I think it's dumb to be 'proud' of your ethnicity, as it is not something you have any control over nor is it any kind of achievement. It just feeds into identity politics, whereby it's great to be a 'proud' brown person, but not if you are white.
@@Dangerous2099 `Oh please. Black is beautiful. Black is strength. Black is cool. Black is fun. Black is courageous. Black is enlightening. and educational. Black is beautiful. So is blonde. So is brown. So are we all! :) Peace and chill.
Prince was black. I believe anyone that would play him in a movie should be black, to help him understand what Prince went through during his life. If anyone playing Prince was NOT black, he sure better be Purple.
Lol! I believe an unknown young Black guy that can act from Minnesota be perfect. One that grew up with proud Prince fan parents that schooled him bout Prince. And he a Prince to the heart fan as well .
You mean how a black man played Thurgood Marshall? That movie choice was a travesty. A person of clear mixed heritage like Prince should reflect Prince. But truthfully I don't want a Prince movie.
Prince was a BRUTHA through and through. He expressed that through his songs and fashion. He was influenced by Sly Stone who also spoke of a utopian society not dependent on color (race). Prince was very much The Black Panther Party as well The Mack. He definitely was a person of the 60's and 70's. Prince was a proud BLACK MAN hands down who often supported Black neighborhoods. Prince is BLACK!! ✊✊✊✊ (my fists are not, damn phone)
The rumor about Bruno playing Prince is not true however yes Bruno could play Prince, he's the only artist in the business that has the talent like Prince plus fyi Bruno is also Black - what do you think Puerto Rican is?
Why do people even question that. He’s black. Just because you are light skinned doesn’t mean you are not black. There is a color spectrum and if you consider it he identified as black period.
Seeing him live made my day. He was wonderful. And I cried liked a baby when he died.It felt like a piece of me was gone. Still in love. May we all live 2 c the dawn.
The only people that have an issue with acknowledging Prince as BLACK are 1.) those who actually think they're better than black people (for whatever reason)... and 2.) people who can't imagine themselves liking anything created or innovated by black people. Prince was a genius, a teacher, a master, and most importantly, regardless of the stuff we go thru as black people, UNAPOLOGETICALLY black, which is always a wonderful thing... and I love it, too.😊
Just because u have black blood in u that doesn't mean ur black bruh forgot the word biracal what about logic y'all ain't never claimed him as black since he look white even tho he got some black blood in him Hypocrite lol 😂😂
Exactly! One of your most admirable traits...keeping it totally real. This is now in my top 3 Prince Friend videos. Prince was a totally diverse entertainer and musician who was very proud of every aspect of his heritage, especially his Blackness!
Whoever cannot see that Prince is black needs to buy some good glasses. Less or more white in his blood does not make any difference cause his features are undoubtly black. Anyhow I think non of us real Prince´s friends care how much black or white he got, cause it really doesn´t matter compared to all the legacy, creation and love he gave us all. It really touched me when I was in Minneapolis early this year (went to PPark of course) and a girl working in a store at a mall explained to me how Prince helped with funds her small local Dance School. He didn´t have to do these type of things but he did, because he had the greatest heart ever. Love you O(+>
White. Black. Puerto Rican. Everybody’s just a freakin’. In the 35 years I’ve been listening to Prince’s music I’ve never questioned his race. He’s always been black to me. I don’t know why this is considered controversial or even a debate. PF, as for some of the comments you’ve gotten (I assume the stuff you had posted in the video were actual comments you’ve received about your race), please don’t let the closed minded negativity get to you. It appears as if you’ve developed a thick skin over it but damn....I’m sure it gets old. Thanks for presenting yourself as you are on here and any unsubs will be doing you a long term favor.
He doesnt look black to me lmaoo , he looks indian and he seems like bleached his skin harder than Michael but nobody said something about that, i respect prince, he was amazing but it's the true i dont see any black features
@@moonlightespt3818 when did he bleach his skin?😂 I do see what you mean about his facial features tho. he has European facial features. but he also had a kinky afro which is usually a hair type of black folks. he looked like he was at least part black to me. I could always see that he was black. I also want to add that prince seemed to identify as a black man and he was proud of it.
Absolutely! Well stated. What’s important is that, Prince came through when he was needed like a superhero. He stepped up when he was called to. Rather it be; loving all of God’s children, loving God in general, contributing to Spike Lee films, defending Muslims post 9/11, being a Black activist in the face of the racism that we face now...he always delivered with a song and occasionally but rarely an interview. He was the people’s champ. And yes, he was Black to the BONE 😂
@@AC-mp7cx Cinnamon Girl (Musicology) spoke about Middle Eastern American People’s experience during 9/11. He wasn’t global? I disagree, he toured the world and was arguably more popular in the UK than America. He and MJ defined what a Mega-Star was in the 80’s. They set the bar in their own way. Respectfully, you’re living under a rock.
I think ppl get confused because of the movie, "Purple Rain". The actress was White. I wish he would've cast a black actress to play his mother. But it is what it is.
One that Prince did for me is to help me realise that to be "Black" doesn't have to be overtly masculine, I don't have to like sports as much as I love music. Being black simply means to be a representative of a proud culture which prides itself with it's artists, athletes and intellectuals.
ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn That's not the point i'm trying to make. I'm allowed to acknowledge my blackness without acknowledging every other ethnicity, creed or background. You're allowed to be proud of being white, no one is stopping you. I know I'm not. But for me, I'm talking about how I'm proud of my blackness, and how Prince helped me realise that. Prince did not stand for divisiveness, and neither will I and to make a comment like that is the disregard all the hard work and progress that not only Prince, but MJ and more recently artists like Donald Glover and of course visionaries like MLK, Nelson Mandela and Malcom X have made to empower black people and bridge the gap that has been present for years. So before you make a comment like that, please consider the context and perspective in which I am speaking from and remember that Prince not only stood for black rights, but for human rights.
ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn, A simple look in the dictionary will tell you that pride in one's ethnicity, culture, heritage or what have you has nothing to do with racism. Please look up the meaning of the word before you indirectly accuse people of being racist. Racists are not called racists just because they have Pride. That is bullshit and you know it.
Well done Prince Friend, you addressed a very sensitive issue. Unfortunately, there is so much emphasis on race in this world. Prince was an American human being from Minesota. He would have felt prejudice in his life growing up as a child due to him having melanin in his skin. However, Black, Brown, Red or White, we are all people facing challenges whatever they may be in our day to day lives.. Music transcends this whole racial focus. Music is spiritual. David Bowie an English white man, and rock legend spoke out on race issues. Bob Marley the black 'mixed race' Jamaican Reggae legend also addressed the issue. Prince also wrote a song called 'Race' addressing the issue on the 'Come' album. Music is a platform that enables people to come together. When we can all live in Peace with one another, live and let live, then we can find true harmony. That is what matters.
Thelonius Drunk that is very true.He didn’t want to be pigeonholed hence the reason why he used The time to play the more R&B stuff while he could play more diverse style of music that wouldn’t solely be categorised as “black music”.However,he was a very proud black man and it’s a pity people don’t understand that Purple Rain was only a movie where he happened to play a bi racial man.
Prince was a light skinned brother that's why he sold more than other black musicians same as MJ but it was vitillgo skin disease.But I hope in the future all musicians sell alot of records regardless of skin color and creed.
Its very obvious that Prince lightened his skin and had a nose job. He didn't lighten as much as MJ and it appears he stopped at one nose job, but its very obvious.
Donnie Thompson. I hate to say this but I think so too, but It could be a natural facial change through reaching physical maturity at a later age. I notice this in Black males a lot. My brother had a round nose that became sharper than many White folks. Also, I think Black people's features have a tendency to photograph larger at times depending upon the camera lens, the angle and the lighting, and if you have a bridge on your nose, your nose will looks a lot thinner when you lose weight. Prince claimed he never had a nose job but it looks as if he had that and more.
Marcel Zachary Oh please Prince was always light skin ..when Prince was on American Bandstand when he was only 19 or 20 and didn't have as much money his skin was light even back then.. B4 he died his skin looked even more pale bcuz he was sick.
Thank you Prince's Friend and I agree with you. Prince mother and Father were black and their ancestry were in Louisiana. Everyone is of mixed race. Does it really matter what race he was. Prince did a lot for everyone, music, helping people and organizations. We do not need a movie about Prince. There so many documentaries about him.
actually, his ethnicity DOES matter... it shaped his music and the man he would later become. he wasn't ashamed of saying he was "black"... nor should any black person.
I'm definitely going to share this! I see this topic a lot on social media. Some people don't want to accept the fact that Prince was a black man. Having light skin & light eyes doesn't always mean a person is biracial. Prince was a proud black man but did not want people to focus on the color of his skin.
Prince is (can’t think of him in past tense) black and proud of it. But I really think part of his agenda was to show that it really doesn’t matter what race you are or what is your sexual identity... You are like everybody else. So as proud as he was of his race, he preached that we are all part of the one
I guess some has never seen a nonmixed ,fair complexion Black person, whom both parents are dark. Like I said, ain't No telling what look of a baby a Black woman may push out.Lol! I have seen dark skinned Blacks with Caucasian facial features. Some only see fair complexion Blacks as being mixed. Shame,some rather for Prince to be mixed. I love the 80's artist and now artist.No matter the race. It's all about the vocals for me.
Prince was a light-skinned brother, which likely indicates some white ancestry. His family being from Louisiana, I would guess they were Creole, which is a Black/French mixture. There's also a likelihood of some Native American ancestry. However, it was clear that regardless of any song lyric, Prince considered himself a Black man.
Hell no u ain't mixed u black asfk matter fact u blacker than prince 😂😂 Mf probably talking about ghanian mixed with nigerian that's still black ashell except if ur mixed with different race then ur mixed so basically if a person has 1 drop of black blood does that make him black? 😂😂😂
In the United States in the 18th century it was the one drop rule. Meaning if you had one drop of African blood in you you were black. I am sure Prince had more than one drop so he is considered black. Nicely done as always Prince's friend
Everyone who knew the real Prince knows he had a black heritage but he had also talked about his mother's side of the family and he wasn't sure if he had white is his family or not so to me it doesn't matter what color he was he is the sexiest man I know and color doesn't matter he was talented and loved every one no matter what your race was. Thanks Prince's Friend great video
I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. Why would the color of his skin in anyway take away from his talent? Pretty sure no one suggested that. Rather, his race reflects itself in his music, the way he writes his lyrics and the content he chose to write about, even the core sound he helped create in MPLS. so, no, his race doesn’t take away... it enhances it! 💜 cheers!
Prince's Friend I never said that, I’m saying that in my opinion it doesn’t matter what race he is. It doesn’t take away his talent, neither would it if he was white.
