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Printableonenitealone said: 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!!!  )I think that is a perfect example. There is lots of music I hear; going here and there, on TV, music videos, the music friends have. However, when people ask me what I listen to, I don't spit out everything that's hit my ears in the last two weeks. I state who I have and want to find out more about. I heard Invincible, my bro has it, but I don't say I listen to MJ. | |
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Jasziah said: 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.Right! Now that's what I heard. I heard he always has a Cd player or some sort of portable device with music on it. I read that he's been listening to Usher, Alicia, and Lauryn Hill alot, while he's traveling (particularly during flights). Yet unlike other humans, Prince probably has 20 hour days frequently (especially touring), so ofcourse he's gonna hear most of his own stuff. Even when he's not touring, he's writing, so yeah, not much else gets to come across his ear. At the sametime, Prince is the perfect person to have a converstation with about 'the old school'; Aretha, Stevie, EWF, Sly, Chaka. His musical genius goes beyond writing and performing, if there was a music quiz show like Jeopardy, Prince would win hands down. Last night, Sway (MTV) asked him what he's been listening to, he said Outkast and Alicia. I wouldn't take one sentence from an interview and try to formulate the person's opinion off that. Blue  | |
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djcreep said: 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.
Prince has been influenced by the past, but Prince gets his inspiration from everything in the world around him... the present. That's what artists do -- they "see" things and either emulate it or react to it or against it. If Prince ONLY listened to his own music and was NEVER inspired by the musicworld, then why did he start incorporating rap into his songs? Where'd that come from? Isn't it kinda odd that he didn't start rapping until after rap started gaining worldwide prominence? edit: typo [This message was edited Thu Apr 29 9:56:23 2004 by Jasziah] | |
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17ways69days said: 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!!! I think you take this too literal. He obviously listens to others. He's been known to listen to Beyonce, D'Angelo, Erykah, Nikka Costa, Outkast and Alicia Keys. There was a post on here recently saying he checked out Janet and Usher's cd as well. Dude goes to club performances of a good amount of artists as well. I remember reading another report about him buying out almost every Marbin Gaye cd in some record store. I just think he means that he doesn't get a chance to check out every new artist like the everyday buying public does. You'd be surprised on how many musicians don't like to listen to certain artists while they are creating new music. Many don't want to come off sounding too similar or having it influence them TOO much | |
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Jasziah said: If Prince ONLY listened to his own music and was NEVER inspired by the musicworld, then why did he start incorporating rap into his songs? Where'd that come from? Isn't it kinda odd that he didn't start rapping until after rap started gaining worldwide prominence?
He was listening to rap in the early days, just listen to Sign O The Times tour concerts and some of his own songs from these days! Of course Prince listens to other music...   | |
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PaisleyPark said: Jasziah said: If Prince ONLY listened to his own music and was NEVER inspired by the musicworld, then why did he start incorporating rap into his songs? Where'd that come from? Isn't it kinda odd that he didn't start rapping until after rap started gaining worldwide prominence?
He was listening to rap in the early days, just listen to Sign O The Times tour concerts and some of his own songs from these days! Of course Prince listens to other music... I’m glad you brought up rap. Think about that, what does P. know about rap? What rap did P. ever listen to? If you take Musicology literally than Jam Master Jay and Chuck D. are representative of all that’s good in rap!? I get the feeling that P. listened to Run DMC when JMJ was killed and that he was into Chuck D. right around Fear of a Black Planet. I would bet that both “King of Rock” and “Takes a Nation of Millions…” passed right on by P. I bet P. has never heard a full Erik B. and Rakim record, a Nas record, a Big Daddy Kane record. I bet he’s not into BDP, probably can’t even recite one KRS1 lyric. The list goes on – point is, P.’s knowledge is probably superficial at best and that’s reflected in his own piss poor style on the mic. Again, Musicology is all the proof you need that P. needs to really start listening seriously to other music. Musicology is good but it’s sterile – but that’s what happens when you are your biggest inspiration (by a long ass shot). ego tripping out | |
