Hey yall I watched that Rick James video, and thought that was classic Prince. Rick came out in a jumpshit, cavorted with the mic, came on to the dancing girls and pranced about the stage. Also was the Mary Jane girls on stage doing Vanitesque moves, and the bass was pure early Prince, and it was earlier (1979) too. If Slick Rick hadnt screwed up his career with drugs, he would have given Prince a real run for his money, this cat was seriously cool, he had processed dreads when everyone still had afros (the jerri curl not so innovative).
So do u agree with me, Rick James was Prince on drugs!!!

Rick James was Prince before Prince was Prince.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

But Rick James couldn't have been Prince until Prince was Prince, he was Rick James as Rick James and when Prince became Prince it became evident Rick James was Prince as well as Rick James. At no time was Prince Rick James.

Hope that clears things up.



ps, didn't Rick James have a rib removed?

fathermcmeekle said:

maybe it's just me but couldn't it be said that prince became prince in a rick james fashion because rick james was rick james long before prince was prince?

Perhaps this is best discussed on the other artists board..

XxAxX said:

Imagine if you put both of them in the teleporter thing from The Fly and fused them together. Whose head do you think it would have?

tane1976 said:

Delightful.

.

Rick tried to switch to the Prince route with his '88 album "Wonderful." But, it didn't work...

UndercovaBrotha said:

You mean Prince wasn't successful just because of his clothes. Hmmm

roanmairin said:

Naw. The album was a mess.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rick James's music. He was seriously talented but errr...there is alot I really dislike about him. I think he is really sleezy. I'm sure he is a nice person deep down inside and the drugs just clouded his true self but I am Baffled with a capitol B that Vanity was caught between Prince and Rick. I mean...she was so beautiful and I just don't understand. Prince or Rick? Like is this even a choice....I mean what the hell was she thinking?????

Krystal666 said:

COCAINE IS A HELLOVA DRUG both for Vanity and Rick (God rest his soul) .

nurse said:

I guess!

Krystal666 said:

Rick had his issues, so does P. Rick was a bonafide star by the time P came on the scene. That's the ONLY reason P opened up for Rick cuz Rick was trying to help a young brother out. Rick actually dug what P was doing at first. P learned some things being on the road with Rick. If nothing else, he learned what NOT to do.

blackguitaristz said:

i couldnt've said it any better.

They have their similarities. But for the most part they are different as night and day. Rick James is Funk and R&B. Prince is into everything (Although it is interesting that Slick Rick and Neil Young once had a band together. Neil Young!). You can't compare Prince to any artist past or present. He is very unique.

Rick didn't have the talent that P had.

As different as they are, there are many similarities musically from a production standpoint.

They both pioneered using a mixture of acoustic and electronic drum sounds.

They both use that fat, layered, synth-horn sound with the funky twang on it.

Both use that chicken grease funky guitar sound.

GaryMF said:

They both were trying to be Sly Stone and P-Funk

LittleBLUECorvette said:

...

Sounds like some of y'all (not you, LittleBLUE) don't know Rick from when he was THE SHIT

Thumparello said:

i'm not as familiar witht their stuff (other than the big hits), but I didn't think those groups used the synth horns or electornic drums like Rick and P.

Rick James in 1988 doing the ruffles and treach coat Prince look. Charlie Murphy said "It's the shirts against the blouses!"

[Edited 2/24/06 3:22am]

rudeboynpg said:

I don't have a picture of it to post but this also reminds me of the video for "Glow" that Rick did. It was embarrassing how much he obviously wanted to be Prince. I lost a lot of respect for him after that. He was just fine as Rick James. Those drugs must have really screwed up his reality. And why didn't someone at his label nip this in the bud. He looks like some kind of ghetto fabulous pirate or something. Tisk Tisk Real Shame.

blackguitaristz said:

Cool. I didn't know that. Well to me it is pretty obvious that their rivalry was born over a woman-Denise. Musicaly I think they both had alot of respect for eachother. Both of their music is awsome.

CalhounSq said:

Exactly

Prince had more mass appeal and Rick handled it poorly.

Rick was being Rick not Prince. This comparison has been going on for years.Rick had his own style different from Prince. They ars both talented artists. Please research Rick James' career and you will be amazed at who he was. One quick point, Rick did not like being labeled a one sound artist. If you delve into his music you will find musical influences from many styles. Rick was a true artist.Thank You.

Krystal666 said:

Vanity is what came in between 'em ?
That has at least 3 meanings.

Illustrator said:

Rick could never do bambi. And Prince could do any rick´s song.