I don’t think it enhances it either. You can’t choose what race you are. You have no control over it although I do like some of his song about what it is like to be black.
I totally agree with you. Prince was a proud black man and yes I think if there is a movie it should be black man. I don't think Prince wanted to be put in a box and wanted his music to reach everyone. Perfect example they try to put Whirney in a box and it affected her a lot. No one should judge an artist because of color but it happens Prince was a beautiful black man proud to be and wanted people to see beyond color and broaden their insights.
I find it perplexing and kind of upsetting that people are arguing about this somehow. Prince was black. He was always obviously black. Since I first saw him in the 80's when I was a kid, I recognized him as a black man. That never meant that I thought his music was only for black people. He was clearly trying to speak to and for all people. One of the things I always enjoyed about his music was his vision of a utopian world where we could all get along and respect and celebrate our differences. I've often thought how sad it is that you rarely hear a white artist talk about race and the goal of racial harmony. It's always either a black artist, or a duet between a black and white artist. Anyway, his artistic vision, his intent or even his perception by audiences as possibly something more than human, and therefore beyond something as specific as a particular racial identity, does not negate the fact that he was a human, who happened to be, and identify as black (whether that's the entire sum or a mixture of racial backgrounds.) Why would any of this upset anyone?
I’ve always known Prince was black and so does the black community, especially AA people who were “around” (I was a teenaged high-school student) when Soft and Wet was getting AirPlay on BLACK radio stations. My face isn’t as pretty as Prince’s but we are the same color and both Prince and I have Afro hair and Black facial-features. My parents are both AA, but they are in mine and Prince’s skin-tone range.
Please keep discussion respectful and civil. How I see it, society lumps everyone who is a minority into a 'people of color' catagory, and that does not bother me much. However, Prince himself identified as black, even if he had other ethinicites in him; it's his choice what he relates to. I'm arabic but I sympathize with many of the plights of the black community and every other community for that matter because we are all human beings. Keep up the good work fellow friend!
I mean... The Rainbow Children still discusses what it means to be black, a person of color, a minority, etc. just saying the words “Rainbow Children” doesn’t really add much to the conversation. Can you elaborate on how the rainbow children relates to the discussion at hand? Cheers!
@@PrincesFriend one of the things that I have always loved about my fellow "Geminiian" mentor PRN was his cryptic messages. He didn't spend tons of time explaining himself. If people want clarity they need to listen and digest the album. Don't take this comment the wrong way. I REALLY LOVE this post!!!! You said just about everything I would say. My response was nothing more than a "ringshout", affirmation, Ase, Selah, Amen! Lol. But on a slightly triggered moment/rant, I'm tired of explaining race and racism to people that have google just like we do. I have resolved to no longer do homework for these "bullies". #TheGooch
In his (in)famous performance of 'America' in Nice, France, there's a big 'ol Pan-African flag in the background. Mr. Nelson was letting people know where he stood on some issues, even during the Revolution era. Many just missed it. In terms of a 'Rainbow Child' i do look at it in a spiritual sense. A 'Rainbow Child' is someone who is of one of the highest, if not highest level of spiritual awareness (think Indigo child), which is why i think Prince could travel/navigate amongst all that demonic energy and not be bothered. But in this context of a 'racial' conversation, 'Rainbow Children' seems to be a good response. Everything from the cover art to the music read 'I AM AFRICAN (BLACK)!!!!'
I am from U.K. as you said we don't care about Race .Prince could have been yellow with pink spots on but still the great musician he was and a Genius .I loved him for that and his beautiful voice .I Remember when Elvis first came on the radio in U.K. Think I was about 11 ,no one had seen him as NO TV, and he never did any shows here . We all thought he was black by the way he sang, but we bought his records ,it didnt matter if he was black the voice was the thing
Well there are people out there (lots of them-most casual fans) that think Purple Rain is a biopic, because it has some biographical elements from Prince's life. So I think a lot of people thought he was mixed (and therefore not black) based on the "Controversy" lyrics and the fact that he is portrayed as biracial in PR. But even with that, if he was mixed in the time he was born you couldn't be "mixed" or biracial. That wasn't a thing. You were socialized by what you looked like or could pass for, and usually that was your browner side. So he was black regardless.
@@sowhat...The song's called "What's my name" from the Crystal Ball album. Meaning if he didn't dilute himself down to be palatable to the "mainstream" collectives ears they wouldn't have accepted his offerings and contributions.
Okay, for those who were younger than 18 when Prince emerged on the scene in the late '70's, lots of people thought he was Puerto Rican. Some even thought Prince was related to Freddie Prinze, Senior, who died in 1977. Prince actively promoted the idea that he was half black and Italian (ripping off Jill Jones heritage) for most of the 80's, although his Mom wasn't having it😎. His family was from Louisiana, but the genealogy trees online are not reliable, so who knows what ethnicities he represented in total. Some claim his great grandparents on one side were French and Cherokee..singing evangelists. Who knows?I'm mixed, and GET why Prince didn't feel like identifying himself as any "race" initially. One documented reason is his resistance 2 being stuck in WB's black division because they spent less $ on developing black artists, and Prince wanted more marketing and exposure. As time passed, however, Prince definitely focused on identifying as an African American man. I was very proud of his challenging WB, discussing topics like chem trails and fake history. Prince was a GREAT black American man, and I truly wish he was still around to point out how the wounds of racism....the denial of racism in the US, are still preventing the Utopia he envisioned from materializing. We need to continue to insist on preserving his legacy: music, fashion, movies, performance, politics and humanitarianism. 💜
I'm 31 now and been a Prince fan since I was 13. We're black Europeans and my mother, who is in her 70s now, told me that in the 1980s, IN EUROPE, when the media started to hype him against Jackson, the European media DIDN'T PRESENT HIM AS A BLACK MAN and Prince DID NOT want to say he was BLACK back in the 1980s, now we all know this. Prince was also a well known colorist and only began to speak on racial issues when he became older. Prince didn't want to present himself as a black man back in the day. But both his parents were mixed that's for sure. He was a black American but also multiracial
Yes he was black. The coolest thing about him is that he brought/brings every color/race/gender/age together through his music. Unfortunately I never took the opportunity to see him live, regrettably, but I have attended a Prince symphonic orchestra last summer and I was amazed at the crowd that was there. Looking forward to the 4U tribute in less than 2 weeks!
mrscox27 both his parents were black for sure, but his family must be mixed somewhere. My point wasn’t as much about his color as it was about how his music and showmanship brings everyone together.
Why does everyone assume just because he was light he was mixed. There are blacks that are light, medium skin tone and a darker skin tone. Same goes with all the other races.
bg. DNA test results and studies show that most African Americans are mixed at least by around 20% sometimes more and sometimes less. People are on the net saying Prince is not Black. Next thing you know they will be saying he is White.
I like the fact that you are informed and don't say "I don't see color". It's ok to see color because seeing it means that you do "see" every part of the person. Not seeing color means you don't "see" the person. He/she does exist and that's the best way to not be racist.
Prince was a black man who had the courage to be himself. Like Jimi Hendrix, he came from a town where there was a lot of musical and racial variety, and importantly where people stay indoors a lot because of the weather, so it gives sensitive souls time to practice and really find themselves. Also like Hendrix he had made connections with white people who believed in him and his talent.
+Coach Wane It means that if Prince had not played the industry game of playing racially ambiguous, playing down his blackness that, he wouldn't have been as successful. At least that's how he saw it.
you actually hit a nail about europeans not being so race discriminating. although being well aware that some of his songs are either pointed at or discussing real African-american struggles, they are still amazing and speak to me. the emotion and feelings in those song come out strong and so beautifully (like the song Dreamer, you mentioned, but also his later song Baltimore are only a couple of many of his more black oriented songs). to me it's unreal to hear that people invalidate his black heritage because he's not "thug" enough. dang shame. but yes. it is also very true, that Prince wanted to reach the hearts and cultures of everyone. and, to my mind, he did. maybe not everyone, but a little bit of everyone from everywhere around the world, without ever disregarding his own heritage. i am aware, that Prince was born and raised in a time where being black was just barely gaining creative freedom. many wondrous musicians were left forgotten, or worse, used by non-black musicians and bands to get famous. (Led zeppelin comes to mind). And thus, it is understandable why Prince wanted to be known, and known especially for who he was and not what he was and held so much value over the creative control and ownership of his music. on a side note - to also end my comment: i personally think that if anything, prince had inherited his mother's beautiful charming face. that is something hard to deny ny anyone. hihi.
Prince was so beautiful! Listening to him helped me lose my inhibitions! He was so free! He was swept away by his music. So much so that listening to his music swept me away! Still does! That's what made him such a great singer & musician! He's sooo missed, by so many! RIP my purple Prince! Know you are missed by so many!
Prince--Black. His Mom--Black. His Dad--Black. Look at Prince's 1978 afro. BLACK. Look at his luscious lips! Black. That originality, brilliance, and genius. BLACK. Loved your response here PF. I couldn't have said it better.
In the U.S.A, a Latino person originates from one of the Latin American countries in Central or South America or is a descendant of such a person. Latino is an American term coined in 1946. Latin and Latino are not synonymous.
As we know, many people of European descent that were born in Louisiana, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America are often mixed a good deal more with other races and/or the original culture has been changed significantly by the influences of other races and the environment. As I understand it, I don't think Spanish, French or Portuguese Europeans recognize their descendants in the Americas to be of exactly the same ethnicity just like in the past many Africans have been said to think of African Americans as White. A good movie depicting this dynamic in the Caribbean is The Wide Sargasso Sea. The Sargasso has a great amount of seaweed. To me it symbolizes among other things a great murkiness and suggests even though there are ties, there will be great differences once the sea is crossed in either direction. The movie was based upon an English literature novel of the same name. Check it out. We all should be united as human beings, but we know on Planet Earth only something catastrophic like aliens from outer space would be the impetus for that type of unity.
I love Prince for his conversational ways, makes people think. I love the diversity in his band, music, life. He wants unity. I never ran from his music, I love it all, I have all his albums that were released in the USA INCLUDING "Welcome to America". He is what all people should be.
As a mixed person people who don’t walk in our shoes feel like they can put us in what ever category they feel like so as a mixed person I identify what ever tf I wanna identify as not what other people think
An amazing video! Not only did you talk about your topic, but you delved deep into the complications of race in a very thoughtful way. The way you navigated race and perceptions of race in this video was one of the most profound ways I’ve seen in a long, long while. Thought-provoking. I will definitely be sharing this video around.