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Prince said in the interview he likes Alicia Keyes & Outkast also... | |
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laurarichardson said: mrdespues said: 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. ----- 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. Yes it does. The fact that Prince's dad was a jazz muso does not mean that his dad turned him on to Miles at all. | |
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17ways69days said: PaisleyPark said: He was listening to rap in the early days, just listen to Sign O The Times tour concerts and some of his own songs from these days! Of course Prince listens to other music... I’m glad you brought up rap. Think about that, what does P. know about rap? What rap did P. ever listen to? If you take Musicology literally than Jam Master Jay and Chuck D. are representative of all that’s good in rap!? I get the feeling that P. listened to Run DMC when JMJ was killed and that he was into Chuck D. right around Fear of a Black Planet. I would bet that both “King of Rock” and “Takes a Nation of Millions…” passed right on by P. I bet P. has never heard a full Erik B. and Rakim record, a Nas record, a Big Daddy Kane record. I bet he’s not into BDP, probably can’t even recite one KRS1 lyric. The list goes on – point is, P.’s knowledge is probably superficial at best and that’s reflected in his own piss poor style on the mic. Again, Musicology is all the proof you need that P. needs to really start listening seriously to other music. Musicology is good but it’s sterile – but that’s what happens when you are your biggest inspiration (by a long ass shot). ----- P.E. and Run-DMC were the best rap group. P name checks the best Hip-Hop ever offered. P needs to listen Nas and Little Jon like he needs a spike in his head. | |
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mrdespues said: laurarichardson 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. Yes it does. The fact that Prince's dad was a jazz muso does not mean that his dad turned him on to Miles at all. ----- Well Prince has mentioned that he his parents not only played jazz they listened to it. There is a section in Possessed were one of his employees talks about Prince introducing Miles to his dad. Don't you think his Dad might have been a fan. Sometimes black people don't need white people to introduce us to our own music. | |
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Damn ya'll see no problem with Prince either listening to people to P. derived acts like A.
Keys and Outkast or crap like Usher? I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say that P.’s knowledge of contemporary music today is superficial at best. P. still does not know shit about rap and clearly he’s never thought rap important enough to really listen to it seriously. In fact, I think the only musician P. takes seriously is himself. His sound is insular and sterile and seriously folks while Musicology is good it’s as stale. Shit, I’ve tasted the same ass meal twenty years ago only it was a lot better – so much better that I can still eat that meal Musicology is stale by comparison. ego tripping out | |
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If the person (17?69? what ever) who first asked the question, has a definate answer
WHAT is IT?? Who is out now that Prince should sound like, VanHunt, Javier, P. Diddy acolytes, N.E.R.D.? What producer/s should he consult for an up to date sound? The NEPS are played out, Timbaland/Missy   , Dr. Dre-who is soooo busy he can't make a Chronic 1&2 follow up-? The only producer/s out that are considerable peers ar e Jimmy & Terry or Rick Rubin. Outside of those mentioned, Prince is fine on his own,
really. Jeux Sans Frontiers | |
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laurarichardson said: 17ways69days said: I’m glad you brought up rap. Think about that, what does P. know about rap? What rap did P. ever listen to? If you take Musicology literally than Jam Master Jay and Chuck D. are representative of all that’s good in rap!? I get the feeling that P. listened to Run DMC when JMJ was killed and that he was into Chuck D. right around Fear of a Black Planet. I would bet that both “King of Rock” and “Takes a Nation of Millions…” passed right on by P. I bet P. has never heard a full Erik B. and Rakim record, a Nas record, a Big Daddy Kane record. I bet he’s not into BDP, probably can’t even recite one KRS1 lyric. The list goes on – point is, P.’s knowledge is probably superficial at best and that’s reflected in his own piss poor style on the mic. Again, Musicology is all the proof you need that P. needs to really start listening seriously to other music. Musicology is good but it’s sterile – but that’s what happens when you are your biggest inspiration (by a long ass shot). ----- P.E. and Run-DMC were the best rap group. P name checks the best Hip-Hop ever offered. P needs to listen Nas and Little Jon like he needs a spike in his head. Damn bro - you're equating Nas with Lil Jon? That aint right? And you think PE and Run DMC are the best two rap groups? BDP? BDK? Eric B. and Rakim? 2pac? Notorious Big? Please, it’s not that clear and most, including myself, would seriously disagree. But I’m not going to get into that with you here – you want to talk rap, just send me note. Relevant fact for this post: Prince can’t rap. ego tripping out | |
