Episode 2
DURATION: 1 HOUR
A music documentary which explores how Prince - showman, artist, enigma - revolutionised the perception of black music in the 1980s with worldwide hits such as 1999, Kiss, Raspberry Beret and Alphabet Street. He became a global sensation with the release of the Oscar-winning, semi-autobiographical movie Purple Rain in 1984, embarking on an incredible journey of musical self-discovery that continues to this day.
From the psychedelic Around the World in a Day to his masterpiece album Sign O' the Times and experiments with hip hop and jazz.
Prince remains one of most ambitious and prolific songwriters of his generation.
\He tested the boundaries of taste and decency with explicit sexual lyrics and stage shows during his early career and in the 1990s fought for ownership of his name and control of his music, played out in a public battle with his former label, Warners Bros. Records.
Prince is a trailblazer and a leader for all musicians and artists.
He continues to speak and fight for artistic freedom and ownership of one's art (Music Master Ownership).
Prince was the first artist "FREE" or to have the freedom to sell his music/art available on the Internet. He is also pioneer for artists to have their own official websites with merchandise/music available to fans and/or subscribers to purchase, cutting out the middle man with proceeds going directly to the artist.
The most flamboyant and exciting live performers around, and arguably the greatest musician and live performer dead or alive.
Prince remains a controversial and elusive creative force - as much a mystery as ever.
Contributors include Revolution guitarist Dez Dickerson, Paisley Park label president Alan Leeds, hip hop legend Chuck D and Prince 'Mastermind' and UK soul star Beverley Knight.
Some say the greatest of his generation...
There was MJ and then there Prince.
Michael is the greatest entertainer ever. The King Of Pop.
Prince is music. Prince is an artist. Prince is Prince.
It's a rivalry for the history books but it's ridicules to compare them to one another and how they expressed their "art". It's like comparing Picasso to Da vinci. Both are great, the best. But to say who's better? Michael Jackson and Prince used their extraordinary gifts to the greatest of their ability. They were born to do this. Music just comes out of them. Both changed the music industry, the recording industry, broke records and rules, and set the standard at what "artists" can accomplish. All the while changing society with it.
In a world of manufactured celebrities and wannabe's...
they both remained originals.
BBC presents a well-structured film looks at the career of the boy from Minneapolis and how he came to revolutionize music in the 1980s and to present. Via albums such as 1999, Purple Rain, and Sign O' The Times to his sexual and religious lyrics, spectacular stage shows, jaw dropping musicianship, and the funkiest performances ever to hit the stage.
Prince has rarely lacked ambition or imagination. This film captures the highs and lows of Prince’s career and also his battle for utter complete artistic control of his image and his music.