This has always been asked. His Mothers side has been said there's Italian. White. & African American . His father's side African American. . This is How i see him Prince. A Strong Man who knew what he wanted. Color didn't make him.. Color doesn't make who any of us are. God put color so we wouldn't look the same.. He bled the same color as we all do. Whether Prince was light skin or dark skin. Prince... To me... Was about TRUTH. LOVE. EQUALITY. & HUMBLENESS. There's some people who have nonevof this. Prince had all these Qualities. Prince wasnt perfect as none of us are. Color doesn't make you. It's everything you do and everything you don't That's a Reflection on you... I love Prince for who he is and what he stands for. Not just because he's a Good looking man. He's deeper than that. & that's a color you cant define.... Peace...
He called himself a black man later on. In the beginning he stated he was mixed. I grew up knowing that he was a black man. Since his passing i heard him say his mom was italian in an interview from the 80s it was on YT but not anymore. Than in 2004 he told a reporter his dad was italian. For some reason he would tell the media this i'm not sure why. I think his parents were both black everybody's skin tone varies they were light. it doesn't mean they are mixed.
@@B.Jewels Miscegination is not a new concept. The New World in the Americas was built on the movement of many different peoples from many places from around the world, including Europe, and the enforced slavery of Africans from Africa. Not forgetting the indigenous Native populations of the Americas who were also displaced. Undoubtedly Miscegination took place on the plantations in the southern States where Prince' ancestors would have been forced to work on the cotton plantations. Exploitation and rape of human beings by the slave masters was common practice, this is where the lighter skin tone originated. That page in history is not a proud one. There was a lot of miscegination over the years. Prince wrote a song 'Dreamer' from the 'lotus flow3r' album. In this song the opening lyric is 'I was born on the same plantation of the United States of the Red White and Blue'. The reference points to being exploited. Another song from the same album 'Colonised Mind' also addresses this issue.
Hey. Prince's Friend don't pay attention to people who say you're this or that I appreciate the information you give us. Now people are always gonna hate,but you know that already. I love that you're Prince's Friend, and really hope that you continue to keep feeding us information so that we can keep his legacy strong. Well thats about all I have to say other than what I said about keeping Prince's legacy going, he is a special artist, and a great humanitarian, and deserves all the accolades , because he always said that the reason he was a perfectionist is hes doing that for the people, he always wanted us to have the best music possible.
On the GOLDNIGGA cd Prince sang, "Black muthaf×ckas in the house!" On the Come cd he had the song "Race". People look at the movie Purple Rain and think Prince was portraying his parentage, but the story is his and Vanity's and her mother was Italian and her dad was black. Her dad even looks like Clarence Williams III.
He was definitely black but surely it's not inappropriate to suggest that he may have European ancestry? His father was from Louisiana. Creole heritage, perhaps?
@@Prince1999-1 If Prince was 100% African, it's not as if I'd love him any less... but going by his appearance, I don't think it's reaching... and I'm aware that people from different regions in Africa have different complexions...
Great video. I always knew Prince was black. In his early days he did down play being black and hinting he was biracial.His music was all that mattered to me.
Kandi Kane. It is evident that Prince is of mixed ancestry. Most of us Blacks in America are to a lesser or greater degree, but according with your line of reasoning, Prince could also have considered himself White because it was in his bloodline. HOWEVER, everyone knows that would not fly in America. As such, it is apparent that Prince identified as Black for much more complex reasons than Black being in his bloodline. He was not living in Louisiana where descendants of once Free People of Color have their own separate culture and racial identity. He was a man living in the world and was or became very aware of what was going on here in America as well as elsewhere.
It is also a fact if you are black person with a light skin complexion in the music or entertainment business the more advantages you have Prince was also aware of this early in his career, but he was proud of his blackness and understood the struggles but it didn’t stop him from doing what he wanted to do. He didn’t let color restrict him.
Kandi Kane. I am light skinned and I have been around long enough to know that light skin is not always advantageous. It depends on what skin complexion is currently in vogue and the level of consciousness of the people. It was a disadvantage when the Black and Proud/Black Power movement was at it's height. The Purple Rain era came later. Prince would have never happened during that period. There would have been no Purple Rain, Graffiti Bridge or Under the Cherry Moon movies, no Jerome Benson hype man and no Violet the Organ Grinder, etc., etc. The average Prince fans in their 40's to early 50's probably don't know much about that period. In my opinion, Prince was not exactly the champion for Black causes early in his career. I think there was a gradual awakening. From what I read on this channel, the NAACP had issues with Prince at one point. I could not confirm that info but I could see that it could have been possible. Also Alan Leeds had to warn Prince not to forsake his initial fan base. I don't fault Prince for doing what he had to do, but I am glad he awoke and did not forsake his Blackness despite his mixed ancestry given the history of this country.
I agree, in order to propell his career ahead, Prince played up his look of racial ambiguity. This was more than likely due to music in the 80s and prior had color lines. I was a kid and young teen in the 80s and I remember when award shows had categories such as best "Black" Artist or best "Black" Album or when you shopped for music, there was a section titled "Black" music. I think that earlier on in his career, Prince literally romanced White culture in order for his music to break the color barrier. I think after his fight with Warner Brothers and losing the rights to his music, Prince then became Black consciousness.
Here, here. I could not have said that better. Great video. No matter your racial makeup, in our society, if you look black, you are considered black. Prince was certainly a black man even though he was bie-racial.
Prince's Friend Baaaaa Haaaa Haaaaa! But you are right in what you said. I am a light-skinned Black woman of mixed race, Black, Irish, Cherokee, and Filipino. It is insulting when people say I am not Black, or "not that Black." I get this on both sides of the color-line. But I also realize most people do not mean to be insulting. But we all live and learn.
You do realize that light eyes and light skin are NOT exclusive to Caucasians, right? Africoid people have always been genetically diverse, even without any admixture.
+DaneilliaHartBee Mee By mentioning his skin and eyes, and mentioning Caucasian blood in connection to those features; whether you realize or not it seemed as though you were detracting from him being black. Yes, I know that he was black. Any admixture to that is to be expected from those of us descendant from Africans who were enslaved. So, it seems redundant to bring it up.
Thanks for unsolicitedly breaking down what i intended to say... i guess... "Any admixture to that is to be expected from those of us descendant from Africans who were enslaved." that's clearly what i said in layman's term lol don't pick what you want and run with it then end up contradicting yourself and yes i do realize that light eyes and light skin are NOT exclusive to Caucasians.. do you? how unnecessary was this we're basically saying the same thing... Does it matter to you that he's black?
+DaneilliaHartBee Mee Yes, I know but, it didn't seem as if you did. I didn't contradict myself. It matters that he is known as black or African-American because too many times down through history, those of our people who are admired for something are hijacked by implying or outright lying about their ethnic identity. As if nothing of value comes from us. And no, I don't mean you. I mean the media.
I'm always amazed that we still have these kind of debates about Prince you are 100 percent right Prince answered all these questions when he was alive several times just keep up the good work man just keep up the good work
Great show! Yes! Prince is black!! Prince did say in an interview, I believe for MTV, that he was of mixed backgrounds. He did not want to be typed cast into one specific demographic audience. He wanted his music to be heard by “everyone”. So does it really matter? Prince is Prince, I don’t think of him as being Black (he is Black), White, Latino, Asian or Native American. I think of Prince as being worldly for everyone, for every race!! He artist, a genius and now a Doctor - he is the G.O.A.T.💚💙💜💛🌟🌟
Your video has raised an interesting topic of race. What race is Prince is interesting because the difference in the definition of a persons race is different in the UK than in the USA. In the UK a person defines their own race as either mixed race, black or white. For example if a person is white/Afro Caribbean, the individual is said to be of mixed race. In an early interview in 1981 with Mick Boskamp, Prince talked about his race, and he said his Father was of African American and Italian descent. Therefore Prince could be perceived as mixed race. Wikipedia describes Prince’s parents as African American, therefore he would be perceived as black. Later in life Prince was very apparent in seeing himself as a black.
With 11000 subs now your bound to get some bad apples in the comments. I agree 100% with what you said in the video. You bring up great points about how it's hard for society to accept someone as a black male if they aren't tough, not very well spoken, and other stereotypes. I think it did matter that Prince was black because it certainly mattered to him. Great video!
Also my best friend used to get tormented in high school because he "wasn't black enough" he listened to rage against the machine instead of the music I listened to which tends to be more black and he is well mannered and polite and somehow thats also "not black enough" according to the people in western Massachusetts. I m glad I did watch this again I think u did a really good job.
In an interview on " Lopez Tonight, "Prince said he knows his father is black but they can't find out who his mother's dad is. She had a complexion like Prince. I wish people would just chill out about race and just talk about his talent and the kind of person he was.
Prince's song 'RACE' is a song about going against 'race-politics' and he was for all children, all people, to focus on race, is kind of throwing that away, or ignoring what Prince sang about. But for the sake of an argument or further analysis, which honestly, it's kind of playing into race politics, which AGAIN, is something sang against, okay, we can say that Prince is a Black American artist. But really, Prince was really just an AMERICAN legendary recording and performing artist, one of America's best that America's culture, produced. Prince was Rock N Roll's baby, he fused Black American genre's of which really are America's art forms, ie Blues, Jazz, ... later Rock n Roll, Funk, etc. It all comes back in my view, to simply, 'American'. When you do that, you follow Prince's RACE message and what he was communicating, to look beyond 'race', he and we should really ultimately mark 'Human'. I believe still, in that Prince, the Prince of 'Free', of 'America'. 'Days O Wild'. 'Race'. --Gary
I’d argue that you can’t take a handful of songs and apply it to anyone. His songs were a reflection of what he felt st that time and if you listen closely, that message of looking beyond race changed to putting race under a Microscope. I love everything you said, though. Just saying that I’m not ignoring “Race” but I’m also looking beyond that one song to lots of other songs that are its complete opposite.
Thank you Prince's Friend. We can disagree and find common ground. In my view, now after Prince has passed onto the cosmos as I like to say, and looking at the overall arch of Prince's work, it can be divided, just like the true Gemini that Prince was, into two large periods, the Warner Bros Records era and the independent era. In the first part, politically, Prince was a right winger and loved Reagan, and expressed conservative, individualist, individual empowering views in many of his songs. It's not just in a handful of songs, you'll find this most of his songs, they had right wing, conservative views mixed in with songs about Uptown and what now is called 'diversity'. Even SOTT is a conservative right wing leaning song as was/is '1999'! Who do you think he's referring to as 'baby' in SOTT! Then, the other half is when Prince became more and more liberal, leftist in his views and this second flip side period starts during the Emancipation era and Prince keeps snowballing into extreme leftist views so much so that by One Night Alone, certain parts of his audience at his concerts where grumbling and almost booing some of Prince's far left views on politics and religion! I know, I was there! In both periods. It's as clear as day and night. It would make for an interesting topic of discussion, it may get heated, especially when you look at who he was rubbing shoulders with towards the last few years of his life. Prince's politics were two sided, and in one of them he was actually the most free and did his very best work, guess which period that is... ! --Gary
Just incredible, and also highly needed. I am seriously stunned that there are people saying such things, was Prince Black our not. Duh. Freaking blind people would even see it, I mean jeez. So yes Thank You for making this video and for once and for all setting the record straight. For us fans who are honest about it all, means a lot. Bless You.
