Ya’ll heard it.

Question.

“So who do you listen to today”

Answer:

“Well I spend so much time making music that I don’t really get a chance to listen…”


Commentary:

And right there – that’s a serious problem. Come on man, let your music grow, open

yourself up to new and different influences. Don’t you realize that your music is just

going to get staler and staler, more and more sterile, if your only inspiration is yourself?

Realize that you may be able to learn from other people. That you have something to \

learn. That other people have something to teach. Damn fool, you’re a talented

motherfucka but get out your own head and wake up!!!

17ways69days said:

Prince has never really listened to anyone else's music, from what I remember from earlier interviews. I don't think this has taken from his music at all. However, he must've listen to some music, because he references EWF and James Brown on Musicology. He's also said he'd like to work with artists like Alicia Keyes and Beyonce; so he's must've at least listened to their music before. I'm sure there's more, but I know he doesn't just listen listen, maybe he's heard a little here and there.

Anyhow, his music is still awesome otherwise.

GeSmi1

I've always thought this has been part of his problem and yet part of his genius, too.

He is SO into being himself to the point of excluding outside influences almost completely.

It was Eric Leeds who turned Prince on to Miles, remember.....Prince probably would have never been as jazz influenced if it weren't for Eric.

However, as I said, it is part of his genius -- no one could come up with some of the stuff he has done that is so inventive, so individual...so PRINCE.

yet he covered "Ëveryday Is A Winding Road" when it was still a bit popular. Prince may not admit it,but I believe he does listen 2 other artists once in a while

3NineteeN04 said:

17ways69days said:

I think his response--and he's been giving that same response for years--is his stock way of gracefully declining to namecheck anyone.

It is very clear however that he pays very close attention to the music that is out at any given time. His work is not created in isolation, and when put in context of other musical trends it makes sense... Emancipation's smooth r&b sound was a direct response to R. Kelly's production style (he even commented on R. Kelly in an interview during that time); The Rainbow Children fits within the "neo-soul" movement of D'Angelo, Badu, etc.; much of The Chocolate Invasion tracks (esp. Judas Smile and SexmeSexmenot) sound like responses to Missy and Timbaland's futuristic funk with stacatto beats and synth lines; and Musicology in some ways reflect the minimalist style of the Neptunes.

Of course Prince puts his own stamp on anything he does. But it's clear he's listening to what's out there. Sometimes he'll say what it is, sometimes he won't.

NuPwrSoul said:

I couldn't have said it better.

Thanks.

He MUST have listened and still does 2 other peoples music!!

He did 4 COVERS on Emancipation, remember!!!!!

Also during the late 80s/early 90s when hip-hop and gangsta rap was emerging, he must have
listened 2 that 2 have started experimenting with it!!!

Also on a lot of bootlegs, he covers a lot of other peoples songs, like Just My Imagination, Miss You and Honky Tonk Woman, the last 2 being from The Stones, a few Elvis songs as well!!

Some of y'all acting like u believe his response. It is as the others say -- he listens all the time to all things in all places.

17ways69days said:

and again

His music has grown...that's all it does...grow evolve and change. His music is far from stale. I think the current trend is showing quite the opposite. And he does listen to other peoples music. He just said he was so busy he hasn't had any time to listen to anythong new lately. He plays some of Outkasts new music in concert, so he does listen to it...just not that often. And probably not getting much of a chance these days.

Currently, I think he's the one out there doing teaching. And it needs to be taught! Isn't that what the Musicology tour is all about? He has learned plenty and his influeces abound with in the guy. I can't believe you took one line in a VERY BEAUTIFUL HALF HOUR and twisted it into something bad. Some people will always find something to complain about I suppose.

I think someone needs to take their head out of their butt but it isn't Prince. He's doing just fine.

Wasn't there a story posted here last week stating that he was spotted on a plane listening to Janet Jackson's Damita Jo album on headphones?

Name one artist over the past 10 years who could possibly give Prince any musical influence.....that's what I thought, there aint none. P got his inspiration from the masters, James Brown, Parlament, George Clinton. So do you actually think that any of the crap out today would influence him????? Idiot....idiot.....idiot. Prince only listening to Prince is a GREAT thing because we won't ever have to hear him trying to imitate the latest sound...like all the other wannabes.....YEA

djcreep said:

Ummm he has been saying he is listening to Alicia Keys, Outkast, and Beyonce is recent interviews. Doesn't mean he's "learning" anything from them in terms of musicianship, but he MOST CERTAINLY is learning from today's pop artists some of the LANGUAGE - musical and otherwise - that they are using to connect to a mass audience.

In his interviews he has been very clear that he purposely set out to make Musicology a pop record that could reach a wider audience than his "more heady" things... and it's clear he studied the pop scene--for what is has, what it doesnt have, what it needs, and how to communicate with its audience--in doing so.

Prince wasn't really playin the fender rhodes keyboard or making rimshot songs until The Rainbow Children (96's Emancipation thru 99's Rave featured programmed beats and synths), but that organic style of r&b had ALREADY been brought back to the fore by Erykah Badu and D'Angelo in 96. Now is that an influence? are you gonna say Prince was not maybe inspired by the popularity of that style to give it a try (even if it was a partial harkening back to stuff he himself had done in the past)? That's just one example. There are many more.

17ways69days said:

THIS IS THE CRAZIEST THING I HEARD, HE MEANS OF THE MUSIC NOW, BUT DURING THE ONA TOUR HE PLAYED MUSIC FORM SANTANA, JONI MITCHELL, JIMI HENDRIX, LED ZEPPELIN, MILES DAVIS, DURING THE MUSICOLOGY SPECIAL HE PLAYED A CHAKA KHAN SONG, DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE, OF COURSE PRINCE IS INFLUENCED BY OTHER PEOPLE, HOW LONG WAS HIS LIPS ON LARRY'S ASS, THE WRITINGS ON THE WALL

i think princes ego stops him from excepting songs from other artists and songwriters cause he thinks he dont need other peoples songs but the charts dont lie and he deperately needs a hit single does it really matter if prince write it i dont think so

Well if it is really what you think then you don't know shit about Prince. He lstens to new music constantly. People and musicians close to him all say that his musical culture is amazing.

Not only that but he knows music from all over the world.

The same tired response he gives to the same tired question "what do you listen to apart from your own music ?" is just a way to avoid having to name a list of artists over and over again. So boring.

riverdean7 said:

uh...There is a new album that has just been released. You know what it is working extremely well everywhere in the world. And about Prince not writing his music anymore...then that would not be Prince anymore.

GeSmi1 said:

that's about the funniest shit I've ever read on the org (and you know there's loads of hilarious stuff as it is)...

puuuuuhlease tell me you're kidding

Don't believe everything Prince says in interviews. He doesn't tell the truth sometimes, y'know.

RupertZ said:

Exactly. Well said. Besides...before you can criticize anyone else's music and make comments about the music biz....you have to atleast listen to something....so...he's listening.

Gold319 said:

Mayte had him hipping to new music back then with the rest of the band..
Today Prince only listening to his own music is only one of his problems.

all of you just trip too much!

how many people do you know who dont listen to music?!

To be truely inspired you need to listen to others for that inpiration!

im sure Pman listens to others! that's a ridculous interview. it may be a mis quote or just taken outta context. besides where did this snippet of the interview come from?

anyway who cares. whether he listens to others or not is his choice. Our choice is about who we listen to and who we're inspired by.

You're pretty naive to believe EVERYTHING you read.

Peace

Of course he listens to other music - so long as it is is good REAL music I guess!!
He likes Nelly Furtado, Beyonce, Alicia Keyes.....

My friend Jeff Lorez once played a game of 'Name That Tune' with Prince when he interviewed him at Paisley - they were coming out with all the old sckool funk and classics too.

K

17ways69days said:

Dont kid yourself - He hears other music

BinaryJustin said:

Hell, it's a dirty job - but someone's gotta do it!

During the 2002 Celebration, in Studio 1 (or is it now 2? Not sure), of Paisley Park, Prince's very own cd collection is scattered about. I remember seeing the usual funk and soul influences from JB to Sly Stone and an Elvis box-set, I'm sure.

Anyway, this wasn't long after Michael Jackson's 'Invincible' came out and there - on the shelf - was a copy of it. I was quite intrigued to know what P might think about it so I asked one his employees what he thought of his so-called rival's latest joint. All I got was a I don't think he was that impressed (!).

Even though Prince may claim he doesn't listen to anybody else's music - and in some ways, I think that's quite a beautiful, romantic image that, as I'm sure he's aware, only adds to the Prince 'mystique' - I'm sure he doesn't live in some musical vacuum. Not only does he love the music he makes, but anyone can tell he loves music - full stop. I'm no musical genius - I can't even play a note, to be honest - but, as much as I LOVE Prince's music (and that's an understatement) there's no WAY I could stop listening to other artists. And I'm sure Prince is the same, too.

(Even if all I have done for the last 3 weeks is listen to Musicology and nothing else!!! )

Seems he listens to Outkast and Alicia Keys.

mrdespues said:

-----
How could Eric Leeds turn Prince on the Miles when Prince's dad was a jazz muscian?

Does not make sense when you think about it.

Give me one good reason why Prince would not be telling the truth? He’s worried about

hurting someone’s feelings by not mentioning them? Why not just respond “I listen to

everything like…” No doubt Prince listens to a little bit here and there but he probably

does not listen enough to anyone group or her person for him to shout out someone. And

of course we all know the man listened to EWF, Sly, James, Curtis, Joni, Jim, Santana

but is he still listening to these folks? And, more importantly, is he listening to other

people? The proof is not in the answer P. gives, it’s in the music. Listen to Musicology

and tell me – who’s the single biggest inspiration?

Wait a second ... there was a thread here recently about someone sitting close to Prince on a plane ride. They said he was listening to the new Janet Jackson and the new Usher CDs.

He may not mention these things because 1.) he was not that impressed and/or 2.) he does not wish to give them free promotion.