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Prince on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – “Screwdriver” & “Bambi” (3.1.13)
Last night music icon Prince visited Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to perform two songs: “Screwdriver” (his latest with new band, 3rd Eye Girl, and “Bambi,” a classic from his second studio LP, Prince released in 1979. 3rd Eye Girl consists of Donna Grantis on guitar, Hanna Ford Welton on drums and Ida Nielsen on bass. Peep the footage below.
[Via Okayplayer]
BROOKLYN: Party with cultural critic Touré at Greenlight Bookstore, Mar. 29
![Pop culture critic Toure takes on Prince in new book, "I Would Did 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon" [Atria]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Pop-culture-critic-Toure-takes-on-Prince-in-new-tome-I-Would-Did-4-U_-Why-Prince-Became-an-Icon.jpg){kind=icon}
Though mastering the worlds of pop, soul, funk, R&B and rock music, Prince has always been an enigma. From overtly sexual lyrics in the 80′s and 90′s to pop-up concerts and a more toned down image in the new millennium, the producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has influenced artists and musicians alike in his near 35-year career.
Now author and pop culture critic Touré takes on the music legend in new tome, I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon (Atria, $14.00), out March 19.
Drawing upon “in-depth interviews with Prince’s band members, former girlfriends, musicologists, and even Bible scholars to deconstruct the artist’s life and work,” Touré weaves a tale of deep analysis and cultural perspective that has many ringing its praise.
“I’m a Prince scholar and this is the ultimate Prince book.” — Questlove
“Based on his Du Bois Lectures at Harvard, Touré has written a thoughtful and compelling book that is both a full and sensitive explication of the genius of Prince’s music, as well as his exemplary role as an seminal figure in contemporary American culture. It is must reading for any student of popular culture. – Henry Louis Gates
I, for one, cannot wait to read I Would Die 4 U.
That being said, if you are in Brooklyn, there will be a book signing as well as a dance party held on Friday, March 29 from 7 PM to 9 PM at Greenlight Bookstore (686 Fulton St.) in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn. Touré will sign copies of I Would Die 4 U and a guest DJ will spin popular Prince tunes. Below is a short bio of the author.
Touré is a co-host of MSNBC’s The Cycle and his writings have appeared in Rolling Stones, The New York Times Magazine, The Village Voice and Time.com. He is the author of four books: Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? (2011), Never Drank the Kool-Aid (2006), Soul City (2004) and The Portable Promised Land (2003). He lives in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn.
NYC: The Roots, Talib Kweli to honor Prince at Carnegie Hall, Mar. 7
NEW YORK CITY – Benefiting music programs for under-privileged youth, The Roots, Talib Kweli, D’Angelo, Bilal and more are set to honor the music of Prince at Carnegie Hall on March 7, 2013.
“The concert will mark the ninth year that Michael Dorf, the founder of City Winery, has mounted a show to raise funds for education programs serving the poor,” says the New York Times.
This year, the programs benefiting from the event are the American Symphony Orchestra, Church Street School for Music and Art, Fixing Instruments for Kids in School, GRAMMY in the Schools, Young Audiences New York, Little Kids Rock and the Center for Arts Education.
In a statement Dorf admits: “Prince is one of the most prolific songwriters in my collection, and he makes my Top 10 when I think about the artists who have truly shaped modern music.” An eclectic array of musicians will reinterpret the catalog of the artist, including Bettye LaVette, Blind Boys of Alabama, Citizen Cope and Alice Smith, Elvis Costello, Princess (feat. Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum) and Sandra Bernhard.
Past tributes have been for The Rolling Stones, The Who, R.E.M., Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
This year’s event will be curated by drummer, producer and resident “Prince-fanatic” Amir “Questlove” Thompson. Tickets start at $48. To purchase, visit Carnegie Hall’s box office or buy online.
[Via The Revivalist]
Prince Covers Billboard Magazine, Issue On Stands Jan. 26
Mega-pop star Prince will be on the cover of the newly revised Billboard magazine. The issue will feature an exclusive cover-story interview with the reclusive artist. The magazine hits newsstands on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. To read an excerpt of the talk; Click here.
[Via Billboard.com]
New Music Monday: ATL-singer-songwriter RAHBI releases debut LP
Rahbi in Atlanta, August 2010 (Photo/Creative Loafing Magazine)
“If Prince & Grace Jones had a love child, that little bastard wouldn’t hold a flame to RAHBI!” - Rodney Carmichael (Creative Loafing Magazine)
Just as flamboyant as early 80′s Prince, I first saw and heard of R&B glam rocker RAHBI at a Prince tribute show at SOB’s in New York City a bit over two years ago. And I recall hitting up Twitter the next day and tweeting …
Never thought I’d say this, but last night I think heard the. most. amazing. version of “When Doves Cry” … maybe better than the original.
— AcdJzFnd (@ND_McCray) June 10, 2010
For a woman who has seen His Royal Badness in concert four times (and counting), it takes a lot for me to give props to someone performing a cover of one of his songs. Yet, RAHBI impressed that night. From stage presence and audience interaction to dancing and being flirtatious with the crowd, the Atlanta-based singer-songwriter had us yearning for more — just like the Minneapolis-native himself.
The first installment of Rahbi’s debut LP.