So I appreciate your attempt to evoke the colorism issue the Black Community has..You know Prince was who he was..I've been listening to Prince for years..I was influenced by him and his way of depicting race and gender. I'am brown skin ,he is light skin..but the way how America is,you had to play up to the masses. For some reason thats what he did,he said in an interview that he wanted to make music that appeal to many and he wanted to be judged for the quality of his work. You know he grew up likeing bands like Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone .His Blackness is being brought for debate,because they want to make sure that the Blackness is not so celebrated..they want to have something for them. Prince was brilliant,he just so happened to be a brilliant blackman who was an awesome musican,businessman. May he Rest in Power and forgive these petty debates,While we continue to support his habits. Miss you Prince.
Prince knew who he was but was intelligent and shrewd enough to recognize how the world was, as well! He never denied his identity but chose to capitalize on and use his light skin and good looks to advance his career in the industry! He was well aware of the prejudice and racism in America 🇺🇸 And only after gaining the fame and acceptance needed to establish his influence did he use his fame, influence and resources to help advance his passion, which was his People!!!! Great man and a great story!!!
Brilliant yet again!!!! Really enjoyed this. Me myself, I'm of mixed heritage but do call myself black because from an early age society said I was black, well back in the day they used the term coloured. I like all people as much as they like me and I loved Prince for who he was and how his music made me feel. Thanks again Prince's Friend, a really good video.
This middle-aged white chick has LOVED Prince in all of his glorious blackness since I first discovered him in the early 80s. But he could have been a "smurf" and I would still have loved him ... because he was (still is) PRINCE.
LOL! I wasn’t aware this was even a question. Just listen to songs like “Baltimore” and “Race”, and that’ll answer the question for you. The man actually wrote “SLAVE” on his face for almost a decade from the early 90’s to the early 2000’s. He also said in interviews (what few he actually did) that when it came to the music industry that if you don’t own your master (tapes), your “master” owns you. Basically though, Prince was Black because he said that he was Black...he especially did this more later in his carrier. Great Video. 👍🏽
Prince's Friend - I didn't think what you said was" long and ranty" at all. I loved that man with a passion! And I would fight a brick about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was my first love (from afar of course) and my favorite artist of all times. Now that's a tall order considering we had so much talent in our generation. I will always love him.
Prince was definitely black. I think Purple Rain confused people because they cast a white woman as his mother. People started saying his mother is white. No that was in the movies 😂💜
Both of Prince's parents were light skinned Blacks. There is an interview of his sister Tyka Nelson discussing the difficulties that their mother had because she was a light skinned Black woman. Tyka also mentioned that she has too experienced difficulties growing up because she was so light skinned. I mention all of this because I think that the Purple Rain movie portraying Prince's mom as White has also played a part in the confusion of Prince's race. One can actually Google pictures of Prince's parents and you will clearly see that both were light skinned Blacks.
Shay Lolabean, I am referencing to how Tyka Nelson classified her family as. There are interviews of her classifying them as Black. Even the acceptance speech she had done for receiving an award on Prince's behalf, I think it was the Billboard awards, she referred to Prince as a "young Black kid from Minneapolis". I know his parents and grandparents are from Louisiana, however, I have not found any sources stating that they stated that they were of creole descent. Please advise where one can find this information. I am unsure if people are assuming that they are creole because they were light skinned and grandparents were from Louisiana. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they were creole.
It wasn't just white people who left Prince in his later years because of the blues, jazz, and old school funk music that he was doing, it was many other races of his fans as well. I'm black and I liked Prince's music from For You till Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. Prince wasn't making that modern R&B, Pop, Funk, Rock music like he used to. Plus when he became a Jehovah's Witness and began acting very sanctimonious, that was a big turn off. His music was no longer risque and futuristic and sounded like old rehashing of James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Rufus, and Graham Central Station like he got stuck in the 60's & 70's. When Prince was on Warner Brothers trying to get off, he said that they holding him back from putting out a lot of great music as well owning his masters. I was thinking once he left Warner Brothers that we were going to get music that was 100x times better then Purple Rain, The Gold Experience, 1999, Sign O the Times, Batman Soundtrack etc. But that wasn't the case. I love going to live concerts. I have seen acts like Jodeci, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Brenda K. Star, Mark Anthony, Damian Marley, Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs N Harmony, A Tribe Called Quest, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and I got to see Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary in New York (where I'm from). I would have loved to seen Prince live, but was told by friends who went that Prince sometimes didn't play the classics and played a lot of the new material, that fans didn't care for. Then most of all, they said he would start preaching his religion at the concerts. That was enough to keep me from ever going to see him perform live. I always thought that one day he would loosen up and I would get that free spirit Prince again, unfortunately that never happened. Prince and I had some things in common, we were both short light skin racially ambiguous androgynous black men with free spirits who dated women of all races, well till Prince found religion. Prince, Michael Jackson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Dennis Rodman are people that I identified with because they helped make this black introverted weirdo feel not so weird in a world that likes to tell black men how they are supposed to be like.
To be fair if you listen to those albums you referenced again, you'll find there is a strong religious theme running through them. You might mistake the subject for sex but more accurate he refers to faith. The cross, theives in the temple, 7. There are so many. Ultimately he wrote what inspired him and the strength and beauty of his writing meant that for the listener every song could be interpreted according to ones state of mind. I agree that there was a purple period of his best work, and if you listened and loved him then you'd love him forever in everything thing he did, he was my hero, and I identified my blackness in him. I found out that being black just means the you are the skin colour you are born with, nothing more and nothing less.
I went to a lot of concerts. And real fans loved his shows. Every show was different. Even in the same tour. He played always old songs. Sometimes 4 in a minute. Real fans recognized them. He had so many songs. And we all loved them.
I'm saddened that somebody lied to you about Prince shows. They must have not wanted you to go so they could get your spot. Sorry boo, but maybe aside from Micheal his shows were better than all the ones you've seen combined.
WATCH NEXT: Prince Was A Modern-Day Sage, Lessons from Prince Songs, Words, and Actions ua-cam.com/video/KZ4Oz3Z-okY/v-deo.html
Prince was/ is definitely a proud black man, but he spoke for all races.
F
I think it's dumb to be 'proud' of your ethnicity, as it is not something you have any control over nor is it any kind of achievement. It just feeds into identity politics, whereby it's great to be a 'proud' brown person, but not if you are white.
Dangerous2099 I'm proud of mines. thanks
@@Dangerous2099 that bs if it was true Ppl wouldn't demonize black people
@@Dangerous2099 `Oh please. Black is beautiful. Black is strength. Black is cool. Black is fun. Black is courageous. Black is enlightening. and educational. Black is beautiful.
So is blonde. So is brown. So are we all! :)
Peace and chill.
Prince was black. I believe anyone that would play him in a movie should be black, to help him understand what Prince went through during his life. If anyone playing Prince was NOT black, he sure better be Purple.
Jay Trace 😄😄😄 "he sure better be purple"
His mom looked white
Thank u 💯💯
Lol! I believe an unknown young Black guy that can act from Minnesota be perfect. One that grew up with proud Prince fan parents that schooled him bout Prince. And he a Prince to the heart fan as well .
You mean how a black man played Thurgood Marshall? That movie choice was a travesty. A person of clear mixed heritage like Prince should reflect Prince. But truthfully I don't want a Prince movie.
Very well done Prince's Friend. Prince was a beautiful black man, but he identified with all races. Thank you for the video.
Prince was a BRUTHA through and through. He expressed that through his songs and fashion. He was influenced by Sly Stone who also spoke of a utopian society not dependent on color (race). Prince was very much The Black Panther Party as well The Mack. He definitely was a person of the 60's and 70's. Prince was a proud BLACK MAN hands down who often supported Black neighborhoods. Prince is BLACK!! ✊✊✊✊ (my fists are not, damn phone)
Thanks for keeping the memory of Prince alive!
Bruno doesn’t look like Prince. He won’t be right for this role.
Bruno Mars has the voice, the moves, the it factor... the role would be perfect for him.
I THINK HE CAN PULL IT OFF
NO Bruno can NOT pull it off..Bruno is not a good fit period..
I agree. Besides, his thighs are too fat!
The rumor about Bruno playing Prince is not true however yes Bruno could play Prince, he's the only artist in the business that has the talent like Prince plus fyi Bruno is also Black - what do you think Puerto Rican is?
Why do people even question that. He’s black. Just because you are light skinned doesn’t mean you are not black. There is a color spectrum and if you consider it he identified as black period.
Seeing him live made my day. He was wonderful. And I cried liked a baby when he died.It felt like a piece of me was gone. Still in love. May we all live 2 c the dawn.
The only people that have an issue with acknowledging Prince as BLACK are 1.) those who actually think they're better than black people (for whatever reason)... and 2.) people who can't imagine themselves liking anything created or innovated by black people. Prince was a genius, a teacher, a master, and most importantly, regardless of the stuff we go thru as black people, UNAPOLOGETICALLY black, which is always a wonderful thing... and I love it, too.😊
Just because u have black blood in u that doesn't mean ur black bruh forgot the word biracal what about logic y'all ain't never claimed him as black since he look white even tho he got some black blood in him
Hypocrite lol 😂😂
Yes he was black he was a fine brother
Amen!💜
Indeed
@@kayparrish63 say it again lol right on
Exactly! One of your most admirable traits...keeping it totally real. This is now in my top 3 Prince Friend videos. Prince was a totally diverse entertainer and musician who was very proud of every aspect of his heritage, especially his Blackness!
Whoever cannot see that Prince is black needs to buy some good glasses. Less or more white in his blood does not make any difference cause his features are undoubtly black. Anyhow I think non of us real Prince´s friends care how much black or white he got, cause it really doesn´t matter compared to all the legacy, creation and love he gave us all. It really touched me when I was in Minneapolis early this year (went to PPark of course) and a girl working in a store at a mall explained to me how Prince helped with funds her small local Dance School. He didn´t have to do these type of things but he did, because he had the greatest heart ever. Love you O(+>
White. Black. Puerto Rican. Everybody’s just a freakin’. In the 35 years I’ve been listening to Prince’s music I’ve never questioned his race. He’s always been black to me. I don’t know why this is considered controversial or even a debate.
PF, as for some of the comments you’ve gotten (I assume the stuff you had posted in the video were actual comments you’ve received about your race), please don’t let the closed minded negativity get to you. It appears as if you’ve developed a thick skin over it but damn....I’m sure it gets old. Thanks for presenting yourself as you are on here and any unsubs will be doing you a long term favor.
