It really doesn't matter that he's a genius and has composed some of the greatest music of our time. Very few people take his music seriously and don't really see Prince as an enduring figure in music.

Are we afraid to admit that these critics could be right??

1. First, the tour is doing well...however, I believe that it's doing well on account of the hits being played "for the final time."

2. Musicology is good, just not great. And maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it'll do much on the charts or sales-wise.

3. Honestly, I'm not sure if the conversion to JW and all the recent self-righteous behavior is helping him at all. I for one am starting to tire of his prostelyzing, yet double-mindedness (e.g., walking out of "Jersey Girl" due to the cursing; however, listening to Janet's new album, which has cursing, sexual innuendo throughout).

4. Finally, the only reason why critics seem to be giving P the time of day is because it's what's in and Sony's really trying to promote the album. Sure there will be buzz surrounding the debut, but it'll all die out a few weeks after the album drops. I think releasing "Musicology" as the first single was a HUGE mistake...one that P and Sony execs will come to regret.

Perhaps I'm wrong and need to have a little more faith, but I am beginning to accept [and agree with the UK standard article] that the only influence P will have on the industry is inspiring the younger generation to produce music. This is not necessarily a BAD thing, I just think that P's career has changed to the point that he won't have much commercial impact on the industry. That's my opinion and my take on the situation.

Any thoughts?

When Prince released or The Rainbow Children or Rave, did you see him on the cover of Entertainment Weekly or in a featured article in Newsweek or Time? Some of those magazines didn't even review his last few albums. I think his career is far from over. People other than us - his hardcore lifelong fan base, are actually paying attention this time.

Sheesh I wish my career was as over as Prince's. Sometimes you have to take things for what they are instead of trying to disect them to deep and thinking about this and that too much. I think things are going alright at the moment and am not afraid that P's career is over I just accept it for what it is.

laylow03 said:

I always take the gossip-type stuff with a grain of salt...who knows why they walked out of the movie early (if they actually even went at all), maybe they just thought it sucked, maybe they had to catch a plane, who knows...

Good lord...It's amazing how some can take a positive and turn it into a negative...

laylow03 said:

Yeah, your right, god it really is over. Hmm. Guess we should all pack our shit up and leave. *in a Homer Simpson voice* 'In case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic'.
Now shut the fuck up!
Prince is back!

Prince's career will be over when no one is left to say it's over. So you just proved it isn't -- and please check the mag rack at the grocery store.

Prince was washed up the day For You came out...all those millions of record sales ever since have just been sympathy purchases. We all feel really bad for the guy, see.

Anxiety said:

Yeah For You Thats the shittest swan song ive ever heard.

laylow03 said:

The sky is definitely falling, chicken little!

jillybean said:

i think you've missed one of laylow's more valid points. the media coverage / reviews is down to Sony using it's in hour publicists / promotions departments and putting the heat on. all rock critics / magazine editors have been aware of prince releasing records through the internet for the past few years. they all know his site (npgmusc.com). they don't actually care any more than they did before. they're just doing what sony are asking. so i wouldn't judge princes' career status on the column inches he's getting. look at the units sold. that's what makes a career. sadly.

I think what you say is interesting, and Prince could have had a consistent (if somewhat boring) career a la Sting, but he has a habit of shooting himself in the foot. I was at his nearly sold-out show in Cincinnati the other night and amazed that a man who hasn't had a hit in years still has enough clout with the public to tour on the level he does. I'm sure Sony's justified emphasis on his career has a lot to do with all the media hype going on now, but he's due some credit for this recent success, too. You can't find too many artists in the history of pop music who have had a career like his. He's akin to a Paul McCartney or Bruce Springsteen in this regard. He'll always have appeal to a fairly large audience willing to plunk down substantial dollars for a ticket.

To Laylow 03: Nope not afraid to admit it at all because I don't know what you're talking about. I believe what Prince said at the Rock and Roll of Fame:
It aint over. True he hasn't put out top selling albums in the last few years, but he is the the epitome of a musician and what music should be compared to this bullshit you hear which isn't music at all. You don't need talent: Like Arsenio Hall said on the Wayne Brady show and I ain't all that wrapped up in Arsenio, but I had to go with him on this one. "You don't need talent, all you got to do is be married for short periods of time. That's all it takes anymore.

I'm gonna keep saying this cuz I love sayin it and gon keep on saying it until I wear everybody's nerves on it. Prince would be officially over to me if he fell into the same shit Michael Jackson is going through. The so-called drag queen of pop had fans fainting, screaming, and tearin their eyes out back in the day and now even though he will always have his fans, with all that mania 15 and 20 years later he has f*** his career and reputation up with child molestion charges and horrible alien lookin plastic surgery and he still hasn't got the message about the little boys. He may always have his talent, but that is not what people are focusing on. They're focusing on the negative. Not only that while you talkin about P poor album sales, MJ hasn't produced a smash either. His History CD wasn't a blockbuster, his remix album Blood on the dance floor didn't even get on or off the floor, and Invincible was terrible. I only liked 3 songs off the whole CD and Number Ones did the same because it was released the same day they arrested him with handcuffs for all the world to see, plus I don't think it would've sold here in the states anyway, because MJ's stuff is never gonna be like it was with Thriller and Prince's latest stuff will never be Purple Rain and any of his early stuff. He's someplace else now.

