One thing I can say about Prince is: For the longest time, people used to aways talk about how weird he was for not letting the press in his business, not talking to people and snubbing the media, but one thing we can all say: It has PAID OFF! I'm asking all of you what if Prince had child molestation or rape charges against him and his freak eccentric behavior overshadowed his talent like MJ. I used to love MJ around the Thriller days, but 20 years later who knew??? 20 years later Prince may not be putting the hits out like he did in the 80's, but one thing still stands, he is top of the line pure musician 100%, he is one the greatest live acts (when you go to a Prince concert it is live not memorex) remember what he said on Tavis' show before BET Tonight and that face he gave to the camera (ha ha). I just don't know if I could take it if he was the one that the police was bringing in for questioning with those handcuffs on him, that the media keeps playing over and over again until you wanna scream or him going on tv saying it's still ok to do what he's doing even if he might be facing 20-30 years. What if Prince fucked his face up like MJ did? or dangling his babies over balconies. What if Prince was going through the trips that MJ is?

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thebumpsquad said:

co-

Wha???

Don’t even know where to start with this as P hasn’t given us any weirdness even close to MJ. Whereas MJ has been building his weird ways since Thriller…so dangling babies and the like are kind of part of the show. I mean who’s really surprised at the MJ allegations…true or not.

If it was P… and out of the blue accusation came out...I’d be VERY skeptical…because it’s just not him.

I too used to like MJ, but his music stops for me somewhere during Bad.

smm said:

That middle part has little to do with guilt or innocence. For diehard MJ fans, I'm sure, they feel the same way about him and his performances. And, as I recall with Prince's Emancipation release and Chris Rock appearances, he was in fact performing to tapes.

Those quibbles notwithstanding, Prince might not have molestation charges to battle, but there have been reports (of varying credibility) that he has a dark side that can range from misogyny (hmmm, lyrics to "Sarah," "Schoolyard," the "Lady Cab Driver" scene among other patterns in his art bear out some issues, to me) to outright abuse.

Prince isn't perfect. He just seems to keep a tighter rein over his public persona.

The difference is, Prince does not have a history allegations relating to the rape of under-age boys.

He has dated several young women, and has had relationships with 16 and 17 year old girls (the content of which is officially non-sexual) - so I see no reason why I would not contend his defence.

However, if allegations of child molestation were put forth to anyone over a 10 year period, I would at least question the validity of their defence.

Because we are talking about Michael Jackson, it would be unfair to pose a question about another human being compared to MJ. Prince may, as we all do have our own little secrets, a pedophile, Naw. I would not support anyone who put a child in danger. I don't care if it were my own mother.

Prince and MJ they both have had enormous amounts of success, hordes of crazy fans, and eccentric behavior. Here is the difference between the two:


Unlike Michael, Prince had a fairly normal childhood. Meaning, he has not been famous all of his life. Even though life was probably rough for him , from what I've read, he had the chance to develop into an adult by experiencing life as a "regular kid". I think this has allowed Prince to be more in touch with reality than MJ. Also, a lot of Prince's eccentricities are/were just an act. In the 80's he totally played that mysterious rock star/genius role to a T. In reality Prince seems very coversational and well spoken. However, MJ just seems lost and outta touch with the "real world" and unfortunately I think he isn't acting that way. The price you pay for being famous since before puberty.

skywalker said:

Have you, perchance, seen "An Evening with Kevin Smith" DVD, on which he chronicles his experience during the Celebration? Kevin strikes me as someone grounded in reality. Prince? Um...


"Chaka mad?"

ThreadBare said:

I would hardly say the lyrics to songs such as "Sarah," "Schoolyard," and "Lady Cab Driver" give proof that Prince has misogynistic views.

From Merriam-Webster -

One entry found for misogyny.
Main Entry: mi·sog·y·ny
Pronunciation: m&-'sä-j&-nE
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek misogynia, from misein to hate + gynE woman -- more at QUEEN
: a hatred of women

After reading the lyrics to those songs, one does not think of a hatred of women.

I don't see Prince getting messed up in anything even remotely close to what MJ is going through. If anything, it would be more along the lines of what Kobe Bryant is going through, an adult-vs-adult case.

Prince and Michael have a "few" things in common, namely the eccentricity and reclusiveness, but that's about it (aside from the music, of course).

Paisley Park is NOT Neverland, Prince does NOT surround himself with underrage children for sleepovers, and Prince does not have to pay women to marry him! Or does he? LOL, just kidding . . .

Underneath it all, Prince is a pretty normal guy. Sure, he's probably conceited and arrogant, but he's still a normal guy. I mean, I'm sure Prince looks at MJ and says "Man, WHAT IS UP WITH HIM???!!!"

But, to answer the question, yes, I'd support him.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 1 17:17:16 2004 by Se7en]

diamond99 said:

1) In "Sarah," he jokes about kicking women.
2) "Schoolyard" paints a picture of P taking advantage of a girl who's under the influence.
3) There's still some confusion among fans as to whether that "Lady Cab Driver" bridge was consensual.
4) Prince's trademark for his female proteges and bandmates was for them all to dress like hookers. (A point that always made me laugh about The Kid's opposition to Apollonia 6 in the movie. It was as if he said, "Shucks, Morris got her dressin' like a hoe before I could. Dang.") In fact, the objectification of women plays a large role in Prince's career.

Collectively, that would suggest some issues to me about women. But if you come to different conclusions, so be it.

ThreadBare said:

Yeah I did see it and I loved it.