Actually only a few of them have been about me personally. Most are arguments about Prince’s actually race. It’s really weird. Lol.
Cuz it ain't!!! Lol
Because that's the world we live in Jason Breininger; but I agree, it shouldn't matter.
He doesnt look black to me lmaoo , he looks indian and he seems like bleached his skin harder than Michael but nobody said something about that, i respect prince, he was amazing but it's the true i dont see any black features
@@moonlightespt3818 when did he bleach his skin?😂 I do see what you mean about his facial features tho. he has European facial features. but he also had a kinky afro which is usually a hair type of black folks. he looked like he was at least part black to me. I could always see that he was black. I also want to add that prince seemed to identify as a black man and he was proud of it.
Absolutely! Well stated. What’s important is that, Prince came through when he was needed like a superhero. He stepped up when he was called to. Rather it be; loving all of God’s children, loving God in general, contributing to Spike Lee films, defending Muslims post 9/11, being a Black activist in the face of the racism that we face now...he always delivered with a song and occasionally but rarely an interview. He was the people’s champ. And yes, he was Black to the BONE 😂
when did Prince defend Muslims? Also Prince wasn't globally popular so his voice didn't have as much an impact as some other mega celebs
@@AC-mp7cx Cinnamon Girl (Musicology) spoke about Middle Eastern American People’s experience during 9/11. He wasn’t global? I disagree, he toured the world and was arguably more popular in the UK than America. He and MJ defined what a Mega-Star was in the 80’s. They set the bar in their own way. Respectfully, you’re living under a rock.
@@diaquitaquita8984 yup, except that he was Black and said he was Black, but ok.
Of course he's black. This is actually a question?
You should read some the comments I get, I tell you lol
Let's not forget people also thought Barack Obama was a Muslim....lol. People are strange indeed.
I think ppl get confused because of the movie, "Purple Rain". The actress was White. I wish he would've cast a black actress to play his mother. But it is what it is.
@@jacluv7862 Did you know they wanted to cast John Travolta to play Prince in that movie? Hilarious...Fun Fact. Some executives are ridiculous.
@@PrincesFriend I believe you, Bruh. I bet some folks actually think Purple Rain was a documentary, LMAO!!!!!
One that Prince did for me is to help me realise that to be "Black" doesn't have to be overtly masculine, I don't have to like sports as much as I love music. Being black simply means to be a representative of a proud culture which prides itself with it's artists, athletes and intellectuals.
ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn That's not the point i'm trying to make. I'm allowed to acknowledge my blackness without acknowledging every other ethnicity, creed or background. You're allowed to be proud of being white, no one is stopping you. I know I'm not. But for me, I'm talking about how I'm proud of my blackness, and how Prince helped me realise that. Prince did not stand for divisiveness, and neither will I and to make a comment like that is the disregard all the hard work and progress that not only Prince, but MJ and more recently artists like Donald Glover and of course visionaries like MLK, Nelson Mandela and Malcom X have made to empower black people and bridge the gap that has been present for years. So before you make a comment like that, please consider the context and perspective in which I am speaking from and remember that Prince not only stood for black rights, but for human rights.
ijcn0jir3nvjn3fjcifn, A simple look in the dictionary will tell you that pride in one's ethnicity, culture, heritage or what have you has nothing to do with racism. Please look up the meaning of the word before you indirectly accuse people of being racist. Racists are not called racists just because they have Pride. That is bullshit and you know it.
Well done Prince Friend, you addressed a very sensitive issue. Unfortunately, there is so much emphasis on race in this world. Prince was an American human being from Minesota. He would have felt prejudice in his life growing up as a child due to him having melanin in his skin. However, Black, Brown, Red or White, we are all people facing challenges whatever they may be in our day to day lives.. Music transcends this whole racial focus. Music is spiritual. David Bowie an English white man, and rock legend spoke out on race issues. Bob Marley the black 'mixed race' Jamaican Reggae legend also addressed the issue. Prince also wrote a song called 'Race' addressing the issue on the 'Come' album. Music is a platform that enables people to come together. When we can all live in Peace with one another, live and let live, then we can find true harmony. That is what matters.
That was the motto of our generation "live and let live". It still hurts to know he's not here.
Not really in the world but in the United States yes... you guys can’t keep worrying about it.
@@damien1781 So south African didn’t have an apartheid?…. Ok delusional
@@chamham6734 yes they did due to guess who???
Yes he was. He just didn't want to be categorized as a black artist .
Thelonius Drunk that is very true.He didn’t want to be pigeonholed hence the reason why he used The time to play the more R&B stuff while he could play more diverse style of music that wouldn’t solely be categorised as “black music”.However,he was a very proud black man and it’s a pity people don’t understand that Purple Rain was only a movie where he happened to play a bi racial man.
everything you said is true and yes its sad that people dont understand
I was a big Prince fan but I do realize that he rather not be seen as being black and I think that's sad.
He was playing the game. Once that stuff didn’t matter cause he had reached the sufficient level of success, he threw all that right out the window
Prince was a light skinned brother that's why he sold more than other black musicians same as MJ but it was vitillgo skin disease.But I hope in the future all musicians sell alot of records regardless of skin color and creed.
Its very obvious that Prince lightened his skin and had a nose job. He didn't lighten as much as MJ and it appears he stopped at one nose job, but its very obvious.
Donnie Thompson. I hate to say this but I think so too, but It could be a natural facial change through reaching physical maturity at a later age. I notice this in Black males a lot. My brother had a round nose that became sharper than many White folks. Also, I think Black people's features have a tendency to photograph larger at times depending upon the camera lens, the angle and the lighting, and if you have a bridge on your nose, your nose will looks a lot thinner when you lose weight. Prince claimed he never had a nose job but it looks as if he had that and more.
Marcel Zachary Oh please Prince was always light skin ..when Prince was on American Bandstand when he was only 19 or 20 and didn't have as much money his skin was light even back then.. B4 he died his skin looked even more pale bcuz he was sick.
To me, his upper lip thinned out over time. I believe he had a lip job but not a nose job. His nose looks the same, to me.
Yeah, he was always light skinned. In one of his pictures, he had a tan but that's because it was summer time
Thank you Prince's Friend and I agree with you. Prince mother and Father were black and their ancestry were in Louisiana. Everyone is of mixed race. Does it really matter what race he was. Prince did a lot for everyone, music, helping people and organizations. We do not need a movie about Prince. There so many documentaries about him.
Shakira Charriez exactly!!
actually, his ethnicity DOES matter... it shaped his music and the man he would later become. he wasn't ashamed of saying he was "black"... nor should any black person.
Exactly his family was Creole
He was Black and a proud one. No mystery folks. He loved all ethnicities.
I'm definitely going to share this! I see this topic a lot on social media. Some people don't want to accept the fact that Prince was a black man. Having light skin & light eyes doesn't always mean a person is biracial. Prince was a proud black man but did not want people to focus on the color of his skin.
Prince is (can’t think of him in past tense) black and proud of it. But I really think part of his agenda was to show that it really doesn’t matter what race you are or what is your sexual identity... You are like everybody else. So as proud as he was of his race, he preached that we are all part of the one
Yes, he was black. I always thought he was mixed with something, but it doesn't really matter. We're all mixed with something, right? 💜
Nancy Carpenter: He was about as Black as. Derek Jeter, Willy Monfret, Jeremy Meeks, The Rock and Will Lemay.
I guess some has never seen a nonmixed ,fair complexion Black person, whom both parents are dark. Like I said, ain't No telling what look of a baby a Black woman may push out.Lol! I have seen dark skinned Blacks with Caucasian facial features. Some only see fair complexion Blacks as being mixed. Shame,some rather for Prince to be mixed. I love the 80's artist and now artist.No matter the race. It's all about the vocals for me.
Prince was a light-skinned brother, which likely indicates some white ancestry. His family being from Louisiana, I would guess they were Creole, which is a Black/French mixture. There's also a likelihood of some Native American ancestry. However, it was clear that regardless of any song lyric, Prince considered himself a Black man.
I'm mixed with cat. I hope that makes sense.
Hell no u ain't mixed
u black asfk matter fact u blacker than prince 😂😂
Mf probably talking about ghanian mixed with nigerian that's still black ashell except if ur mixed with different race then ur mixed so basically if a person has 1 drop of black blood does that make him black? 😂😂😂
In the United States in the 18th century it was the one drop rule. Meaning if you had one drop of African blood in you you were black. I am sure Prince had more than one drop so he is considered black. Nicely done as always Prince's friend
considered he is
It would be the same for Bruno Mars, and it is pretty obvious that he his mixed with black
Everyone who knew the real Prince knows he had a black heritage but he had also talked about his mother's side of the family and he wasn't sure if he had white is his family or not so to me it doesn't matter what color he was he is the sexiest man I know and color doesn't matter he was talented and loved every one no matter what your race was. Thanks Prince's Friend great video
Why is this even a question? His real fans don't care.
For a lot of the reasons I talked about in my video
Prince's Friend, It doesn’t matter he was white or black. It doesn’t take away his talent or personality, it shouldn’t matter for anybody.
I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. Why would the color of his skin in anyway take away from his talent? Pretty sure no one suggested that. Rather, his race reflects itself in his music, the way he writes his lyrics and the content he chose to write about, even the core sound he helped create in MPLS. so, no, his race doesn’t take away... it enhances it! 💜 cheers!
Prince's Friend I never said that, I’m saying that in my opinion it doesn’t matter what race he is. It doesn’t take away his talent, neither would it if he was white.
I don’t think it enhances it either. You can’t choose what race you are. You have no control over it although I do like some of his song about what it is like to be black.
I totally agree with you. Prince was a proud black man and yes I think if there is a movie it should be black man. I don't think Prince wanted to be put in a box and wanted his music to reach everyone. Perfect example they try to put Whirney in a box and it affected her a lot. No one should judge an artist because of color but it happens Prince was a beautiful black man proud to be and wanted people to see beyond color and broaden their insights.
I agree 100% with what you said as far as the race playing Prince .also Prince's mother was not white ... Love your channel💜
True. I may have misspoke. There is white in the genes.
Get a good actor that looks like Prince to play Prince . Prince would want that he was proud to be black man respect that
Both Prince’s parents were of a mixed race but black ran in their bloodline too.
Nobody can play Prince. But if they do make his movie, I hope they find a light skinned black dude to play his part.
@@ladonna1902 me too because they better get it right lol because if they don't I'm going to be mad 😡!
