Comments on: PRINCE ARTICLE: Why the silence on MJ's death?

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:09:23 +0000

For that matter, Where was elizabeth taylor’s tribute? They were friends? And Diana Ross? Maybe I missed them.

By: Tola

Tola — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:17:49 +0000

Thanks Realm. My comment/query had nothing to do with being of African-American descent and I would never put that forward as the basis for Prince making a comment. My worldview is certainly not dominated by ethnicity, as it is for some, in that sense. Neither do I encourage the scoring of ‘brownie points’ as you put it as that would be highly cynical. My reasons for being baffled are clearly stated in my original post and/or my responses. For what it’s worth I doubt any respects were even paid in private although none of us can prove it. Besides that, so much time has now lapsed since MJ’s death (and when I originally put up this post), I think the moment has passed and Prince making a comment no longer has the relevance, at least for me personally, it might once have had.

Shalom, T x

By: realm

realm — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:24:34 +0000

Call me late on the uptake for this thread, but are you serious? You can’t seriously expect every TV, Film and Music personality of African-American origins to pay tribute to MJ? We all loved him and his music and his work will be remebered forever, but every possible ode to MJ has been made in the public domain. Those who opt to pay their respects away from the public eye – I say good for them – MJ’s death is not a time to gain publicity brownie points for other Celebs.

By: christopher

christopher — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:48:48 +0000

this thread is as dead as MJ, and as contrived as his noses.

By: Tola

Tola — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:01:48 +0000

And you know Prince isn’t shady, because….what? You like him? I wish some of you Prince fans will leave the aspersions and character assassinations off this post. In regards to MJ’s drug habit, it’s a pity if it’s true. Nevertheless name me a rock star- even the man you wish to defend – who hasn’t had a substance problem. Prince himself hardly has a squeaky clean reputation. As I said show respect for the dead. Unless you have proof of your claims that MJ was threatening to buy Prince back catalogue leave the bitchiness aside. The man’s not alive to defend himself. Comments like these and quoting some makeshift philosophies by Prince do nothing except make his fans look as unreasonable as the man himself appears to be at times. You do him no favours at all. The topic is why hasn’t Prince commented on MJ’s death not ‘Who was better?’ nor ‘Why Prince fans are annoyed the world doesn’t love him the same way they loved MJ?’

By: Innocentbistander

Innocentbistander — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:13:03 +0000

heres the deal. I loooved MJ..but in all honesty, he was shady. It is hard to say, and even harder to read im sure. but its the truth. heres another one..he was a junkie. He also threatened to buy up Prince’s catalog of music, after Prince declined going on tour with him. Obviously Prince has some insight on MJ that the general public didnt. Prince is quiet probably because he admired MJ, HIS ONLY COMPETITION, and he knew how shady MJ was. thats it. in a nutshell.
heres 2 Prince lines… “there are no Kings on this Earth, only Princes’” and another..”you must become a Prince before your King anyway”..it goes on.

By: d'nyce

d'nyce — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:19:57 +0000

Tola, well said!

By: tahirah

tahirah — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:58:43 +0000

Co-signs with everything Tola said…in her post and to iGlad.

By: Tolita

Tolita — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:51:10 +0000

IGlad, I don’t always respond to every post on my blogs but I’m sorry, your puerile diatribe needed some serious correction.

No one would dispute Prince’s genius. However MJ had his own. He might not play every instrument under the sun like Prince but he too was innovative. MJ was a pioneer in a way that his contemporaries were not, especially visually. I’d argue too MJ was always vocally more impressive than Prince. Yep Prince also has a wide vocal range but his voice was, at least to me, never as pure in its beauty or as special as MJ’s. And your strange assertion that MJ’s voice got more ‘squeaky’ as his skin got whiter is madness. MJ’s voice got deeper with age, as is prone to happen. Now you’re just making things up.

MJ also had accessibility that the Purple one does not. Prince comes over as aloof and rather conceited. At least when MJ did address his fans it was with a level of humility. Plus MJ had something for all ages. He thought like a child so he knew how to create performance magic that delighted children. He had hits that the grown ups could also enjoy. Prince has mainly been preoccupied with his sexual prowess, hardly a subject that is suitable for all. As much as Prince is revered by many there are still who have no musical connection to the guy; he has made little or no impact on their consciousness. I doubt however there is anyone familiar with popular music who has not been touched by an MJ song and has their favourite, even if it’s just one.

I agree with you that MJ’s earlier output was stronger but you would be deluding yourself if you feel it’s different for Prince. MJ at least left breaks between his albums. Prince for a while insisted on releasing albums each year despite the deterioration in his material. If MJ is/was living off past glory (and what a glory it was) then Prince is just as guilty. ‘Musicology’ aside, how many singles post ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World’ does anyone bar diehard Prince fans know or care about? ‘Bad’ might have been the last great MJ album but at least he occasionally could still capture the imagination of the general public after that.

One last thing. You might feel safe leaving your child with Prince but I know many who wouldn’t. True, he was not accused of child molestation but many regard him as a slightly sinister oddity regardless of his talent.

No one’s asking you to choose between the two and there’s no need to denigrate MJ in your appreciation of Prince. It’s as if you begrudge the fact Prince isn’t rated as highly as MJ on a widespread scale. Well, tough. Don’t mistake your opinions/resentments for fact. We’re all entitled to our preferences but please keep your disrespect of the dead to yourself.

Shalom x

By: iglad

iglad — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:06:12 +0000

What have Prince and MJ goit in common absolutely nothing. MJ had a great voice when he was young but as he got older and whiter it turned into a high pitched squeal. Prince on the other-hand has been a musical genius, writing, playing and performing like the legend he is. Also he’s wise with his money and I’d leave my kids in a room with him unlike MJ who was not the King of Pop, made 3 good albums off the wall thriller and bad but could not do another bit like Elvis living on past glories. A few words from prince why when his music says it all.