Because I have more followers and a more active role in the Prince fan community (which has also grown), I decided to do the same Twitter chat again. I advertised in Facebook groups, on Prince.org again (no shade this time) and on Twitter, of course.
Check out some select responses below. You can search the #PrinceSpiritual hashtag on Twitter to see them all.
1) What are your thoughts on Prince as a spiritual artist?
For me love was always the ministry. Love and surrendering to a higher power. When you do that, you can fully express your gifts by acting as a sort of channel and that in turn will inspire others to do the same. #PrinceSpiritual— Darling Nisi (@darlingnisi) February 25, 2019
Prince blended both sexuality and faith in ways that honored them both and exposed the relationship between the two without exploiting either. Did he sometimes shock with sex and religion? Yes, but the connection between the two was them working in tandem and not at odds.— The Mountains and the Sea - A Prince Podcast (@TMATSPodcast) February 26, 2019
I s'pose saying "It's complicated" isn't much use to you. π But I will say absolutely spiritual - mysticism being a huge piece of that spirituality. He was more about love than dogma - in that and his poetry, he sits alongside the mystics of any religious tradition beautifully.— Lianne Raymond (@Lianne_R) February 25, 2019
When I was getting into Prince, I was also confirming my own atheism, which is where I remain. But I appreciated (and was moved by) much of his spiritual work of the '80s which, while coming from a decidedly Christian perspective, generally didn't feel overbearing to me.— zs (@Gonzeux) February 26, 2019
Ive never thought of him as a "spiritual artist", more so a human who was curious & researched many subjects. I appreciate the fact he studied/incorporated themes of an ancient/esoteric nature (chakras 3rd eye akashic records Etc) along with organised religion, not many do— Nunya Biznis (@FelineMoon3) February 26, 2019
— Scott Woods (@scottwoodssays) February 25, 2019
Looking at his engagement with religion in various forms and depths, it seemed to me that ultimately Prince went through most of the typical transformations that anybody else goes through, but expressed that search in a way we could observe. Which also complicated matters bc...
...he always had to present as "right". Not an outstanding conclusion for religious folk, but when you reinvent as publicly as he did, it complicates the journey. So ultimately I think any definitive take on P and spirituality ends up at the doorstep of "searching."— Scott Woods (@scottwoodssays) February 25, 2019
I learned a lot from him through the convergence of sexuality and spirituality...which isn't that separate in reality...love can be the connection between the two. He blended the lines that probably shouldn't be there in the first place. https://t.co/LTOXmM2g9s— donna marbury (@DonnaMarbury) February 26, 2019
2) Thoughts on Prince's decision to eliminate "Darling Nikki," etc. and profanity
from shows?
I thought removing more salacious material was fine (particularly considering his age). But I hated that he modified lyrics - it always felt so awkward. "23 scriptures," "Work that body like you want some more," etc. I would rather cut those songs from the set completely.— zs (@Gonzeux) February 26, 2019
I didn't experience it in real time like a lot of older fans did, but it still felt like a betrayal of the more rebellious sensibility of his earlier music/persona. To me it plays into conservative notions of "bad" language, respectability, etc. that don't jibe with my beliefs.— π (@zchoskins) February 26, 2019
Counterpoint : One of the final times I saw him live, he triggered the “Darling Nikki” loop, let it run for ages and was visibly conflicted, looking like he really wanted to sing it.— Casey Rain (aka S-Endz) (@CaseyRain) February 26, 2019
While I don't discount a religious take here, I think this had more to do with showing he didn't need titillation to put on a good show. Upending expectations is pretty much his primary value, even more than religion. His embracing religion is part of that core value.— Scott Woods (@scottwoodssays) February 26, 2019
#Prince took a huge risk eliminating profanity and salacious lyrics from his act. He felt that he had to be true to who he was in the moment, and it was a bold move. It's certainly not what I would have chosen for his career, but I greatly respected him for choosing it.— Franklin Bluth (@PapaFrog9) February 26, 2019
3) Thinking about the Purple Rain Tour ... what is your opinion on the "conversation with God" segment?