Trimester 1…”Fun” is the first installment of RAHBI’s debut album GoldenChild, to be released in three parts over the next year:
Trimester 2… “Deception/Conception” and Trimester 3… “Hello World”.
Fan-funded via Kickstarter this past summer, Fun is just that. Maroon 5 band member and Young Money artist PJ Morton produced the lead single “Rollercoaster,” and it harks back to early-to-mid 80’s Prince with lots of synth-pop, funk and various other electro components. But, it’s “RipGirl” (my personal fave) that brings out memories of Prince and The Revolution’s “Computer Blue.” Nevertheless, as the title suggests and like 80′s Prince embodies, the entire four-song set is as fun and sexual as it is energetic and funky.
Tracklist:
1. “RipGirl”
2. “My Love ATLantis”
3. “ClubKid”
4. “Rollercoaster”
Day 29 of 29 Days: Prince – “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” (1994)
Day 20 of 29 Days: Prince, DIAMONDS AND PEARLS (1991)
Prince & the New Power Generation released Diamonds and Pearls in the latter part of 1991, a funkier set to say the least. I guess it was sort of Prince’s return to contemporary R&B, after the much-talked about Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987). Sidenote: We shall forget LoveSexy (1988) and Graffiti Bridge (1990) ever happened. But with tracks like “Cream” and “Gett Off” as well as the soulful “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” the funkier “Live 4 Love” and romantic ballads like “Diamonds & Pearls” and “Insatiable,” it’s no wonder I became enchanted by an artist most people have come to call a musical genius.
I was 17 when I bought Diamonds and Pearls; a few months shy of my 18th birthday. I remember I purchased it a pawn shop in Killeen, TX because it was alongside the Love Symbol album. Two for one; I paid maybe five bucks for both. But don’t even get me started on that album. “Sexy M.F.” “Damn U”…what?!?
Day 19 of 29 Days: Tevin Campbell, I’M READY (1993)
Texas-native and R&B teen star Tevin Campbell released I’m Ready in 1993, after much success with his platinum debut T.E.V.I.N. — which featured pop singles “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do,” “Just Ask Me,” “Goodbye,” “Confused,” and “Alone With You.” However, most were introduced to the singer by Quincy Jones in ’89 with “Round and Round” (which also appeared on Prince’s Graffitti Bridge soundtrack in ’90). Other faves on the LP are the title track, “Always in My Heart” and “Shhh” (produced by Prince), but the Babyface-penned “Can We Talk?” is still a urban radio mainstay.
Prince on Lopez Tonight {Video}
Soul Slam (XVII) (Otherwise Known As the MJ vs. Prince Party!), Saturday, April 16, 2011, Union Square Ballroom, NYC
"Happy Birthday Prince" at UrbanBridgez.com – UBGteam Blogs
Throwback: Vibrant Thing – Q-Tip
Start of a sleeve | "Prince as Narcissus"
Prince on NAACP Awards, 2005
LotusFlow3r, MPLsound, Elixer
The album features two separate Prince cds, LotusFlow3r and MPLsound, plus one, Elixer, showcasing his latest protege, Bria Valente. Available exclusively at Target, it’s not as obscure as Planet Earth yet it’s still all-around Prince.
MPLsound
? This is the Prince we all know and love: sexy, funky and fun. From the start of jump-off track “(There’ll Never B) Another Like Me” my body was rocking. “Valentina” brings Prince into full-form seduction mode. “Ol’ Skool Company” is just a funky dedication to the Minneapolis sound.Overall, the entire set is enjoyable – and well-worth the $11.98 price tag.
MJ vs Prince Party, NYC … WHAT?!
Started back in 1999 (go figure!) this is the ultimate DJ battle between Brooklyn’s own, DJ Spinna and a slew of hardcore Michael Jackson and Prince fans. And oh, this year’s special guest – Prince’s own DJ, DJ Rashida. Can you say, be there or …
The party goes down this Saturday, April 11th, 2009, 10:00pm – 4:00am @ Blvd: Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery (between Spring and Rivington), NYC. Cost: $20 in advance.
For more information, visit KeiStar’s website.
Friday Nite @ the Movies: PURPLE RAIN
Aside from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack, Purple Rain is my second all-time favorite movie EVER (Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon is the first). It’s Prince at his best on film.
Only Prince.
My Top 5 Love Songs of All Time
1. “If This World Were Mine,” Luther Vandross feat. Cheryl Lynn (1982) – Appearing on her Instant Love album, this is the perfect first-dance song. Be it a civil union, a wedding, a renewal, whatever, it’s just beautiful.
2. “Adore,” Prince (1987) – This has to be the highest form of adoration. “You own my heart and mind.”
3. “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration,” Teddy Pendergrass (1982) – Inspirational, loving, romantic, sexy all wrapped into five-minutes and 24 seconds.
4. “Lady,” The Whispers (1980) – Timeless classic. I own it on 45 and even with the crackles in it, it still makes my heart smile each and every time I put the needle on the record. “Erase all my maybes / would you do that for me lady…”
5. “Portuguese Love,” Teena Marie (1981) – Even though it’s about a passionate love affair that went down in Portugal; it’s still a sexy and juicy account. The kind of love we should all hope to have one day.
