I don't know how people can say there are no relevant artists today. Maybe it's because Im young but there are plenty of artist to dig today, live or studio ... As much as I think Prince is a genius, he does not make all the kind of music that I like to listen to ... music is not all about r&b, funk & rock (Im just being extra)
[Edited 8/21/09 11:16am]

Cotontige said:

Like?

L0tusFl0w3r said:[quote]

vainandy said:

Let's see....Prince has not only made R&B, funk, and rock, but he's also made disco (I Wanna Be Your Lover) and house/dance (The Human Body). So Prince has covered all the genres that matter and are worth a damn. Yep, I'd say he's covered it all.

Graycap23 said:

That's what I wanna know. What music does Prince make that you like? Are you even a fan?
[Edited 8/21/09 11:57am]

vainandy said:

I feel sorry for you man ! There are a all of bunch of other styles that worth a listen ! But think what you want guy.

purplecam said:

Im not a fan, I think is a great artist, on of the greatest . Well, I like when he make it funky, I like when he rock it out, his early R&B stuff are good too (favorite albums : 1999, The Black album, Dirty Mind)

Like ? Hell, even Prince recognized that there are still talents in the music industry, not long ago he was talking about how he was impressed by this jazz cat, Esperanza Spalding, her last album was great, but I guess jazz does not matter ...
[Edited 8/21/09 12:28pm]

He's done some jazzy type stuff on "The Rainbow Children" and even that horrible "NEWS" album. He's gone classical with "Karma Sutra". He's also done too many shit hop songs to name. Yeah, he's done plenty of genres that he should have never done except for country and he needs to stay away from that too.

vainandy said:

that's what Im talking about, he freaks a certain type of songs, but it's not like he can give me all that I searchg in music

Cotontige said:

that's what Im talking about, he freaks a certain type of songs, but it's not like he can give me all that Im looking for in music
[Edited 8/21/09 12:33pm]

Cotontige said:

Nobody can.....

Well he's given me every genre I like and that's what matters because the satisfaction of Andy should be the main focus on any artist's mind when they are recording. Why? Because I'm the one and only Andy. The problem is he's giving me other genres that I don't like and that's album space that could have been put to better use with genres that I do like. I'm gonna have to get on his ass about pleasing other people besides me when he knows good and damn well that I come first.

LOOOOL

Im sure he only thinks about you when he records
[Edited 8/21/09 12:43pm]

Cotontige said:

Cool that you recognize the genius in the man but I wonder, why come to a site for someone you're not a fan of? Not trying to be a prick at all but I don't understand that.

purplecam said:

The bigger the headache.....the BIGGER the pill.

Graycap23 said:

Tour dates, news, meeting knowledgeable people ... sorry for not being a "real" fan though but there's something about "being a fan" that I don't like

I wanna be your lover is hardly disco.

If it were to you, you would use him as a robot that acts like Rick James version 2.0 isnt it?

I kinda see Prince as The last great genius I think the landscape has completely changed young kids coming up in 'popular music' tend to be rappers and R&B type stuff I don't see anyone else coming up who can do what Prince does. It's sad really

soulyacolia said:

It really is sad.

Cotontige said:

Ummm, ok.

But, on topic again.

IMO the OP's question doesnt make real sense. Because, what level that is? what makes Prince so special? You simply can't apply the musician Prince unto all musicians that came before of after him. They are like apples and pears, mango's and grapes.

I admire the musician Prince for his ability to mix musicial genres, for his ability to program intricated drum beats, for his ability to present a rather intelligent, avantgardistic composition as as catchy pop-song.
Those are his strengths.

But... it doesnt mean he automatically touches me on a gut-level with his music, or on a spiritual level, or in terms of the craftmanship of songwriting.

I like his (eighties) music for certain reasons, but it doesnt mean he covers all aspects of what i look for in a musical experience.

Riverpoet31 said:

Let's face it, there's nobody who has come into the music scene in the last 15 or 20 years who is even remotely on the level of Prince. Prince is not only a musical genius, but he has had over 30 years to perfect and formulate his craft.

Having said that, are there any younger or more current artists who, if they stay in the music biz, could rise to the level of a musical genius on the level of, say Prince, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, U2, Tupac, etc., there are a few. I'd put Radiohead as one of the greatest bands of the past 15 years, and D'Angelo has always been on the cusp of greatness, but he hasn't done anything since 2000. P.J. Harvey has been one of the most compelling female artists during the same period. And Maxwell has been one of the most pre-eminent artists of the neo-soul movement. Plus don't overlook Van Hunt, Meshell N'Degeocello, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Mos Def, and even bigger acts like Coldplay, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott to some extent.

...

IMO, Lewis Taylor could've been a contender, but he took himself out of the mix...

Everyone from D'Angelo to Elton John, to Chaka Khan, to David Bowie was singing his praises, but everytime he began to get close to success, he'd head the other way...oh, well.....




...

sinisterpentatonic said:

Thats right

I'm not jumping on the "they ALL suck" bandwagon and I'm not even a Prince STAN either, but even my fave artists from this era ain't even trying hard enough for me to root for them,,,,,let alone putting them in THAT level. Mind you, I'm not blaming them alone since record companies nowadays don't give their artists ANY room to grow musically(or even admit in musicianship).

I agree with kenlacam's that the pressure to be compared with Prince is unfair,,,,,but the important question is WHY is there a constant need for them to reach his level as opposed to THEIR level? Prince certainly didn't try to reach Jimi, Sly or James Brown's level even though he was greatly influenced by them.

It really all boils down to lack of individuality which is why musicianship & musical competition is suffering severely nowadays.
[Edited 8/21/09 18:25pm]

roisin murphy is pretty damn good

If by 'on Prince's level' you mean they can play several instruments, write, produce, compose, possess a great vocal range, have sole control of their sound and career; and, can still sell records after almost 30 years...well, than nobody that's out now comes to my mind. Unfortunately, mofos nowadays don't seem to want to play real instruments. They use Pro-tools and autotune with borrowed beats that get over-produced; they either (half-ass) write, 'ghost write', or pay someone else to write lyrics without any real substance or point; and, make songs that are big for a moment and then fade away, all so they can get that quick buck and the number one spot for only ONE week. It seems to be more about the image than the actual music nowadays IMO.

Now, which newer artists do I see as being able to have longevity in the music business like Prince, I'd have to say, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Robin Thicke, Chrisette Michele, Maxwell and John Mayer just to name a few.

I don't think any of them are actually anywhere near Prince's level,...musically. However, I think they can reach Prince's level, success-wise. Just my
[Edited 8/21/09 21:59pm]

estelle81 said:

As if a budding artist like Prince would be embraced by today's industry.

Cinnie said:

Stevie Wonder's music is universal,,,,,but had he emerged in this time & age, he would NEVER survive.

kenlacam said:

Yeah i am a huge Prince fan i think maybe this is the wrong website to post a question like this on really. I didn't really see is as a rhetorical question when i posted it just wanted peoples opinions and i also did want people to consider what artist now will be like in the future ...i mean like you said Prince has been at the music thing many years

Thanks for the reply
[Edited 8/22/09 6:44am]