I find it perplexing and kind of upsetting that people are arguing about this somehow. Prince was black. He was always obviously black. Since I first saw him in the 80's when I was a kid, I recognized him as a black man. That never meant that I thought his music was only for black people. He was clearly trying to speak to and for all people. One of the things I always enjoyed about his music was his vision of a utopian world where we could all get along and respect and celebrate our differences. I've often thought how sad it is that you rarely hear a white artist talk about race and the goal of racial harmony. It's always either a black artist, or a duet between a black and white artist. Anyway, his artistic vision, his intent or even his perception by audiences as possibly something more than human, and therefore beyond something as specific as a particular racial identity, does not negate the fact that he was a human, who happened to be, and identify as black (whether that's the entire sum or a mixture of racial backgrounds.) Why would any of this upset anyone?
Race is a tricky topic and means different things to different people. Like I said before, people see the world through their own lens.
You're right. I agree with everything you said in the video. It's just sad that you had to say it.
I’ve always known Prince was black and so does the black community, especially AA people who were “around” (I was a teenaged high-school student) when Soft and Wet was getting AirPlay on BLACK radio stations. My face isn’t as pretty as Prince’s but we are the same color and both Prince and I have Afro hair and Black facial-features. My parents are both AA, but they are in mine and Prince’s skin-tone range.
Please keep discussion respectful and civil. How I see it, society lumps everyone who is a minority into a 'people of color' catagory, and that does not bother me much. However, Prince himself identified as black, even if he had other ethinicites in him; it's his choice what he relates to. I'm arabic but I sympathize with many of the plights of the black community and every other community for that matter because we are all human beings. Keep up the good work fellow friend!
It's no question that Prince was black. Black is beautiful!
RAINBOW CHILDREN. That is all...
Perfect reply!
YES!!!
I mean... The Rainbow Children still discusses what it means to be black, a person of color, a minority, etc. just saying the words “Rainbow Children” doesn’t really add much to the conversation. Can you elaborate on how the rainbow children relates to the discussion at hand? Cheers!
@@PrincesFriend one of the things that I have always loved about my fellow "Geminiian" mentor PRN was his cryptic messages. He didn't spend tons of time explaining himself. If people want clarity they need to listen and digest the album. Don't take this comment the wrong way. I REALLY LOVE this post!!!! You said just about everything I would say. My response was nothing more than a "ringshout", affirmation, Ase, Selah, Amen! Lol.
But on a slightly triggered moment/rant, I'm tired of explaining race and racism to people that have google just like we do. I have resolved to no longer do homework for these "bullies". #TheGooch
In his (in)famous performance of 'America' in Nice, France, there's a big 'ol Pan-African flag in the background. Mr. Nelson was letting people know where he stood on some issues, even during the Revolution era. Many just missed it.
In terms of a 'Rainbow Child' i do look at it in a spiritual sense. A 'Rainbow Child' is someone who is of one of the highest, if not highest level of spiritual awareness (think Indigo child), which is why i think Prince could travel/navigate amongst all that demonic energy and not be bothered. But in this context of a 'racial' conversation, 'Rainbow Children' seems to be a good response. Everything from the cover art to the music read 'I AM AFRICAN (BLACK)!!!!'
Appearance wise. .....he could pass for many nationalities! I believe that's why its in question.
Prince was gorgeous! #Mayulive2cthedawn💜💜💜
RIP.
Yes Prince was a proud Brown man and he spoke well of all races. His fan was a mixture of all races.
BEAUTIFUL VIDEO BEAUTIFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND YOU HIT EVERY MEANINGFUL AND TRUE POINT THANK YOU💜💜💜
Seriously? Yes he was black! Black and proud! Both of his parents were black. He was not mixed. I miss and Love u Prince! ❤️
I am from U.K. as you said we don't care about Race .Prince could have been yellow with pink spots on but still the great musician he was and a Genius .I loved him for that and his beautiful voice
.I Remember when Elvis first came on the radio in U.K. Think I was about 11 ,no one had seen him as NO
TV, and he never did any shows here .
We all thought he was black by the way he sang, but we bought his records ,it didnt matter if he was black the voice was the thing
Well, I said ya’ll care less. Lol.
:) 0(+->
Prince was a proud black man who loved everyone regardless of their own race. Beautiful human
Well there are people out there (lots of them-most casual fans) that think Purple Rain is a biopic, because it has some biographical elements from Prince's life. So I think a lot of people thought he was mixed (and therefore not black) based on the "Controversy" lyrics and the fact that he is portrayed as biracial in PR.
But even with that, if he was mixed in the time he was born you couldn't be "mixed" or biracial. That wasn't a thing. You were socialized by what you looked like or could pass for, and usually that was your browner side. So he was black regardless.
That's why it was called a semi-biopic
You expressed it beautifully!💜
“You never would’ve drank my COFFEE if I didn’t serve you cream” ~Prince
Is that a song and what's the meaning
@@sowhat...The song's called "What's my name" from the Crystal Ball album. Meaning if he didn't dilute himself down to be palatable to the "mainstream" collectives ears they wouldn't have accepted his offerings and contributions.
I’ve never questioned his race or ethnicity, he was Prince, a handsome soft spoken and intelligent man who was beyond talented.
Okay, for those who were younger than 18 when Prince emerged on the scene in the late '70's, lots of people thought he was Puerto Rican. Some even thought Prince was related to Freddie Prinze, Senior, who died in 1977. Prince actively promoted the idea that he was half black and Italian (ripping off Jill Jones heritage) for most of the 80's, although his Mom wasn't having it😎. His family was from Louisiana, but the genealogy trees online are not reliable, so who knows what ethnicities he represented in total. Some claim his great grandparents on one side were French and Cherokee..singing evangelists. Who knows?I'm mixed, and GET why Prince didn't feel like identifying himself as any "race" initially. One documented reason is his resistance 2 being stuck in WB's black division because they spent less $ on developing black artists, and Prince wanted more marketing and exposure. As time passed, however, Prince definitely focused on identifying as an African American man. I was very proud of his challenging WB, discussing topics like chem trails and fake history. Prince was a GREAT black American man, and I truly wish he was still around to point out how the wounds of racism....the denial of racism in the US, are still preventing the Utopia he envisioned from materializing. We need to continue to insist on preserving his legacy: music, fashion, movies, performance, politics and humanitarianism. 💜
I'm 31 now and been a Prince fan since I was 13. We're black Europeans and my mother, who is in her 70s now, told me that in the 1980s, IN EUROPE, when the media started to hype him against Jackson, the European media DIDN'T PRESENT HIM AS A BLACK MAN and Prince DID NOT want to say he was BLACK back in the 1980s, now we all know this. Prince was also a well known colorist and only began to speak on racial issues when he became older. Prince didn't want to present himself as a black man back in the day. But both his parents were mixed that's for sure. He was a black American but also multiracial
Yes he was black. The coolest thing about him is that he brought/brings every color/race/gender/age together through his music. Unfortunately I never took the opportunity to see him live, regrettably, but I have attended a Prince symphonic orchestra last summer and I was amazed at the crowd that was there. Looking forward to the 4U tribute in less than 2 weeks!
Keri Story: He was about as black as Derek Jeter, Willy Monfret, Jeremy Meeks, Wentworth Miller, The Rock and Will Lemay.
mrscox27 both his parents were black for sure, but his family must be mixed somewhere. My point wasn’t as much about his color as it was about how his music and showmanship brings everyone together.
Why does everyone assume just because he was light he was mixed. There are blacks that are light, medium skin tone and a darker skin tone. Same goes with all the other races.
bg. DNA test results and studies show that most African Americans are mixed at least by around 20% sometimes more and sometimes less. People are on the net saying Prince is not Black. Next thing you know they will be saying he is White.
I like the fact that you are informed and don't say "I don't see color". It's ok to see color because seeing it means that you do "see" every part of the person. Not seeing color means you don't "see" the person. He/she does exist and that's the best way to not be racist.
He was black identified but definitely had some mixed ancestry in his family as most afro americans do.
Grew up a fan of his music.
Prince was a black man who had the courage to be himself. Like Jimi Hendrix, he came from a town where there was a lot of musical and racial variety, and importantly where people stay indoors a lot because of the weather, so it gives sensitive souls time to practice and really find themselves. Also like Hendrix he had made connections with white people who believed in him and his talent.
You'd never have drank my coffee if I never fed you cream.- What's my name ?
What does that quote mean
+Coach Wane It means that if Prince had not played the industry game of playing racially ambiguous, playing down his blackness that, he wouldn't have been as successful. At least that's how he saw it.
Was a man whose parents were both black , a black man? Please. Some people just putting too much cream in the coffee.
I think it's much more interesting than cream.....lol. They're high on life!
His parents were Creole which is pure mixed heritage not black ...its a difference unless your playing the one drop rule.
From Breakfast Can Wait - "You can't leave a black man in this state . . ."
Love that line
you actually hit a nail about europeans not being so race discriminating. although being well aware that some of his songs are either pointed at or discussing real African-american struggles, they are still amazing and speak to me. the emotion and feelings in those song come out strong and so beautifully (like the song Dreamer, you mentioned, but also his later song Baltimore are only a couple of many of his more black oriented songs). to me it's unreal to hear that people invalidate his black heritage because he's not "thug" enough. dang shame. but yes. it is also very true, that Prince wanted to reach the hearts and cultures of everyone. and, to my mind, he did. maybe not everyone, but a little bit of everyone from everywhere around the world, without ever disregarding his own heritage. i am aware, that Prince was born and raised in a time where being black was just barely gaining creative freedom. many wondrous musicians were left forgotten, or worse, used by non-black musicians and bands to get famous. (Led zeppelin comes to mind). And thus, it is understandable why Prince wanted to be known, and known especially for who he was and not what he was and held so much value over the creative control and ownership of his music. on a side note - to also end my comment: i personally think that if anything, prince had inherited his mother's beautiful charming face. that is something hard to deny ny anyone. hihi.
Prince was so beautiful! Listening to him helped me lose my inhibitions! He was so free! He was swept away by his music. So much so that listening to his music swept me away! Still does! That's what made him such a great singer & musician! He's sooo missed, by so many! RIP my purple Prince! Know you are missed by so many!
Prince--Black. His Mom--Black. His Dad--Black. Look at Prince's 1978 afro. BLACK. Look at his luscious lips! Black. That originality, brilliance, and genius. BLACK.
Loved your response here PF. I couldn't have said it better.
Prince was born black, he is and always will be black. Thank you 💔🎸☔️👏🏽💜💜
Prince was black prince was straight prince was gorgeous prince was unique and everything beyond above all things prince IS a legend
Latino is not a race tho....so many Latinos are of African ancestry.
Ethnicity and race are two different things actually.
Latino is a culture not a race. There are black latinos and white latinos
In the U.S.A, a Latino person originates from one of the Latin American countries in Central or South America or is a descendant of such a person. Latino is an American term coined in 1946. Latin and Latino are not synonymous.
