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.
Undisputed
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
NPG get rowdy, get rowdy now!
NPG get rowdy, get rowdy now!
Once again I don't follow trends, they just follow me
Just like the Israelis through the red sea
It might take you some time but you will want to see
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Live)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Come on)
(Get free, yeah!)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Go, come on)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Once again)
(Backwards: the uncredible)
At the very core of thinking I originate
That's why you'll never know my thinking or my fate
Invisible, unless of course you are my mate
If not, you think you see me, I disintegrate
Disintegrate my thoughts from yours
You can feel me coming outa everyone of your pores
We're integrating where I am understood and adored
"You're just to my subject, that's why you're outtatouch!"
So what's this claim, out of what?
My dear, I am the touch
Oh, hear me, feel me
Oh, hear me, feel me
Come on
NPG (Get funky)
NPG get rowdy, get rowdy now!
I can give you power (power), I can take it away
I can make you dance, 'cause this guitar I play
Heavy rotation (Come on, come on)
Never made my world go 'round
Commercialization, commercialization of the music
Is what brought it down
(Overhere)
(To the bridge)
My level is now what you must learn to rise above
Talk to D'Angelo or better yet Questlove
It might take you some time but you will learn to see
The undisputed truth and get free (Get free)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Live)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Come on)
(Get free, yeah!)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now!
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Once again)
(Backwards: The Incredible)
(Get free, yeah!)
NPG (Feel me) get rowdy (Love me), get rowdy now! (Horns)
NPG get rowdy, get rowdy now!
Get funky
Funky
NPG, new power (Chuck)
There's no rasism (14)
Free nation (Funky)
Free nation (Funky)
Check it
(Undisputed!)
Come on, come all to the download ball, off
There's no curfew to hurt you, no substitutions
School's now in session
Put down the Smith & Wessons
Real renegades don't invite grenades to make the grade
This is a brain raid, who rise above the lies
Raise above these days
New ways disguised as a craze
Uh, gotcha back against the status they thrown at us
Back against the wall again
High trees catch a lot of wind, oh
Last band standing
Gotta knock my overstanding
According to planing (NPG get rowdy)
And look up in the sky
No cable wire
God bless the child
God bless the child
(So funky)
Ha-ha-ha-ha
The lyrics of "Undisputed" by PRINCE feat. CHUCK D speak to the idea of individuality and standing out from the crowd. It opens with a call to action for NPG (New Power Generation) to get rowdy and to break away from trends and instead create their own path. The song uses references to biblical stories such as the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to suggest that true strength comes from breaking away from the norm. Prince asserts his unique thinking and creativity that originate from within him and are difficult to replicate.
He goes on to speak to the commercialization of music and how it has led to its downfall. The song also features a reference to the popular rap group Questlove and D'Angelo, suggesting their similar thinking and message. The chorus "Get Free" is a call to action to break free from conventional thinking and practices and embrace individuality. The song concludes with a reference to the freedom to download music, which also ties into the idea of freeing oneself from commercialization and limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
Get free, yeah!
Encouragement to break free from constraints and live freely.
NPG get rowdy, get rowdy now!
Encouragement to party and have a good time.
Once again I don't follow trends, they just follow me
The artist is innovative and sets trends, rather than follows them.
Just like the Israelis through the red sea
The artist's creativity is so powerful that it can cause seemingly impossible things to happen, like the parting of the Red Sea in the biblical story of the Exodus.
It might take you some time but you will want to see
It may take time for others to understand and appreciate the artist's unique creativity.
The undisputed truth and get free (Get free)
The artist's creativity is the ultimate truth and leads to freedom.
At the very core of thinking I originate
The artist is the source of original and profound ideas.
That's why you'll never know my thinking or my fate
Others will not be able to fully understand the artist's thoughts or destiny.
Invisible, unless of course you are my mate
The artist's creativity is only visible to those who are close to him or her, such as friends or collaborators.
If not, you think you see me, I disintegrate
Others who are not close to the artist may misinterpret or misunderstand his or her creativity.
Disintegrate my thoughts from yours
The artist's ideas are distinct from those of others.
You can feel me coming outa everyone of your pores
The artist's creativity is ubiquitous and can be felt by everyone.
We're integrating where I am understood and adored
The artist's creativity is accepted and appreciated by those who understand and admire it.
"You're just to my subject, that's why you're outtatouch!"
Those who do not appreciate the artist's creativity are out of touch or uninformed.
So what's this claim, out of what?
The artist questions the basis of criticism or skepticism directed towards his or her creativity.
My dear, I am the touch
The artist's creativity is the ultimate touchstone or standard for excellence.
I can give you power (power), I can take it away
The artist's creativity has the ability to give or take away power or influence.
I can make you dance, 'cause this guitar I play
The artist's music has the power to make people dance or feel good.
Heavy rotation (Come on, come on)
The artist's music is played often on the radio or in popular culture.
Never made my world go 'round
The artist does not rely on commercial success to define his or her world or existence.
Commercialization, commercialization of the music
The artist criticizes the negative impact of commercialization on music and culture.
Is what brought it down
The artist believes that commercialization has caused the decline of the music industry.
My level is now what you must learn to rise above
The artist has reached a high standard of excellence that others should aspire to achieve.
Talk to D'Angelo or better yet Questlove
The artist suggests that others consult with and learn from other respected musicians to improve themselves.
It might take you some time but you will learn to see
It may take time for others to reach the artist's level of excellence.
The undisputed truth and get free (Get free)
The artist's creativity is the ultimate truth and leads to freedom.
Come on, come all to the download ball, off
Reference to the emerging digital music format of the time and invitation to fans to embrace it.
There's no curfew to hurt you, no substitutions
There are no limits or substitutes for the true experience of the artist's creativity.
School's now in session
The artist is ready to teach and share his or her knowledge and creativity.
Put down the Smith & Wessons
A call to put down weapons and embrace the power of creativity instead.
Real renegades don't invite grenades to make the grade
True rebels do not use violence or destruction to gain status or respect.
This is a brain raid, who rise above the lies
The artist is challenging listeners to engage in critical and creative thinking to overcome falsehoods and misunderstandings.
Raise above these days
To transcend the negativity and limitations of the present time.
New ways disguised as a craze
The artist's unconventional creativity may seem like a trend or fad, but it is really a new and original approach.
Uh, gotcha back against the status they thrown at us
The artist is rallying against the oppressive influence of the mainstream.
Back against the wall again
The artist is in a difficult and challenging situation, but will persevere through his or her creativity.
High trees catch a lot of wind, oh
The artist is attracting a lot of criticism and attention due to his or her high level of talent and creativity.
Last band standing
The artist is the last remaining source of pure and innovative music in a world overrun by commercialization.
Gotta knock my overstanding
Others need to understand and appreciate the artist's unique perspective and creativity.
According to planing (NPG get rowdy)
The artist is executing a carefully crafted plan to share his or her creativity and inspire others.
And look up in the sky
An invitation to look beyond the present situation and focus on the bigger picture of creativity and possibility.
No cable wire
A reference to freeing oneself from the confines of mainstream culture and embracing true creativity.
God bless the child
A message of hope and blessings for all who embrace creativity and freedom.
Ha-ha-ha-ha
A lighthearted and joyful expression of the power of creativity and music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON RIDENHOUR, PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind