whatsgoingon said:

You know, I'm not in denial about racism within the music industry. I'm well aware that it exists to some degree. But you have to take into account the rise of rap and hip-hop throughout the 80s and 90s. It is not impossible for black artists to become mega-successful these days. Yes, you could argue that the majority of them are male. But Missy Elliot? Mary J? They're not exactly your typical glamour girls, are they. Nor are they particularly light skinned. And yet they made it. So it can be done.

sextonseven said:

People fawn over their looks...not their music, therefore they were tolerated. Their looks compsenated for their lack of talent If Tamar looked liked Vanity, it wouldn't matter that her music wasn't that great, she would not get the kind of venom spewed at her that she currently gets.

PurpleCharm said:

All of Prince's female protogees get ripped apart on here. Some more than others. Right now, Tamar is getting the most attention, therefore she gets ripped on the most. Prince fambots put him on a pedistal above most women and keep him there. Anyone sharing a stage with him will be hated on profusely.

BlaqueKnight said:

Mayte, Apollonia and Vanity get ripped on here?

I think India is more real. Though I enjoy Alicia's music, well some of it, between the two India is my favorite.
I don't know if she'd be more popular if she was light skinned. Probably, and if she put more emphasis on sexuality, definitely.
I sometimes wonder if Tamar would get dissed less in the Prince forum if she were light skinned. For the short amount of time she's been working with Prince, some have developed a huge amount of dislike for her.

PurpleCharm said:

Mayte has been SHREDDED on here many times. Apollonia and Vanity are less relevant because their Prince association ended in the 80s but they always get reduced to nothing more than pretty faces.
[Edited 6/29/06 8:58am]

BlaqueKnight said:

Ok, I guess we view things differently because I see tons of Vanity, Mayte and Apollonia appreciation threads. And about the pretty face thing, that's what I have been saying. Their looks compsentated for their lack of talent, hence the reason that many fans adore them despite the fact that they couldn't sing.

I thought this thread was about looks.

PurpleCharm said:

In regards to looks, Mayte has been shreeded on here before. As far as I know, Vanity has never been ripped apart but honestly, how could she be? She's not unattractive by mainstream standards. She was a measure of attractiveness in the 80s. Also the general public wasn't as meticulously critical as it is nowadays.
There were many debates over Mayte, especially when she & Prince first got married.
Most of the Mayte and Apollonia appreciation threads have been started by Krystal666.
I know she's reading this.
Apples doesn't get discussed around here much.

There's a lot of racial bias among Prince fans as well as people in general. It still goes back to what I said earlier about racial ambiguity. I'm sure there's a segment of Prince fans who would rather see him pushing DJ Rashida more than Tamar because in their minds they'd "look better together on stage" or some dumb shit like that. Pretty is held in high regards in the pretentious pop world. India has substance but in all honesty, she AND Alicia Keys kinda bore me. Their music doesn't pull me in. I liked "Karma" by Alicia but granola soul in general kinda bores me. Folky artists aren't my fort'e.

Huh. If India were lighter, she wouldn't be India. And, we'd be the lesser for it.

Hers is a different kind of light to shine, and she shines it well.

theAudience, you're slippin', man...

NDRU said:

India is doing that same kinda neo-earth loving granola soul.....Erika Badu had all ready done that 2 years before. It is not that India is not talented, to me what she is doing has been done before. Alicia, whom I have seen live a number of times, brings something different to the table.

Yeah, I don't like Alicia, but she's got more massive star quality.

I was going to mention Badu. She's more similar in style to India than Alicia, but she's more popular than India because she's cooler, her songs are better (in my opinion), she's got a more distinctive (if more derivative) singing style, and she's not afraid to use her sex appeal.

I think India's really the only thing holding India back, and she's doing pretty well anyway.

NDRU said:

I agree with this entire post. India avoids making any sort of sexual connection with her audience while Erykah is very feminine while still being storng. I preer Miss Badu over India or Alicia or Corrine musically.

BlaqueKnight said:

I prefer Badu to all of them too. Plus, I believe she is more exquisite than Alicia or India, light-skin or no light-skin...

whatsgoingon said:

Yep, Badu takes them all.

whatsgoingon said:

Yep, Badu takes them all.

PurpleCharm said:

The Twinz seem to be hated on a lot and they have that more typical Prince protege look.

As far as that goes though, I think Tamar is far more beautiful than the "Twinz".

minneapolisgenius said:

I believe that attractive well-built dark-skinned women intimidate some folks on a number of levels.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

minneapolisgenius said:

I believe that attractive well-built dark-skinned women intimidate some folks on a number of levels.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Perhaps. I just think she's very unique looking and has gorgeous skin.

theghostoftonym said:

Let me guess...you're 16, right?

theghostoftonym said

:

No, it's just ridiculously obvious that you aren't familiar with India's music. I'm willing to bet your ISP payment that you don't own ANY of India's albums. Try "Voyage To India" and then you will HOPEFULLY understand that the sista can write insightful lyrics. But what's funny as fuck is how you sit there and try and pump up Alicia's "lyrical prowess" when her shit is pretty sophomoric, that's why I assume you're not too mature or older than 17.

Alicia's 1st album was so bubble-gum that it ain't even funny. "I think I'm jealous of your girlfriend" - what kinda shit is that? Alicia fooled us with "Fallen" becuase we thought here's a young sista with an old soul but the rest of her album was pretty much high scool shit.

Some people need to learn about music before they show up here.

StoneCrib said:

StoneCrib said:

lilgish said:

Bingo!

I am almost 100% certain that if Tamar had looks like the Twinz, Beyonce or Alicia Keys and had the same level of talent that she has, the hate-fest against her would not even exist. No one would question why P was so "into" her. She would be welcomed with open arms, but because she doesn't she has become the 2006 version of Larry Graham. Society is more forgiving of a persons shortcomings if they have the kind of looks that society deems as beautiful.

Tamar can clearly sing circles around most of P's female proteges, but yet she gets dogged to hell, while the fans still fawn over the likes of Carmen, Vanity, Apollonia and Mayte.

P got his fans working up a Black Sweat trying to figure out what's so special about Tamar...a thick, dark-skinned sister...not bi-racial, latina or white, but straight up black with no chaser. He got her shaking that ass just like the Twinz, instead of sitting off to the side playing the keyboards like Rosie or Bonnie...and the fans can't handle it.

[Edited 6/28/06 21:23pm]