As we know, many people of European descent that were born in Louisiana, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America are often mixed a good deal more with other races and/or the original culture has been changed significantly by the influences of other races and the environment. As I understand it, I don't think Spanish, French or Portuguese Europeans recognize their descendants in the Americas to be of exactly the same ethnicity just like in the past many Africans have been said to think of African Americans as White. A good movie depicting this dynamic in the Caribbean is The Wide Sargasso Sea. The Sargasso has a great amount of seaweed. To me it symbolizes among other things a great murkiness and suggests even though there are ties, there will be great differences once the sea is crossed in either direction. The movie was based upon an English literature novel of the same name. Check it out. We all should be united as human beings, but we know on Planet Earth only something catastrophic like aliens from outer space would be the impetus for that type of unity.
RnB4Sure I understand stand your point of view, this 🌎 could benefit a great deal when we seek truth. As well as wisdom.
I love Prince for his conversational ways, makes people think. I love the diversity in his band, music, life. He wants unity. I never ran from his music, I love it all, I have all his albums that were released in the USA INCLUDING "Welcome to America". He is what all people should be.
As a mixed person people who don’t walk in our shoes feel like they can put us in what ever category they feel like so as a mixed person I identify what ever tf I wanna identify as not what other people think
Me too
An amazing video! Not only did you talk about your topic, but you delved deep into the complications of race in a very thoughtful way. The way you navigated race and perceptions of race in this video was one of the most profound ways I’ve seen in a long, long while. Thought-provoking. I will definitely be sharing this video around.
Oh wow thanks a lot
I stand by you man, I absolutely agree with you!
Listen to his song "Adore". Only a black man could make a soulful song like that.
My most favorite Prince tune. Ever 💔
Really? Why?!
Prince was a mixed raced man. Half black half caucasian.
PRINCE was definitely a black man. He stated that he said he was mixed to reach a broader audience in his early years.
This has always been asked. His Mothers side has been said there's Italian. White. & African American . His father's side African American. . This is How i see him Prince. A Strong Man who knew what he wanted. Color didn't make him.. Color doesn't make who any of us are. God put color so we wouldn't look the same.. He bled the same color as we all do. Whether Prince was light skin or dark skin. Prince... To me... Was about TRUTH. LOVE. EQUALITY. & HUMBLENESS. There's some people who have nonevof this. Prince had all these Qualities. Prince wasnt perfect as none of us are. Color doesn't make you. It's everything you do and everything you don't That's a Reflection on you... I love Prince for who he is and what he stands for. Not just because he's a Good looking man. He's deeper than that. & that's a color you cant define.... Peace...
Articulated with great emphasis..
His mother was Black. His father was Black.
I can’t believe that people didn’t know. I guess he got so good at obscuring his identity that people were really fooled.
That could be it maybe.
He called himself a Black man numerous times tho....
He called himself a black man later on. In the beginning he stated he was mixed. I grew up knowing that he was a black man. Since his passing i heard him say his mom was italian in an interview from the 80s it was on YT but not anymore. Than in 2004 he told a reporter his dad was italian. For some reason he would tell the media this i'm not sure why. I think his parents were both black everybody's skin tone varies they were light. it doesn't mean they are mixed.
@@B.Jewels Miscegination is not a new concept. The New World in the Americas was built on the movement of many different peoples from many places from around the world, including Europe, and the enforced slavery of Africans from Africa. Not forgetting the indigenous Native populations of the Americas who were also displaced. Undoubtedly Miscegination took place on the plantations in the southern States where Prince' ancestors would have been forced to work on the cotton plantations. Exploitation and rape of human beings by the slave masters was common practice, this is where the lighter skin tone originated. That page in history is not a proud one. There was a lot of miscegination over the years. Prince wrote a song 'Dreamer' from the 'lotus flow3r' album. In this song the opening lyric is 'I was born on the same plantation of the United States of the Red White and Blue'. The reference points to being exploited. Another song from the same album 'Colonised Mind' also addresses this issue.
@@sevensisters888 No kidding. In my comment i was talking about a whole other thing.
Hey. Prince's Friend don't pay attention to people who say you're this or that I appreciate the information you give us. Now people are always gonna hate,but you know that already. I love that you're Prince's Friend, and really hope that you continue to keep feeding us information so that we can keep his legacy strong. Well thats about all I have to say other than what I said about keeping Prince's legacy going, he is a special artist, and a great humanitarian, and deserves all the accolades , because he always said that the reason he was a perfectionist is hes doing that for the people, he always wanted us to have the best music possible.
Well stated PF. I am a bit surprised people would even have asked.
On the GOLDNIGGA cd Prince sang, "Black muthaf×ckas in the house!" On the Come cd he had the song "Race". People look at the movie Purple Rain and think Prince was portraying his parentage, but the story is his and Vanity's and her mother was Italian and her dad was black. Her dad even looks like Clarence Williams III.
Vanity's blonde mom was German-Jewish and Polish-Jewish . Her dad was Black and Native American.
Either way Purple Rain was not about Prince's black parents which was my point.
Vanity mom was not italian.
@@B.Jewels Yeah, my point was/is that both of Prince's parents were black and it was Vanity who came from mixed heritage.
He was definitely black but surely it's not inappropriate to suggest that he may have European ancestry? His father was from Louisiana. Creole heritage, perhaps?
no just stop u trying to hard
@@Prince1999-1 If Prince was 100% African, it's not as if I'd love him any less... but going by his appearance, I don't think it's reaching... and I'm aware that people from different regions in Africa have different complexions...
Love the videos,keep it up!
Will do. This one has been and is likely be even more emotionally draining, so I may take a break for a few days.
"STRONG, PROUD BLACK MAN" YES!!
Excellent video PF!! Well put!
👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
Great video. I always knew Prince was black. In his early days he did down play being black and hinting he was biracial.His music was all that mattered to me.
Very well done. I will never understand why it's so important for some people to put others into a box. Please keep up the great work.
Prince is biracial but he considered himself black because it was in his bloodline
Kandi Kane. It is evident that Prince is of mixed ancestry. Most of us Blacks in America are to a lesser or greater degree, but according with your line of reasoning, Prince could also have considered himself White because it was in his bloodline. HOWEVER, everyone knows that would not fly in America. As such, it is apparent that Prince identified as Black for much more complex reasons than Black being in his bloodline. He was not living in Louisiana where descendants of once Free People of Color have their own separate culture and racial identity. He was a man living in the world and was or became very aware of what was going on here in America as well as elsewhere.
It is also a fact if you are black person with a light skin complexion in the music or entertainment business the more advantages you have Prince was also aware of this early in his career, but he was proud of his blackness and understood the struggles but it didn’t stop him from doing what he wanted to do. He didn’t let color restrict him.
Kandi Kane. I am light skinned and I have been around long enough to know that light skin is not always advantageous. It depends on what skin complexion is currently in vogue and the level of consciousness of the people. It was a disadvantage when the Black and Proud/Black Power movement was at it's height. The Purple Rain era came later. Prince would have never happened during that period. There would have been no Purple Rain, Graffiti Bridge or Under the Cherry Moon movies, no Jerome Benson hype man and no Violet the Organ Grinder, etc., etc. The average Prince fans in their 40's to early 50's probably don't know much about that period. In my opinion, Prince was not exactly the champion for Black causes early in his career. I think there was a gradual awakening. From what I read on this channel, the NAACP had issues with Prince at one point. I could not confirm that info but I could see that it could have been possible. Also Alan Leeds had to warn Prince not to forsake his initial fan base. I don't fault Prince for doing what he had to do, but I am glad he awoke and did not forsake his Blackness despite his mixed ancestry given the history of this country.
I agree, in order to propell his career ahead, Prince played up his look of racial ambiguity. This was more than likely due to music in the 80s and prior had color lines. I was a kid and young teen in the 80s and I remember when award shows had categories such as best "Black" Artist or best "Black" Album or when you shopped for music, there was a section titled "Black" music. I think that earlier on in his career, Prince literally romanced White culture in order for his music to break the color barrier. I think after his fight with Warner Brothers and losing the rights to his music, Prince then became Black consciousness.
Here, here. I could not have said that better. Great video. No matter your racial makeup, in our society, if you look black, you are considered black. Prince was certainly a black man even though he was bie-racial.
Oh Prince's Friend, what a can of worms you have opened here! Love the video, great job!
I have a special worm can opener. It’s what I do sometimes. I try to keep it at once a month that we have to deal with worms though LOL
Prince's Friend Baaaaa Haaaa Haaaaa! But you are right in what you said. I am a light-skinned Black woman of mixed race, Black, Irish, Cherokee, and Filipino. It is insulting when people say I am not Black, or "not that Black." I get this on both sides of the color-line. But I also realize most people do not mean to be insulting. But we all live and learn.
Prince is light skinned with green eyes! there's definitely some white in his bloodline but Prince will always be a BLACK man with an afro
You do realize that light eyes and light skin are NOT exclusive to Caucasians, right? Africoid people have always been genetically diverse, even without any admixture.
yes and the point is he is BLACK did you get that part?
+DaneilliaHartBee Mee By mentioning his skin and eyes, and mentioning Caucasian blood in connection to those features; whether you realize or not it seemed as though you were detracting from him being black. Yes, I know that he was black. Any admixture to that is to be expected from those of us descendant from Africans who were enslaved. So, it seems redundant to bring it up.
Thanks for unsolicitedly breaking down what i intended to say... i guess... "Any admixture to that is to be expected from those of us descendant from Africans who were enslaved." that's clearly what i said in layman's term lol don't pick what you want and run with it then end up contradicting yourself and yes i do realize that light eyes and light skin are NOT exclusive to Caucasians.. do you? how unnecessary was this we're basically saying the same thing... Does it matter to you that he's black?
+DaneilliaHartBee Mee Yes, I know but, it didn't seem as if you did. I didn't contradict myself. It matters that he is known as black or African-American because too many times down through history, those of our people who are admired for something are hijacked by implying or outright lying about their ethnic identity. As if nothing of value comes from us. And no, I don't mean you. I mean the media.
I'm always amazed that we still have these kind of debates about Prince you are 100 percent right Prince answered all these questions when he was alive several times just keep up the good work man just keep up the good work
Thanks, David! Will do!
Great show! Yes! Prince is black!! Prince did say in an interview, I believe for MTV, that he was of mixed backgrounds. He did not want to be typed cast into one specific demographic audience. He wanted his music to be heard by “everyone”. So does it really matter? Prince is Prince, I don’t think of him as being Black (he is Black), White, Latino, Asian or Native American. I think of Prince as being worldly for everyone, for every race!! He artist, a genius and now a Doctor - he is the G.O.A.T.💚💙💜💛🌟🌟
Your video has raised an interesting topic of race. What race is Prince is interesting because the difference in the definition of a persons race is different in the UK than in the USA. In the UK a person defines their own race as either mixed race, black or white. For example if a person is white/Afro Caribbean, the individual is said to be of mixed race.