I will agree with you about the self-rightous stuff because just cuz you done got religious don't be acting like you been saved all your life and ain't never done nothing. Religion doesn't erase you past (not with people it dont anyway)

But his career being over?
When he falls into the clutches of
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown
James Brown
Michael Jackson
Even poor Diana Ross

Then his career is over and I can't take him seriously or fully respect him as a muscian anymore. I would remain a diehard fanatic, but I would be deeply disappointed and upset with him especially if he was going through the stuff MJ is doing. Even if he (P) hadn't been found guilty for whatever he is alleged (in his case, I would say rape, not child molestation) I don't want to see him continually putting himself in positions where he's looking guilty or saying stupid shit like MJ does to get yourself into hot water.

Whether Musicology is blockbuster or not. Prince is looking better than ever. He voice and musicianship skills are excellent and he is one of the greatest live acts ever. No lipsyncing required and he could show today's so called I don't even know what to call them how it's done. No baby, his career ain't over.

laylow03 said:

What is the point of these types of posts? Prince's impact and talent is singular, us true fans don't really care whether he's on vh1 or not, we will still maintain our interest. I guess for some people they want to see their hero do well, I do too but it's not that important to me. Anyway, in response to your questions, I think it is very possible that he could have a major resurgence, already he's hotter than any time I can remember since Purple Rain. Not only that but Prince is so gifted and willful that he could do a lot of things that people wouldn't expect. I think he could turn on his ability to enrapture people at will. I think he's also a rather solitary guy who could do without it too.
I still think he has major work left in him, I think he's done a lot of excellent work that gets no credit.
Another factor is kids who don't really know much about Prince will get a chance to discover what we did when we were kids and maybe that could be part of his pop momentum.
I'm with you on the JW stuff, who wants to hear it? Especially when there are and always will be indications of hypocrisy with a guy like Prince. Do you rreally think he will stop wearing high heels, mascara, etc.. Do you think he will stop being an egomaniac? Hell no. Anyway, I think it's a gimmick to sell a new and improved Prince, which often has not worked for him because he's so damned quirky. At this point, all that is left for him to do with his image is to try one where he is very conservative. It's a natural progression but I have my doubts about his sincerity.

NME said:

I can't think of any music artist who has stayed consistently commercially viable and artistically cutting all through their career - there is always ups and downs.

Add to that that there is always a creative/commercial peak, and after the there are smaller peaks and troughs - but rarely anything that matches the past successes.

My opinion is that Prince is past his creative peak, but since he's such a great live act, and a great musician, and seems to shit out songs like the rest of us breathe air - his career I don't think is ever going to be over.

Are there any pop artists who have been around over 25 years making ground breaking records any more? I don't know of any.

It's a natural cycle.

The only ones who care about Princes recent attitude (prude or whatever u want to call it) are us computer die hard Prince nerds. Princes career will never be over unless he wants it to be. This is a dumb subject.

I think the recent revival that Prince has been enjoying proves that all he had to do to revive his career commercially is 1)attempt to act like a normal human being, and 2)play the media game.

Even when his sales were at their lowest, there was always a general interest in Prince. Critics still respected his ability even when they were dismissing his current albums as psychotic gibberish. The public would have been willing to buy tickets to one of his concerts if they thought they were going to get the Prince who made Purple Rain and SOTT, instead of the Prince who inflicted Rainbow Children and New Power Soul on the world.

Now that the guy is indicating that he's willing to give the public what they want, he's a hot ticket. It could have been this way all along if he wasn't so singularly self-destructive.

It's true that major artists often experience an artistic and commercial decline after they experience success. It happened to Lennon and McCartney, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder - Prince is not unique in this regard. What was unique was that his fall was so painfully weird and embarrassing. As far as I'm concerned, that fellow absolutely made a fool out of himself. He now appears to be indicating that he is willing to reign in his behaviour in order to re-establish his standing and secure his legacy.