I dug it. It was him acting out his transformation before our eyes. Everyone said Prince was sex, sex, sex. This was him saying that kind of life isn’t the way to go. It was slightly cartoony, but in a fun way.— Prince's Friend (@PrincesFriendYT) February 27, 2019
If I remember correctly, it’s the same speech that is at the end of the song “Temptation.” It really seems to sum up Prince’s central conflict: can he be sexually liberated but still “pure” in the eyes of God. #PrinceSpiritual #Prince— Chris Bournea (@chrisbournea) February 26, 2019
I don't know that he was "working out" his spirituality on stage, but it was certainly a performance of what he might have been wrestling with privately. In terms of a show element, I could take or leave it. It served a purpose in that it lent a bit of narrative to the concert.— zs (@Gonzeux) February 27, 2019
The conversation with God is from Temptation & it demonstrates the dilemma he faces between love & lust .. the internal conflict between being good & being bad. How love should triumph over lust and that he ought to focus more on the former rather than the latter.— UMB (@deejayumb) February 27, 2019
4) Thoughts on The Rainbow Children album? Inspirational? Confusing?
I think it's completely bonkers but that's slowly become my favorite thing about it. Totally singular mix of autobiography, watered down JW doctrine and what we might call "hotep"-style Afrocentric philosophies. Nobody else would have made that album!— π (@zchoskins) February 27, 2019
I think it's in the Top 5 albums he ever made. Musically, it's sublime. I understand & respect Prince's need to assert his newfound beliefs even though I'm not a Witness myself. The Egyptology elements are fascinating. It's a masterpiece album.— ππ©π³πͺπ΄ ππ°π©π―π΄π°π― (@Art0fficialAge) February 27, 2019
Rainbow Children is my #2 album. ONA Piano & voice #1. I adore specific songs on this album but I prefer to always listen to the full project end to end w/ intent rather than passively. It's extremely dense in content w/ multiple layers of meaning & begs to be performed on stage.— Darling Nisi (@darlingnisi) February 27, 2019
I also think there is a subconscious undercurrent of trying to assuage his own guilt over leaving his wife. If he can create a divine plan for what happened, then he is not to blame. Cognitive backfill for emotional pain.— Lianne Raymond (@Lianne_R) February 27, 2019
5) Thoughts on the One Nite Alone Tour? Inspirational or too preachy?
Ok - took me awhile to get back to this- totally preachy and completely fascinating. (honestly I could write a whole paper on it) The concert album amplifies my thoughts about TRC in that it starts with the disembodied robotic masculine voice reciting the story that includes ...— Lianne Raymond (@Lianne_R) March 1, 2019
the traditional Xtian Eve story-woman succumbs to evil temptation and is cast out of the garden,etc. only to end with Anna Stesia, keystone of LoveSexy (P's own organic,unique theological album) which contains much that could be seen as expressing the Divine Feminine archetype— Lianne Raymond (@Lianne_R) March 1, 2019
and then ends with the opposite of the disembodied narrator - a fully embodied audience sing-along of the God is Love refrain - so we move from logos to eros over the course of the concert. I don't think it is intentional, but I do think it is intuitive.— Lianne Raymond (@Lianne_R) March 1, 2019
Favorite tour of all the tours promoting my favorite albums. I appreciated the suits & the focus on the music. Amazing open soundchecks to be able to ask questions & surprises (jazzy Don't Play Me?), same for aftershows (ie lovely versions of Dolphin). Didn't mind the messaging!— Darling Nisi (@darlingnisi) February 28, 2019
I'm not particularly religious, more spiritual. In my head it was talking points for discussion. For me I didn't feel preached to b/c I'm pretty secure in my beliefs. He probably sounded condescending to people, but seemed to have that tone anyway when giving feedback.— Darling Nisi (@darlingnisi) February 28, 2019
6) Which Prince song has inspired you the most, and why?
I would have to say Uptown mainly because I have always felt that everyone, no matter how left of center they may seem on the surface, is deserving of love, respect & understanding. Uptown taught me that at an early age & it stuck with me.— JayBee (@breinij) February 28, 2019
"Purple Rain" saved me from a suicide attempt when I was 12. God spoke to me through the song, telling me I was loved, needed, & I had more to learn & to do in life. God said #Prince's music would always be there to comfort & inspire me. God said P cared about me #PrinceSpiritual— ππ©π³πͺπ΄ ππ°π©π―π΄π°π― (@Art0fficialAge) February 28, 2019
Last December. So much so that I commissioned a friend to make this to remind myself of the lesson. That song also stands out as a lesson to life with intention. pic.twitter.com/qJmotGIK7R— Darling Nisi (@darlingnisi) February 28, 2019
I Would Die 4 U. It’s so upbeat and positive and always gives me a pick-me-up when I need one. It’s spiritual but also danceable. #PrinceSpiritual— Chris Bournea (@chrisbournea) February 28, 2019
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