Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19, soon releasing the albums For You (1978) and Prince (1979). He went on to achieve critical success with the influential albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, and was also the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred. Purple Rain garnered continued success for Prince and was a major commercial achievement, spending six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack also won Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released the album Sign o' the Times (1987), widely hailed by critics as the greatest work of his career. In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the "Love Symbol") and was often referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (or TAFKAP) or simply The Artist.
After signing with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000. Over the next decade, six of his albums entered the U.S. top 10 charts. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material left in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home after his death, including fully completed albums and over 50 finished music videos. He also released songs under multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made popular after being covered by other musicians, most notably "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor and "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Released posthumously, his demo albums Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) and Originals (2019) both received critical acclaim.
Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
Studio albums
For You (1978)
Prince (1979)
Dirty Mind (1980)
Controversy (1981)
1999 (1982)
Purple Rain (1984)
Around the World in a Day (1985)
Parade (1986)
Sign o' the Times (1987)
Lovesexy (1988)
Batman (1989)
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Love Symbol (1992)
Come (1994)
The Black Album (1994)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos and Disorder (1996)
Emancipation (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
The Truth (1998)
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone... (2002)
Xpectation (2003)
N·E·W·S (2003)
The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
The Slaughterhouse (2004)
Musicology (2004)
3121 (2006)
Planet Earth (2007)
Lotusflow3r (2009)
MPLSound (2009)
20Ten (2010)
Plectrumelectrum (2014)
Art Official Age (2014)
HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)
Posthumous releases:
Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018)
Originals (2019)
Welcome 2 America (2021)
Prince also released two albums credited to Madhouse, three albums credited to the New Power Generation, and one credited to the N.P.G. Orchestra:
Madhouse:
8 (1987)
16 (1987)
The New Power Generation:
Goldnigga (1993)
Exodus (1995)
Newpower Soul (1998)
The N.P.G. Orchestra:
Kamasutra (1997)
For Serbian singer Princ, please use Princ.
Funk
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Riesenblocks zum rausgucken, von außen Graffiti aufgedruckt
Früher hieß es, wir hauen uns drum
Heute lassen wir die Crowd entscheiden
Fortschrittliches wird ausgespuckt
Kein fauler Zauber, ist wie überall auch
Wer ein Profi werden will, der braucht ne Ausbildung
Nur die Übung macht den Meister bis die Reime passen wie die Faust aufs Auge
wie es ursprünglich gemeint war
Nicht wie es dich die Industry-People glauben lassen
Es geht nicht um deine Reichtümer, sondern die Aura
Wie viel Gear du auch hast, Stil kann man nicht kaufen
Denn bei vier Himmelsrichtungen, kannst du dich nicht verlaufen
Wenn es immer nur darum geht, geradeaus zu gehen
Danke dem Herrn, dass ich zwar noch Herr meiner Sinne
Aber dafür in der Traumwelt bin, ganz ohne Rauschmittel
Lass es raus, TIP Funk
Von Osten nach Westen bumpt es aus dem Trunk
Ich weiß, ihr wolltet mich am Boden sehen
Doch wenn ich spitte, merkst auch du, wie der Boden bebt, Mann
Karo-Jacken, seit The Chronic im Schrank
Mit Stift und Papier bin ich krank, krank
Hab die Zügel meines Schicksals in der Hand
Und die Schuhe sind Custom, Gott sei Dank
Wer bezahlt für die Dopeness
Ihr kennt ein Inder mit Rap-Skills alles andere ist Showbiz
Was ein Schwindler sagen die
Das ist ein Inder? Nicht mal Hindu
Nicht mal Nachnamen namens Singh
Wetten der frisst Rind,
der soll sich auf sein Nagelbrett legen
Die Erleuchtung finden, dort versinken
Sie hoffen, dass Potenzial schwindet
Doch es steigt exponentiell, wie der Zinseszins
Seit der Adoption, zu etwas Größerem bestimmt
Der Nagel, der nicht eingeschlagen werden darf, wie Yao Ming
Es gibt nur einen King, der am Kreuz hing
Um das Game zu regieren, schickte er einen Findelkind
Spitt' auf funkige Cuts, wie der Bebop-King
Deine ungeschickten Loops sind im Papierkorb drin
Verstehst du, was passiert, wenn du auch mal hinhörst
Schutzwesten helfen nicht, denn mein Zeug geht ins Hirn
Lass es raus, TIP Funk
Von Osten nach Westen bumpt es aus dem Trunk
Ich weiß, ihr wolltet mich am Boden sehen
Doch wenn ich spitte, merkst auch du, wie der Boden bebt, Mann
Karo-Jacken, seit The Chronic im Schrank
Mit Stift und Papier bin ich krank, krank
Hab die Zügel meines Schicksals in der Hand
