Prince, debatably one of the most innovative creators of his life time released his 13th studio album “Diamond and Pearls” On Oct 1, 1991. With this release he was compelled to curating change in a generation that adhered to their routine of drum machine and Synths sounds. Introducing his new band “The New Power Generation” that produced a refreshing sound with live rigid drums beats, utilizing original instrumental sounds, symphony of synthetic instrumentation and samples. Sound familiar? We’ll get to that in a bit.
But even the most influential people need something to inspire them. So what might have inspired this change in someone who also marched the same direction for such a long time in his delivery.
Let’s take this back and take a look at the timeline.
Prince releases “Dead on it” in 1994 where Prince expressed “See the rapper's problem usually stem from being tone deaf” and being open on what he truly felt about the genre and the artist that had been participating at that time. If you need Pull up the song, he really got in his bag about it.
Now let's fast forward to Prince’s album “Lovesexy” which released May 28, 1988, which still obtained his initial sound.
Now mind you this is just an observation but let’s see how ya’ll feel about this theory. Did Hip Hop influence the shift in Princes career?
Boogie Down Productions’ second studio album By All Means Necessary, originally released May 31, 1988. Little did anyone know that this would be the start for the legacy that is KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions
On June 28, 1988, Public Enemy’s “ It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” was one of the most impactful releases during that era. Let’s also not forget that Straight Outta Compton also released later that year. This created a shift in mainstream music.
Did this inspire Prince to change gears?
Rapper Tony M. Mosely was brought in to with the production of Diamonds and Pearls. “I sat down with Prince and talked about rap," the MC noted during a 1991 conversation with SKY magazine. "He said he didn’t like it until guys like Chuck D and KRS-One came on the scene. Then it started to make sense to him.”
Do think my theory on Hip Hop redefining Princes career is head on?