Boldfaced Legends: Prince vs. the King of Pop
By Helmut Ziegler*
Iconic American musician Prince garnered legendary status through his hit single 'Purple Rain' - Iconic American musician Prince, renowned for the hit single "Purple Rain", solidifies his status as a musical legend
In the pop music domain of the 80s, Michael Jackson reigned supreme commercially, selling approximately three times more albums than our subject of interest – Prince. But Prince wasn't far behind, winning in categories other than record sales.
Battling it out on the creative front, Prince surpassed Jackson in terms of sheer output. According to Wikipedia, Prince wrote around 211 songs, while Jackson penned approximately 117. Moreover, Prince often self-produced the majority of his recordings.
The Glitz and Glamour of Purple Prowess
Prince was not just a prolific songwriter and producer; he was also a visionary, outshining Jackson in the glamour department. Sporting an androgynous style, Prince donned provocative garters and sequined lace outfits, far outclassing Jackson's fedora, white gloves, and chimpanzee Bubbles.
Prince's affairs, like the one with Kim Basinger, and his custom-designed guitars added to his enigmatic charm. In a playful ping-pong game against Jackson, Prince showed his competitive streak, despite mostly aiming for Jackson's paddle.
However, the decisive factor that sets Prince apart is his unwavering authenticity. Despite battling inner and outer struggles, Prince never compromised, not even his identity or racial background.
As a mixed-race child of divorce, Prince fought relentlessly for autonomy, disregarding boundaries, but embracing his contradictions. This is evident in his music, which seamlessly blended genres such as funk, classical, rock, country, and hip-hop. His performances ranged from pre-queer to macho, exemplifying his fearless exploration of his identity.
Furthermore, Prince refused to adhere to his record labels' instructions, opting to sell his music online from 2001. interestingly, his move coincided with the invention of the iPod.
Twenty years before, Prince had declared his intentions in the title "Controversy". A self-proclaimed Jehovah's Witness who wished we all were naked, he quoted the Lord's Prayer, reflecting his bold, unconventional nature. Unfortunately, he succumbed to an overdose of fentanyl five years ago. Ultimate independence may indeed come with its share of pain.
Glimpse Into the Archives
- The Prolific Prince: 39 studio albums, 211 songs (≈3x Jackson's output), and a mastery of multiple genres and instruments.
- The Glitz and Glamour: Basinger's affections, custom-made guitars, sequined lace outfits – a style transcending the mundane.
- A Rebel at Heart: Autonomy, defiance of boundaries, genre-blending – traits that made Prince a true iconoclast.
More from our Gallery
- Prince
- Eighties
- Michael Jackson
- Purple Rain
See Also
- Controversy (1981)
- Purple Rain (1984)
- Thriller (1982)
- The '80s
- The 1980s, a defining era of entertainment and pop-culture, was marked by the dominance of celebrities like Prince and Michael Jackson in the realm of music.
- Prince, often overshadowed by Michael Jackson in terms of album sales, made his mark through sheer output, generating around 211 songs during the '80s, which is approximately triple that of Jackson's output.