Und die Schuhe sind Custom, Gott sei Dank
Was wäre Boom-Bap ohne G-Funk-Stimmen
Was wäre Hip-Hop ohne den MPC-Swing
Was ist schon Bling-Bling ohne den Sound von Ching-Ching
Was wäre ein guter Deal ohne den Sinn von Win-Win
Bringe neue Vergleiche, wenn ich am Schreibtisch bin
Weil ich zu Ende denke und dann noch weiterspinn'
Was ich sagen will, Hip-Hop mit mir ist ein Film, der ungekürzt ist
Ohne, wie Essen, das nicht gewürzt ist
Raub dir den Verstand, wie der Auslöser 'ner Gun
Mind-Blowing, wie die Normandie '44
Ich will am liebsten nix kostenlos rausbringen
Denn the game is to be sold, doch die byten ist ohnehin
Obwohl nix kaputt ist, fixen sie's ohne Sinn
Dreh'n es um, verkaufen es als neu erfundenes Ding
Mach weiter, ganz egal, wie es für irgendwen klingt
Was wäre diese Sparte ohne den außerirdischen Prinzen
Lass es raus, TIP Funk
Von Osten nach Westen bumpt es aus dem Trunk
Ich weiß, ihr wolltet mich am Boden sehen
Doch wenn ich spitte, merkst auch du, wie der Boden bebt, Mann
Karo-Jacken, seit The Chronic im Schrank
Mit Stift und Papier bin ich krank, krank
Hab die Zügel meines Schicksals in der Hand
Und die Schuhe sind Custom, Gott sei Dank
In these lyrics from Prince's song "Funk in 4," the artist reflects on the changing landscape of the music industry and his personal journey within it. He starts by painting a picture of industrial areas and towering blocks with graffiti, symbolizing the urban environment where creativity thrives. He contrasts the past competitive mentality of fighting for recognition with the current approach of letting the audience decide on what is progressive. The lyrics emphasize the importance of skill development through education and practice, highlighting the dedication needed to master one's craft.
Prince challenges the idea that success in the music industry is solely about wealth and material possessions, emphasizing that true style and aura cannot be bought. He acknowledges the significance of staying true to oneself and maintaining a sense of direction amidst the chaos of the industry. The mention of geographical directions serves as a metaphor for staying focused on one's path and not getting lost in the distractions of fame and fortune. The artist expresses gratitude for being clear-headed and dreaming without the need for substances, hinting at a deeper spiritual connection to his art.
The lyrics delve into Prince's personal experiences and resilience against those who underestimated him. He references his unconventional background as an Indian rapper and challenges stereotypes and prejudices within the industry. By asserting his control over his destiny and artistic expression, Prince asserts his uniqueness and authenticity in a field dominated by commercial interests. The mention of customized shoes symbolizes his individuality and self-expression, demonstrating a sense of pride in his identity and talents.
Additionally, Prince reflects on the essence of hip-hop culture by mentioning iconic elements like Boom-Bap, G-Funk, and the MPC Swing. He questions the shallow aspects of mainstream music culture, such as materialism and superficiality, suggesting that true artistry lies in depth and substance. Through his intricate wordplay and thought-provoking metaphors, Prince showcases his lyrical prowess and commitment to pushing boundaries in his craft. The references to historical events like World War II and philosophical concepts add layers of complexity to his verses, challenging listeners to engage with his music on a deeper level.
Overall, these lyrics reflect Prince's artistic integrity, social commentary, and dedication to his craft in the face of industry pressures and expectations. Through his unique perspective and poetic storytelling, the artist invites listeners to think critically about the music industry, individual identity, and the power of creativity to transcend boundaries. The song "Funk in 4" serves as a testament to Prince's resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to authenticity in a world driven by trends and commercial interests.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ruben Maubach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hellbenderdesign
Prince was 19 years old.
It is called Loring Park Sessions ’77, a series of free recording sessions in the studio of Loring Park (Minneapolis) owned by Owen Husney, Prince’s first manager. Eight tracks, all instrumental and untitled, realized with the participation of bassist Andre’ Cymone and drummer Bobby Z, who will soon become members of Prince’s first band.
@catherinemonnes2963
Thank you! Was going to ask if anybody knew the line-up. Like, that's some fierce bass. Wouldn't be surprised if it was Prince, but I sure like that it was people playing together vs 1 multi-tracking like we're all doing lately.
@viDUBla
19mins ffwd omfg!!!!!
@jokohomo9591
So amazing!
@markbritton6798
Do you mean three or free or 3?.
@macsmama07
Great information here ! We were wondering who was on bass here in this recording. Great music. He was the Bomb !
@vicktorv
finally an intelligent algorithm brought me here, lol
@kifran6632
So do i
@kevinp23231
We’re getting closer…
@johnnewell7047
Ikr!!😊