In an early interview in 1981 with Mick Boskamp, Prince talked about his race, and he said his Father was of African American and Italian descent. Therefore Prince could be perceived as mixed race. Wikipedia describes Prince’s parents as African American, therefore he would be perceived as black.
Later in life Prince was very apparent in seeing himself as a black.
With 11000 subs now your bound to get some bad apples in the comments. I agree 100% with what you said in the video. You bring up great points about how it's hard for society to accept someone as a black male if they aren't tough, not very well spoken, and other stereotypes. I think it did matter that Prince was black because it certainly mattered to him. Great video!
Also my best friend used to get tormented in high school because he "wasn't black enough" he listened to rage against the machine instead of the music I listened to which tends to be more black and he is well mannered and polite and somehow thats also "not black enough" according to the people in western Massachusetts. I m glad I did watch this again I think u did a really good job.
Thanks so much. And I’m glad you healed up. That’s was faster than I was expecting lol
Now that we've established that Prince is a black man. Lets discuss U playing Prince.
I’d do it. I have a decent voice too. Just saying. Lol
Prince's Friend 😉
kcoolmuziq yes
Brilliant
brother was a light skinned black dude. white folks should pay attention to black people....we come in all shades and hair types
Perfectly said PF.👍🏽 I didn’t hear a rant✊🏽
Well, I ranted a bit about people who threaten to unsubscribe lol. But I’m glad it didn’t come off that way
Thats why I love his song Paisley Park. He sings about an Utopian place where everyone was welcome, nobody will be judged, come as you are.
I TOTALLY agree with you!
In an interview on " Lopez Tonight, "Prince said he knows his father is black but they can't find out who his mother's dad is. She had a complexion like Prince. I wish people would just chill out about race and just talk about his talent and the kind of person he was.
Prince's song 'RACE' is a song about going against 'race-politics' and he was for all children, all people, to focus on race, is kind of throwing that away, or ignoring what Prince sang about. But for the sake of an argument or further analysis, which honestly, it's kind of playing into race politics, which AGAIN, is something sang against, okay, we can say that Prince is a Black American artist. But really, Prince was really just an AMERICAN legendary recording and performing artist, one of America's best that America's culture, produced. Prince was Rock N Roll's baby, he fused Black American genre's of which really are America's art forms, ie Blues, Jazz, ... later Rock n Roll, Funk, etc. It all comes back in my view, to simply, 'American'. When you do that, you follow Prince's RACE message and what he was communicating, to look beyond 'race', he and we should really ultimately mark 'Human'. I believe still, in that Prince, the Prince of 'Free', of 'America'. 'Days O Wild'. 'Race'. --Gary
Very well articulated.
I’d argue that you can’t take a handful of songs and apply it to anyone. His songs were a reflection of what he felt st that time and if you listen closely, that message of looking beyond race changed to putting race under a Microscope. I love everything you said, though. Just saying that I’m not ignoring “Race” but I’m also looking beyond that one song to lots of other songs that are its complete opposite.
Thank you Prince's Friend. We can disagree and find common ground. In my view, now after Prince has passed onto the cosmos as I like to say, and looking at the overall arch of Prince's work, it can be divided, just like the true Gemini that Prince was, into two large periods, the Warner Bros Records era and the independent era. In the first part, politically, Prince was a right winger and loved Reagan, and expressed conservative, individualist, individual empowering views in many of his songs.
It's not just in a handful of songs, you'll find this most of his songs, they had right wing, conservative views mixed in with songs about Uptown and what now is called 'diversity'. Even SOTT is a conservative right wing leaning song as was/is '1999'! Who do you think he's referring to as 'baby' in SOTT!
Then, the other half is when Prince became more and more liberal, leftist in his views and this second flip side period starts during the Emancipation era and Prince keeps snowballing into extreme leftist views so much so that by One Night Alone, certain parts of his audience at his concerts where grumbling and almost booing some of Prince's far left views on politics and religion! I know, I was there! In both periods. It's as clear as day and night.
It would make for an interesting topic of discussion, it may get heated, especially when you look at who he was rubbing shoulders with towards the last few years of his life. Prince's politics were two sided, and in one of them he was actually the most free and did his very best work, guess which period that is... ! --Gary
Just incredible, and also highly needed.
I am seriously stunned that there are people saying such things, was Prince Black our not.
Duh.
Freaking blind people would even see it, I mean jeez.
So yes Thank You for making this video and for once and for all setting the record straight.
For us fans who are honest about it all, means a lot.
Bless You.
So I appreciate your attempt to evoke the colorism issue the Black Community has..You know Prince was who he was..I've been listening to Prince for years..I was influenced by him and his way of depicting race and gender. I'am brown skin ,he is light skin..but the way how America is,you had to play up to the masses. For some reason thats what he did,he said in an interview that he wanted to make music that appeal to many and he wanted to be judged for the quality of his work. You know he grew up likeing bands like Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone .His Blackness is being brought for debate,because they want to make sure that the Blackness is not so celebrated..they want to have something for them. Prince was brilliant,he just so happened to be a brilliant blackman who was an awesome musican,businessman. May he Rest in Power and forgive these petty debates,While we continue to support his habits. Miss you Prince.
Prince knew who he was but was intelligent and shrewd enough to recognize how the world was, as well! He never denied his identity but chose to capitalize on and use his light skin and good looks to advance his career in the industry! He was well aware of the prejudice and racism in America 🇺🇸 And only after gaining the fame and acceptance needed to establish his influence did he use his fame, influence and resources to help advance his passion, which was his People!!!! Great man and a great story!!!
Brilliant yet again!!!! Really enjoyed this. Me myself, I'm of mixed heritage but do call myself black because from an early age society said I was black, well back in the day they used the term coloured.
I like all people as much as they like me and I loved Prince for who he was and how his music made me feel. Thanks again Prince's Friend, a really good video.
This middle-aged white chick has LOVED Prince in all of his glorious blackness since I first discovered him in the early 80s. But he could have been a "smurf" and I would still have loved him ... because he was (still is) PRINCE.
I don’t know... I’m trying to picturing Princey Smurf. Lol
LOL! I wasn’t aware this was even a question. Just listen to songs like “Baltimore” and “Race”, and that’ll answer the question for you. The man actually wrote “SLAVE” on his face for almost a decade from the early 90’s to the early 2000’s. He also said in interviews (what few he actually did) that when it came to the music industry that if you don’t own your master (tapes), your “master” owns you. Basically though, Prince was Black because he said that he was Black...he especially did this more later in his carrier. Great Video. 👍🏽
Prince's Friend - I didn't think what you said was" long and ranty" at all. I loved that man with a passion! And I would fight a brick about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was my first love (from afar of course) and my favorite artist of all times. Now that's a tall order considering we had so much talent in our generation. I will always love him.
Oh, I'm Rite There With You!
Prince was definitely black. I think Purple Rain confused people because they cast a white woman as his mother. People started saying his mother is white. No that was in the movies 😂💜
Both of Prince's parents were light skinned Blacks. There is an interview of his sister Tyka Nelson discussing the difficulties that their mother had because she was a light skinned Black woman. Tyka also mentioned that she has too experienced difficulties growing up because she was so light skinned. I mention all of this because I think that the Purple Rain movie portraying Prince's mom as White has also played a part in the confusion of Prince's race. One can actually Google pictures of Prince's parents and you will clearly see that both were light skinned Blacks.
They were Creole .. Creoles are not black they are mixed of everything .
Shay Lolabean, I am referencing to how Tyka Nelson classified her family as. There are interviews of her classifying them as Black. Even the acceptance speech she had done for receiving an award on Prince's behalf, I think it was the Billboard awards, she referred to Prince as a "young Black kid from Minneapolis". I know his parents and grandparents are from Louisiana, however, I have not found any sources stating that they stated that they were of creole descent. Please advise where one can find this information. I am unsure if people are assuming that they are creole because they were light skinned and grandparents were from Louisiana. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they were creole.
People really have a problem with him been black
It wasn't just white people who left Prince in his later years because of the blues, jazz, and old school funk music that he was doing, it was many other races of his fans as well. I'm black and I liked Prince's music from For You till Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. Prince wasn't making that modern R&B, Pop, Funk, Rock music like he used to. Plus when he became a Jehovah's Witness and began acting very sanctimonious, that was a big turn off. His music was no longer risque and futuristic and sounded like old rehashing of James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Rufus, and Graham Central Station like he got stuck in the 60's & 70's. When Prince was on Warner Brothers trying to get off, he said that they holding him back from putting out a lot of great music as well owning his masters. I was thinking once he left Warner Brothers that we were going to get music that was 100x times better then Purple Rain, The Gold Experience, 1999, Sign O the Times, Batman Soundtrack etc. But that wasn't the case.
I love going to live concerts. I have seen acts like Jodeci, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Brenda K. Star, Mark Anthony, Damian Marley, Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs N Harmony, A Tribe Called Quest, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and I got to see Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary in New York (where I'm from). I would have loved to seen Prince live, but was told by friends who went that Prince sometimes didn't play the classics and played a lot of the new material, that fans didn't care for. Then most of all, they said he would start preaching his religion at the concerts. That was enough to keep me from ever going to see him perform live. I always thought that one day he would loosen up and I would get that free spirit Prince again, unfortunately that never happened.
Prince and I had some things in common, we were both short light skin racially ambiguous androgynous black men with free spirits who dated women of all races, well till Prince found religion. Prince, Michael Jackson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Dennis Rodman are people that I identified with because they helped make this black introverted weirdo feel not so weird in a world that likes to tell black men how they are supposed to be like.
To be fair if you listen to those albums you referenced again, you'll find there is a strong religious theme running through them. You might mistake the subject for sex but more accurate he refers to faith. The cross, theives in the temple, 7. There are so many. Ultimately he wrote what inspired him and the strength and beauty of his writing meant that for the listener every song could be interpreted according to ones state of mind. I agree that there was a purple period of his best work, and if you listened and loved him then you'd love him forever in everything thing he did, he was my hero, and I identified my blackness in him. I found out that being black just means the you are the skin colour you are born with, nothing more and nothing less.
I went to a lot of concerts. And real fans loved his shows.
Every show was different. Even in the same tour. He played always old songs. Sometimes 4 in a minute. Real fans recognized them.
He had so many songs.
And we all loved them.
I'm saddened that somebody lied to you about Prince shows. They must have not wanted you to go so they could get your spot. Sorry boo, but maybe aside from Micheal his shows were better than all the ones you've seen combined.
@@aldanielfrancis5190 Love your comment! Flawless Truth!