Prince: Pwner of Ur N00bs
The title of this is a little … over the top… but nonetheless, I want to take a break from writing about technology, programming, and other cool things involving computers and write about something a little different… finger exercises.
These finger exercises are known to reduce both men and women to tears, rip the hearts out of many, and assault the hearing of those nearby. These finger exercises are known under a more common and colloquial term: guitar.
Yep.
I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s that six-stringed instrument that your frat buddies pretend they play, the one that the girl you dated in high school played because she was against “the system”, and the one that you yourself might just play… but the chances of you or someone you know actually being good, talented, or original are slim-to-none.
Anyways, unless you were born in a hole full of Darkness, you know who “Prince” is (also, at one time was known as “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince” to weasel out of a record deal). I read a post over at Cracked today about celebrity fights, and the one between Sinead O’Connor and Prince caught my eye… go read it, and come back.
Back? Good.
I’m not very outspoken about music that isn’t some form of heavy metal or hard rock, and even then I’m selective of only the bands that are talented and original (aka I hate Slipknot, Puddle of Mudd, and pretty much any band you can name that you’ve heard of in the “mainstream” other than Metallica). But I like Prince. Not in an I-like-dudes sort of way, but in a I-have-respect-for-his-music-and-talent way.
The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
Talent
Prince is more talented on a guitar than you or I will ever be. In fact, if you’ve ever seen him play live (or on one of the DVD’s) you know that he’s more talented on a guitar without even TOUCHING it than anyone else. Granted, his latest two releases haven’t been all that amazing… one was a little too “R&B-ish” and the other was too mechanical/synthesized. But that doesn’t mean he’s not talented.
Body of Work
Prince has one of the largest catalogs of recordings on this planet (this is a fact, Google it), given that he records almost everything he does musically… in case he wants to use it. Have you seen Purple Rain (the movie)? Amazing movie… apparently he’s a good actor too. Have you heard songs like “Little Nikky”, “Little Red Corvette”, and “Purple Rain”? These are the more publicly popular songs, but they are very very good. The build up of “Purple Rain” is of epic proportions, and when the guitar comes in towards the end… I get chills.
Personal Creativity
Yes, Prince is a little weird. To be fair, so is every other genius. Look at people you might consider geniuses: Bob Dylan’s early interviews, Einstein’s personal life, Thom Yorke (of Radiohead)… the list goes on. The line between genius and insanity is a fine one, as the saying goes, so why do people pick on Prince, and not other people of equal eccentricity and genius? Is it because of the clothes? Is it because of his quiet voice and demeanor? Is it because of how he’s perceived?
I would argue that people pick on Prince not because he’s a little different, but for the same reason as the bullies of middle school: they don’t understand him, and are a little bit afraid. When you have someone with the ego and vision of Prince, and combine it with the way he acts and dresses… that can create quite a storm of feelings in other people. It doesn’t really bother me, but it’s not a reason to say Prince is a “bad” musician.
Chappelle’s Show
By now, everyone on Earth has seen the famous episode on “Chappelle’s Show” about Prince, pancakes, women’s clothing, and basketball. I’ll admit it… that’s one of my favorite sketches from that show, and I laughed so hard I cried. I’m not really clear on whether or not Prince acts like that, since I’ve never met him, but it’s fair to assume that it was, at the minimum, stretched a little bit for comedic purposes. Don’t let it taint your perception of reality.
Prince’s comedic counterpart?
Why?
Why do I bother with all of this? Because I think Prince is very talented. I think he’s a musical genius. I really like his music. I want him to make another good album. I want other people of my generation to understand his musical vision. I want him to do a large tour so I can see him play live.
Not all of this, and maybe nothing, will be accomplished by my writing… but I wanted to express a simple fact:
I listen to metal, almost exclusively.
And yet, I think Prince is very talented, and I listen to his music.
Does that tell you anything?