The story struck me more of Prince being a famous superstar asshole than being this person with no concept of reality. Demanding camels and stuff that is diva behavior that I would expect of Madonna or JLO as well- know what I mean? I just think that Prince is used to getting what he wants exactly when he wants it. It's not so much that he is weird (which he is) as it is that he is part of the very rich and famous.

Since I wouldn't know Prince or his accuser personally, I would keep my mouth shut and hope our justice system gets it right.

ThreadBare said:

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I am really tired of this Chaka mad shit. Don't you thinkPrince was just repeating that Chaka Khan was mad about her troubles with WB. Chaka talks about this in her book. I don't doubt that Kevin Smith did not have a pleasant encounter with Prince. I just think he took this one off comment and ran it into the freaking ground.

As far as Prince not being as messed up as Mike. I think Prince is just really good at keeping his crap on the downlow and also think having had a childhood has kept him from completly going over the cliff.

Never underestimate what a fucked childhood can do to anyone.

skywalker said:

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I agree. I also doubt that he asked his personal assiant for a camel. I am pretty sure the
assitant was using the camel demand as an example of Prince making outragous demands.

This would put him up there with divas and crazy rock bands.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 1 18:06:35 2004 by laurarichardson]

Since this would be a Lie a complete Farce against Prince yes, I would defend him. He would NEVER even ENTERTAIN such Thoughts and PRobably steered Clear of Jackson cause of his Weirdness. I think Prince CLEVERLY Dis-Associates himself from WEIRDOS because he is VERY IMAGe CONSCIOUS.

laurarichardson said:

1) Deep breath.
2) Count to 3 .... make that 5 ...
3) And release.

So much better, wouldn't you agree?

Diva behavior, to me, is the abandonment of reality. I don't see a difference.

I defend michael, not because I know one way or the other if it's true or not but because i know that the possibility of it being a witchunt is very strong also. I would defend Prince even quicker because he does not fit the profile of a molestor in any way. At least michael fits the profile to a t, which may not mean anything at all. Prince's sexual energy has always been semi-healthily expressed.

I wouldn't support any 40 year old man that sleeps in the same bed as kids.Charges or not.Michael is a freaking punk, and he tries to use that soft voice,and money to make everyone believe that he is such a nice guy. F him. Where I come from he would get a good old ass kicking.

The only thing that cjaka is mad at is the fact that she can't find any more weed..

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

co-co-

ThreadBare said:

Alright let me say it like this: If you are rich+ famous and you have hired help to go get you ice cream, camels, etc. Then you are used to that. It is not my reality or yours probably, but in Prince's world that how things work. So it is odd for you and I, but to the very rich and famous it is how things work. If I was used to getting ice cream from the paid help and suddenly I couldn't I'd be pissed too.

BlaqueKnight said:

There's no doubt the media's been after MJ for a long time, but he's made it easy for them. Hanging out with little boys repeatedly at the least makes the charges believable. Only an idiot would dangle their son over a balcony, if only for 0.000001 nanoseconds. MJ, has unfortunately become a complete joke. The only credibility he has is his past, great as it was. He has sunk to the level of Britney Spears. He can no longer dance, his fashion sense which was never good is now terrible, and his voice- once his greatest asset- has been damaged by nose surgeries and perhaps age. Most importantly, his music is repetitive, standard fare. Please don't respond with an attack on Prince because we're talking about MJ. I know Prince isn't perfect and I'm not gonna defend him.

ThreadBare said:

Joking about kicking a woman would not be difined as misogynistic, and he states "I'd never raise my hand 2 U" right before he jokes aobut kicking her. He probably just put that line in because it ryhmed.

As for "Schoolyard", I don't think he was talking about taking advantage of a girl under the influence. He was talking about things that young adolescents partake in and the fact that you would hope your children would make better decisions. Besides, when are people going to take responsibility for their actions. If you think you might get "taken advantage of" because you are under the influence, then don't do drugs. That is your responsibility. Also, I never knew that weed led to promiscuous sex, I thought it just made you relaxed and hungry.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 1 22:17:32 2004 by diamond99]

ThreadBare said:
After reading the lyrics to those songs, one does not think of a hatred of women.[/quote]

1) In "Sarah," he jokes about kicking women.
2) "Schoolyard" paints a picture of P taking advantage of a girl who's under the influence.
3) There's still some confusion among fans as to whether that "Lady Cab Driver" bridge was consensual.
4) Prince's trademark for his female proteges and bandmates was for them all to dress like hookers. (A point that always made me laugh about The Kid's opposition to Apollonia 6 in the movie. It was as if he said, "Shucks, Morris got her dressin' like a hoe before I could. Dang.") In fact, the objectification of women plays a large role in Prince's career.

Collectively, that would suggest some issues to me about women. But if you come to different conclusions, so be it. [/quote]

You'd be hard-pressed to find an album in the last 100 years that didn't objectify women in some way... it's not a Prince phenomenon I guess it depends on how the individual interprets the artist. Personally, I look at the songs he's created and see how he reveres women and approaches them with a combination of love AND vibrant sexuality (with a healthy dose of objectification) that no other male artist ever has. Are there some perverted images painted? some that push the limits of what's socially accepted? H*ll yeah... Does "Lady Cab Driver" indicate the presence of some deep hatred of women? uhh... I think its a silly question

Oh yeah...where on Schoolyard does he take advantage of her?!? She was more experienced as I recall and she gave him his first taste, lol..

diamond99 said:

That's all very generous.

JumpUpOnThe1 said:

I never suggested Prince had a monopoly on objectification of women. I wouldn't even say that it is the central theme to his songwriting. I just think it is a recurring one, particularly in his earlier work.

As for interpretation, I agree. But, I think some things don't require figurative leaps.

ThreadBare said:

And I would say that you're overly harsh.