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" Mynameisspmarc said: If the person (17?69? what ever) who first asked the question, has a definate answer
WHAT is IT?? Who is out now that Prince should sound like, VanHunt, Javier, P. Diddy acolytes, N.E.R.D.? What producer/s should he consult for an up to date sound? The NEPS are played out, Timbaland/Missy , Dr. Dre-who is soooo busy he can't make a Chronic 1&2 follow up-? The only producer/s out that are considerable peers ar e Jimmy & Terry or Rick Rubin. Outside of those mentioned, Prince is fine on his own,
really. "Mynameisspmarcwwhatthefuck?!" point is not that P. needs help with production. Just that P. needs to realize that he aint the messiah of music and that other people got shit to tell him. I think he probably listens to most music long enough for him to convince himself that they aint got shit to offer. Now tell me how long do you think that process takes. P.’s knowledge of music, the music he has “mastered” is superficial. ego tripping out | |
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laurarichardson said: mrdespues said: Yes it does. The fact that Prince's dad was a jazz muso does not mean that his dad turned him on to Miles at all. ----- Well Prince has mentioned that he his parents not only played jazz they listened to it. There is a section in Possessed were one of his employees talks about Prince introducing Miles to his dad. Don't you think his Dad might have been a fan. Sometimes black people don't need white people to introduce us to our own music. possibly, but there is a section of possessed which states that eric leeds turned prince on to miles, coltrane and others. just because prince was schooled in jazz first from his father, doesn't mean that his father was into the type of jazz of miles or coltrane and therefore doesn't mean that his dad turned him on to them. i think prince had a fair knowledge of jazz from his father, but much better knowledge after, as the book says, leeds turned him on to miles. | |
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..I dont think Prince thinks he is the messiah of music.....He's a creator; in and of himself. Alot of great artists work without other influences...some prefer inspiration,our boi just doesn't seem to fall in that category...besides, his life is his music..something he makes...not to mention makes his living with..why wouldn't he immerse himself in it...he lives, eats and breathes by HIS music..how wonderful it must be that your talent is your livelyhood and, as may be the case with Prince, the very reason for existance.... | |
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Prince needs to listen to some Tool or A Perfect Circle....and dig it. "You need people like me so you can point your fuckin' fingers and say, "That's the bad guy." "
Al Pacino- Scarface | |
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17ways69days said: "Mynameisspmarcwwhatthefuck?!" point is not that P. needs help with production. Just that P. needs to realize that he aint the messiah of music and that other people got shit to tell him. I think he probably listens to most music long enough for him to convince himself that they aint got shit to offer. Now tell me how long do you think that process takes. P.’s knowledge of music, the music he has “mastered” is superficial. You're problem seems to be not that Prince doesn't listen to other artists, but that you don't think that he listens to the artists that you think he should listen to. (Of course this is all conjecture unless you sit and watch Prince whenever he listens to music) Since Prince is a working, fairly successful musician I would hope that his own music is at the top of his playlist. Still, considering the wide array of artists he's recorded with, acknowledged, name-checked, or performed with( Erykah Badu, Gwen Stefani, Chaka, Madonna, Common, Outkast, Norah Jones, ?uestlove, Lenny Kravitz, The Beatles, Beyonce, Eve, Miles freaking Davis, MJ, TTD, Nikka Costa, George Clinton, Trent Reznor, blahbalahblahbah..... ) Based on that alone, I think it's fair to say that the dude probably owns at least a few cd's that don't have his name on them. . [This message was edited Thu Apr 29 23:07:29 2004 by Universaluv] | |
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bananacologne said: BinaryJustin said: 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?
Hell, it's a dirty job - but someone's gotta do it!   im feelin that!! [This message was edited Thu Apr 29 21:27:47 2004 by ultrraviolette] ...:...Must I become naked?
No image at all? Shall I remain upright? Or get down and crawl?...:... | |
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Of course P listens to other people. On that special last night he mentioned that thhe new music he was into was Outkast & Alicia Keys. But he complained that a lot of the new groups of today lacked musicianship. That's one of the main reasons why he's back in the spotlight. To take the young'uns to school.
