Not even and hour after the Grammy performance, this whole site is already buzzing about Prince being "back," about him "rejoining the mainstream." I put those phrases in quotes for two reasons. One, "back" is in quotes because Prince, as we know, never really went anywhere. "Rejoining The Mainstream" is in quotes for a very different reason. It is my contention that Prince never was mainstream in the first place, so him rejoining it is a moot point. HOWEVER, I think that if his Grammy performance tonite and the numerous props given to him throughout the entire telecast proved anything, it is that the music world is possibly starting to realise what many of us have known for a long time. We need Prince now more than ever before. With bands like the White Stripes, the Neptunes, and Outkast being featured so prominently, it seems to me that the climate is right for Prince's music again. Will (and should) Prince return to the charts? Should he sign a deal with a major label? And, most importantly, do ya'll think that the world is finally ready for second Purple Reign? Let's hear it ya'll.

Will and should Prince hit the charts - I'll go on a limb and say Yes

Should he sign with a label - Yes Yes and Yes

Is the world ready for the second Purple Reign - Absolutely, I think the world's been ready for a couple of years but it's at the breaking point now thanks to the 20th Anniversary of Purple Rain.

No debate. Prince has a product in the works that needs to be heard by a new fanbase. We don't know what that product is yet, but we can be assured that he's proud of it if he's pimpin' it to the masses.

I think that the Purple Rain medley was just to perk some ears up that have been sleepin' for a while, and the Beyonce thing was an obvious grab at the "disposble income" kids.

Very good points and questions. I don't know if he'll top the charts like some are speculating, but I do think he has somethin up his sleeve to make our collective jaws drop. my 2 cents.

I think even if Prince doesn't sign a new contract and put out a new chart topping album, he'll still be in the mainstream in that artists like Andre3000, Beyonce, and Jack WHite give him props in their music and in their interviews.

Honestly, I doubt that he'll "rejoin the mainstream" as a performer himself, but I'd really love to see him get back out there, release a chart topping kick ass album, and tour the world. Sigh!

he was not gone and therefore is not back: simply, he always had and still has a very ambiguous relationship with his pop star status. Let's face it: this gemini thing is exactly what makes him so interesting to most of us!!!

DrD said:

First there is Prince, then there is no Prince, then there is...