Lost treasure of a Prince
Unearthed Treasure of a Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson, the epitome of a musical prodigy, was born on a rainy Saturday, June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His extraordinary talent was evident from a very early age as he penned his first song at the tender age of seven. By the time he reached his teenage years, Prince was already crafting future pop anthems, including the timeless "1999." At 17 years old, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records, paving the way for an extraordinary career that would leave an unforgettable mark on all music.
Prince's innovative musical, genre-bending style disobeyed categorization. His seamless blending of funk, rock, R&B, new wave, soul, psychedelia, and pop resulted in a vast and diverse body of work that has influenced countless musicians across all genres of the music landscape. With over 100 million records sold globally, Prince's flamboyant stage presence, extravagant fashion sense, and wide vocal range propelled him to the pinnacle of pop music alongside such icons as Michael Jackson and Madonna during the 1980s.
In 1984, Prince achieved unparalleled success by releasing the soundtrack album "Purple Rain," accompanying his film debut. The album spent an impressive 24 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Its title track became an anthem, earning Prince an Academy Award. Throughout the 1990s, his popularity continued to soar, and he formed a new backing band called The New Power Generation in 1991.
Prince's musical output became even more diverse as he aimed to distance himself from what he viewed as restrictive contractual obligations. Prince ultimately wanted more creative control of his music, proper ownership of his masters, looser release limitations, and more room to express himself artistically (mainly to piss off the 'pearl-clutchers').
In 1993, in response to these concerns, Prince made several unconventional moves, including changing his stage name to an unpronounceable glyph (referred to as the "Love Symbol") as a form of protest against his record label, Warner Bros., and releasing albums at a rapid pace to fulfill contractual obligations and regain control over his music. Prince's dissatisfaction with his contractual obligations reflected his strong artistic vision and desire for creative freedom. He sought to challenge the established norms of the music industry and pave his path, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on the music world.
Tragically, on April 21, 2016, Prince's life was cut short at 57 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. The world mourned the loss of this musical genius, especially given that it was the same year the industry bid farewell to another legend, David Bowie, to whom Prince had paid tribute earlier. Prince earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including eight Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for "Purple Rain." He was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Prince's tenacity to create and record music is well known. But where is it? Where is this literal treasure trove? Who is hiding it? Don't worry. It's all in a secure vault! The vault's mystique took center stage after Prince's untimely departure in 2016. In an exciting collaboration with Warner Bros. Records, the Prince estate announced that they would release unheard music straight from the vault. The result? The mind-blowing posthumous album "Originals" (2019) is a dazzling collection of Prince's original recordings of songs penned for other artists.
Whispers from insiders and interviews have shed some light on the magnificence within the vault's depths. In an interview with The Guardian, Susan Rogers, Prince's sound engineer, tantalizingly described the scene: meticulously labeled tapes, not just completed songs, but alternate versions, demos, and electrifying live recordings. It's a musical paradise awaiting unearthing.
However, in 2017, The New Yorker delved into the vault's mysteries, titling their exposé "Prince's Mysterious Vault." They revealed that this sanctuary of sound was meticulously temperature and humidity controlled, preserving the recordings' pristine quality. And hold your breath because it's not just audio gems locked away—the vault also houses rare video footage of Prince's captivating live performances and mesmerizing rehearsals.
Quantifying the number of unreleased songs within the vault is arduous, like counting the stars in the Purple Universe. In an interview with BBC News, Prince's former manager, Alan Leeds, tantalized our imaginations, suggesting a staggering 8,000 to 10,000 unreleased songs waiting patiently in the vault's depths. The specific contents of this musical nirvana remain shrouded in secrecy, leaving fans wide-eyed and eager to uncover the hidden treasures that lie within.
To honor the master, Price’s sister Tyka Nelson will be giving us a taste at the annual event, Celebration, at Prince's Paisley Park estate will provide fans with a glimpse into the late musician's vault of unreleased music. Scheduled for June 9 through 11, the event will feature exclusive presentations of the music Prince created before his death in 2016. Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, supported sharing even the more minor, raw recordings to inspire aspiring musicians. The vault reportedly contains thousands of unreleased records, with only a fraction being showcased at the event. Celebration 2023 will also include performances by guest artists, panel discussions, and a tribute to Prince's legacy.
So, my fellow music adventurers, brace yourselves for an exhilarating journey into Prince's mysterious vault—a sanctuary where unreleased melodies, electrifying performances, and artistic brilliance await their moment to shine. Prepare to be enchanted by the enigma that is Prince and his extraordinary musical legacy.
On what would have been his 65th birthday, The Vinyl Vagabond will honor Prince's enduring legacy with a curated list of his best and most popular songs—a small glimpse into the vast musical treasure he left behind. Join us as we celebrate the life and extraordinary contributions of this unforgettable artist who forever changed the music landscape. --VV
***Check out our Prince playlist on our official Spotify account! If you are new to Prince or want to jam, this list will get you there!
Vinyl Vagabond Presents: Prince
