controversy

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever
Controversy
Love Him, Love Him baby
Controversy

Listen
People call me rude, I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white, I wish there were no rules Controversy

Do I believe in God? Do I believe in me? Let me tell ya...
Some people wanna die so they can be free
(I said) Life is just a game, we're all just the same...don't ya wanna play?
Controversy

violetorgangrinder said:

Ok so lets really get this shit jumpin off(planet rock-ya just dont stop)..about the color scheme ( no pun)...I do feel that because of his color he gets clowned and boo-hissed for his dealings and daliances etc. rather than if he were not black...you see Axl Rose (just an example), and damn near every other rock star (especially in the 80's) playing the field and playing games...but folks pin Prince to the cross..I mean stauros..I mean cross hell I dont know anymore lol..and I wonder why folks never use relationships as an issue as they do with Prince for being such a godawful person...hell Madonna is queen bitch to her staff etc too...u think she doesn't or has not in th e past, fucked people over?...but she's looked upon as a "struggling survivor who did what she had to do to get where she wanted to go " etc and all that otha boolshet nonsense...yeah I think race has something to do with it...not skin tone per se...there I said it cause somebod had too...dont be scurred lol...I think I will take that couch now

these are just immediate examples that come to mind..we can continue this
[This message was edited Sun Sep 7 11:16:52 PDT 2003 by rdhull]
[This message was edited Sun Sep 7 11:24:43 PDT 2003 by rdhull]

crickets chirpin and shit

rdhull said:

Naw, rd, don't take the couch. Somebody's about to get a fresh can of discussion forum whoop-ass. I don't wanna see ya get hit from behind cuz you're trying to get comfortable Stand up so you'll be ready

violetorgangrinder said:

i think prince looks absolutely fantastic ! , i am male and no, i am not gay !!! he dresses his band in some similar outfits time to time and they look ridiculous ! brownmark , miko weaver even wendy and lisa !!!he seems to be able to pull of his look real well but try it on others and !!! well check out your old videos you will see what i mean , i dont think its sexual i just think he is unique.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

You're right.

chickengrease said:

true, true...

I think it all ties in together. Because he is "attractive", he was able to get further than those equally as talented but less good looking. Because he used his looks to accentuate his sexually-themed music, he was able to appeal to a mass audience. At the time, sex was taboo in music and Prince pushed it, like Madonna. Because he was light-skinned, he had a "universal appeal". Not threatening to whites, yet still keeping a connection with the black image (initially) as well as SEEMING to be mixed with something else (which would include latinos, etc.). To answer the question: YES, I think so. I think if he wasn't attractive, he couldn't have used sex as a selling point and would have had to rely solely on his music. I think if that had happened, he would not have been given carte blanche at WB and would NOT have had the opportunity to rise to the level he did. NO ONES MUSIC ALONE SELLS TO THE POP CROWD. Image is ALWAYS a factor.


After re-reading the question, HOW MUCH of his popularity is due to his sex appeal - I'd say 60%.
[This message was edited Sun Sep 7 11:35:41 PDT 2003 by BlaqueKnight]

BlaqueKnight said:

i'd say a bit higher than 60%...

BlaqueKnight said:

lower...

Most people don't find him very sexy

I, personally think he's SEX itself, but it has not affected me to like him. I like him for his music, not for his d***.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Okay, okay...64.59836487625340284%...that's my final offer. ? ?

BlaqueKnight said:

i'll take that.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

COOL. Then its settled.