SexLovely said:

once your career starts it never really stops
Prince has a working studio and an able body band

Prince's career was over after the most beautiful girl in the world
but i seriously think P isnt interested in making hits nemore
its what grabs him

O.K. some valid points, indeed. Lemme just elaborate on something that wasn't clear before:

I have followed P's career since "For You" and consider myself a very devoted "fam." My intention was not to deny that Prince isn't one of the greatest and most talented musicians of our time. And my post was not meant to offend any of you. What I'm trying to say is that I feel that oftentimes his "fans" [that's us, folks] refuse to admit that P has lost some credibility in the music world. Now, sure I could eat my words and regret all that I've written in the following weeks, but really...calling me names and telling me to 'fuck off' won't change MY opinion about what I think is a travesty: the fact that Prince will never receive his just due...perhaps until years after he's past on from this world. Case in point: I was speaking with a few of my friends who I would consider casual fans at the very least. With all the promotional stuff going on, they STILL didn't realize that Musicology is being released Tuesday. And I have yet to hear "Musicology" on any R&B station [D.C. area] or any other radio station, for that matter. It just doesn't fit the format.

Now, do I spend my time fantasizing and over-analyzing Prince's career, as some of you suggest? Hell no! I've got more important things to do. I simply wanted to make an observation and I did.

The other last point I wanted to make, then I promise to "fuck off," is that I've always admired the fact that Prince seemed to eschew too much mainstream exposure. Now I'm not sure what to think: On the one hand, he's the maverick the mainstream has come to abhor because he doesn't play by the rules. On the other hand, he turns right around and begins playing into their hands by doing all this promotional stuff, talking to press, appearing on shows, talking about how giving his album away at concerts will knock Norah Jones out of the #1 spot, etc. For all that talk about being a corporate slave, then in fact succumbing to some of that now, we don't know what to think. And how does being a JW fit into this? Too much self-adulation would be spirtually anti-thetical to the JW doctrine? I just don't know what to think of P's approach right now and I'm not sure if I can just turn to the music and let it speak for itself. I've always focused on Prince the Musician rather than Prince the Human but there's not much going on musically, either...

U're wrong and need 2 have a little more faith...

One, his career will never be over, unless HE wants it to be. Even just touring, he'd make millions a year . . .

As for the indy vs. mainstream argument, he's knowledgable enough NOW to realize it's not always an all-or-nothing scenario. He can benefit from a contract, or choose to be totally independent.

I should reiterate that when I say his "career" is over, I mean *commercially*. Sure, he'll still play and record music. I'm not stupid and I do have faith in him as a musician, just not in his quest for commercial success...

laylow03 said:

They are playing Musicology all over down south here on R&B...also on pop stations.
Believe me they will really be playing.... CALL MY NAME on R&B when it's time.

If someone doesn't know musicology is being released, that says more about them than the release.....




Just like anybody else's religion fits into his/her career.

I agree that Call My Name should have been the single released for R&B audience. That point I agree with you on. Of course I don't think there's anything wrong with religious beliefs. It's just that if you're going to talk about your beliefs in your songs n' things, at least stay true to the calling, one; and two, don't force your beliefs on anyone else; and three, you know that there will be some moments when things will happen that go against your beliefs...so realize that the world doesn't revolve around you and your beliefs...

TurnItUp said:

I agree wit that. 2day's majority sign ofva career bein' ova is when he falls in2 illegal trouble. Like the 1s u have said. 2 me I think this is a beginning 4 Prince(as in a different persona) I am a newbie(really in '98 I wuz hooked 2 him but I got out of it in mid. that year) I've just came back 2 him in '04. Basically I think it's a new beginning 4 his otha side. & yea in sum way his career is ova 4 in da past @least. I know no matta what nebody says about Musicology its gonna be in stores this Tuesday I'ma defintely cop it. It'll be special 2 me cuz it'll be my 1st Prince CD eva.

laylow03 said:

STILL NO.....look. He lost momentum because he left the business so to speak. He only utilized it for certain releases which is not enough. It needs contiuous momentum. Now that he is back in the business so to speak...the awareness that was missing due to battles etc is back. So with that ..him being in the public consciousness as any other artist in the business ona major label, he is and will still be viable. The only reason he seemingly has not been in the last decade is becasue of his stance away from the machine, point fucking blank. If he stayed in graces he would still sell 2-3 mill of releases just as in the past. It was his choice to step away and take a commercial dive in doing so ( a record companies PR and awareness building is one of the main tools of producing commerical viability)...not the "quality" of the music etc. Not saying the quality has always been up to par either, but that argument that ding dongs state as "his music sucks thats why he aint on the charts" is simply one sided, blinded, and stupid.

His career is not over. Even when he layed low and was underground he still toured. Public came back to him because they hadn't seen him or heard him perform in a long time. Plus their is nothing going on in music so Prince has seized the moment. He's being exposed to the masses again.

I know what your saying he is not the creative force (musically) he was in the 80's but he has been one of the most influencial black musicians and creative (innovative) around. He's not playing just for the kids anymore. Being he is an older musician now , him staying at this height may last only for a moment, but he'll always be around. He's proven he ain't going no where!



FUNK IS FOREVER COMING---George Clinton