Too bad he's never heard of The Dismemberment Plan. That was a great band. NEW WAVE FOREVER: SLAVE TO THE WAVE FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE. | |
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R U kidding me? Prince's music is not "stale" it is pure and total from his soul. He doesn't just listen to "himself" I'm sure that he has inspiration from many sources, many memories, and also from the highest source, God. You don't need to "listen" to anything else, when you can hear God. It's all cool though, just don't knock somebody because they don't want to go with the flow, or blend in, because there are some that weren't made to "fit in" those are the ones that are here to lead and guide others! | |
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The Man is hitting a Grand Slam & making about $1.4 Million on every Concert.
Where is the Problem??
If he is making money theres NO problem!! Because Prince has done what he has wanted BEFORE he even got a record deal! The Industry told him at 15 what they wanted.. HE said NO and waited. So we know his music is all him & what he wants to do! I mean Prince has done & said everything he ever wanted to for 25 years 
The Org | |
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PurpleRainGizmo said: R U kidding me? Prince's music is not "stale" it is pure and total from his soul. He doesn't just listen to "himself" I'm sure that he has inspiration from many sources, many memories, and also from the highest source, God. You don't need to "listen" to anything else, when you can hear God. It's all cool though, just don't knock somebody because they don't want to go with the flow, or blend in, because there are some that weren't made to "fit in" those are the ones that are here to lead and guide others!
I think what the point of the thread is that music is evolving today into one pulse of vibrant energy. Compared to the much of the great music coming out every day.. Prince's sound is like super-stale | |
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well considering that not many of the artists nowadays actually make their own music...and prince thinks that the music business is now jaded, and theres a lack of talent...it would be questionable for him to litsen to this music...the only people that he says he sometimes listens to are alicia keys...diangalo and outkast...he "digs them" "Too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay"
-Prince | |
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Occasionally Prince says something stupid in interviews. Its hard not to when you're trying to be suave with every sentence. This was just another one, along with there not being much talent among the youth of today and "don't vote". Prince listens to others' music. Only a fool would believe that he doesn't. I'm not gonna try to guess what he listens to, cause I don't care but I know he listens to (and always has) contemporary R&B because it shows up in what he writes. He doesn't like to mention names because his ego won't let him. It destroys the "all roads lead to Prince" falsehood that so many die-hards have built for him. As was pointed out earlier, his lame attempts at rap prove that he LISTENS, but it also shows his limitations. He doesn't have his ear to the street, or else he'd know that there's a lot more going on in smaller music circles and a lot of lesser-known artists who display mountains of talent. Pop music reigns the airwaves for the most part and anyone listening to Clear Channel stations are only gonna get fed the same 40 songs a day year round. How else are you gonna know your other choices unless you LOOK for them? He listens, but will his ego allow him to seek and understand others' work? | |
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Oh come on. prince makes himself look like a stuck up egotist when he says crap like that. he refrences in his lyrics he hears his songs on the radio, he comments on other artists regardlessly if it's good or bad, and he obviously listens to his old music or it wouldn't appear on current releases. It burns me up when he says stuff like that. _________________________________________
You'll find the back of my hand displeasing. (Shake) The bun is in your mind. (Meatwad) | |
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NuPwrSoul said: djcreep said: 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
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.  I listened to Musicology straight through without stopping. I knew immediately that Musicology wasnt really geared toward the hardcore Prince audience, and I understood what Prince wanted to accomplish. As far as other Artists are concerned, maybe Prince wants to work with some other artists, and he's looking for the most flexible talents. Of course he listens to other artists, because he is a true artist, and a true artist will appreciate all art. I wish he would produce some stuff for janet, her cds sound worse and worse every year. She does the best with what she has, she's not a pure singer, but is more of a stylist..The road you choose to walk in this life, is a road that leads to the next..... | |
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Well, Prince is NOT out Of Touch with What's Happening. He's Still Up on it! So like he's got it GOING On Still. He has Lost Nothing ya Know. He Listens to other Artists and he Knows What's Cool or Hip! I don't Think Prince has a PROBLEM at All! What Problem? He's Selling Shows Left and Right and making Shi^loads of $$$ . What Problem does he Have Now? I would say he's Delirious and Happy as Pie for Being This Sucessful. I think he Should be. He has So Much of his Fans Love. He's Very Lucky and Blessed. I Don't See a Problem... This is a Great Time for him. He's doing Great. But well Prince is One Smart Cookie. He Always Wins... | |
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