On the first day, God created light in the darkness. On the seventh day of June in 1958, he created Prince. Prince Rogers Nelson was born in Minneapolis and would go on to become one of the most influential people in American music history.
The singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, actor, director is widely regarded by his peers as arguably the greatest musician of any generation. Throughout his five decade long career he incorporated a wide variety of styles in his music including funk, pop, R&B, rock, jazz, soul, blues, rap and new wave.
Some of his accolades include winning seven Grammys as well as an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his work on the pseudo-autobiographical film Purple Rain. It is his influence of countless artists across varies genres and generations that really provide a deep look at the importance of his work.
Through his musical innovation, iconic stage presence, gender and identity, cultural impact, pioneering production techniques, and cross-genre appeal Prince more than likely became your favorite artists favorite artist.
His innovative approach to music production, songwriting, and instrumentation pushed boundaries and set new standards for creativity in the industry. With his flamboyant fashion sense, electrifying stage presence, and unmatched charisma, Prince captivated audiences worldwide. His dynamic performances, often featuring intricate choreography and jaw-dropping guitar solos, left a lasting impression on fans and fellow musicians alike.
Prince challenged conventional notions of gender and sexuality through his androgynous appearance and provocative lyrics. He embraced fluidity in both his music and personal style, inspiring listeners to embrace their own identities without fear of judgment. Prince’s music served as a soundtrack for social change, addressing topics such as race, religion, and politics. His songs often conveyed messages of empowerment, love, and spiritual awakening, resonating with diverse audiences and sparking important conversations about equality and justice.
Prince was a trailblazer in the studio, experimenting with innovative production techniques and technology to create groundbreaking sounds. His meticulous attention to detail and sonic experimentation set new standards for music production and influenced countless producers and engineers.
Prince’s music transcended traditional genre boundaries, appealing to fans of all ages and backgrounds. His ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and create universally relatable songs solidified his status as a musical icon with broad appeal.
Throughout his career, Prince collaborated with a diverse array of artists, from established legends to emerging talents. His willingness to collaborate and mentor others not only enriched his own music but also helped elevate the careers of many artists who went on to achieve great success.
His influence can be seen through the work of The Weeknd, Justin Timberlake, D’Angelo, Beyoncé, Beck, St. Vincent, Dave Grohl and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to just name a few. The list of musicians influenced by Prince is as long as pi.
This April marked the 8th anniversary of his sudden passing and June 7 would have been his 66th birthday. Prince was never one who enjoyed celebrating his birthday but it is days like this the make fans worldwide stop to appreciate the impact his music had on their lives.
There are numerous ways one can celebrate the ‘purple Yoda from the heart of Minnesota.’ Fans can throw their own Prince-themed party where guest dress in their best Prince themed outfits and decorate the space with as much purple as the eye can handle.
You can rent a karaoke machine or hit a karaoke bar up to belt out your best rendition of “Kiss” or “Let’s Go Crazy.” If your not in the mood to go out for night on the town then settle in at home and have a Prince themed movie night. You can choose from the masterpiece that is the concert film for Sign o’ the Times, the less memorable Under the Cherry Moon, the even less memorable Graffiti Bridge, or the Oscar winning Purple Rain.
What ever you choose you will need some iconic Prince songs to get the party started. I have curated some of my favorite Prince songs to help you celebrate his Royal Badnesses birthday in style.
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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