December 2022 - My Prince Year in Review
What's in store for 2023, 2022 Prince output and input, Superfunkycalifragisexy, 52, two special, academic journal issues on Prince, Greg Tate, Dan Lacey, Wally Safford, and the one & only Bob Ruede!
Happy New Year’s Eve to You!
I hope the new year brings you and all of your loved ones continued health, happiness, and 💜!
Personally, I am going to follow James Brown’s New Year’s Resolution, this year:
What am I looking forward to in 2023?
A New, Weekly, All Year, Prince Passion Project, beginning Saturday, 7 January 2023: What Did Prince Do This Week?
I hope you’ll join me in a very slow read of Duane Tudahl’s entire Prince Studio Sessions book series through an interactive, online, weekly book club series. I’m thrilled that Duane and another special guest will be joining me to kick off the series!
I’ll be live every Saturday at noon ET on YouTube and Facebook to discuss with YOU what Prince did during the parallel week in 1983.
We’re going to start off with Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 (Expanded Edition)! We’ll read it over the course of two years. Yes, it is a commitment, but we’ll be reading the book in very small segments. Here’s the schedule.
WHY AM I DOING THIS?
Do I really have time for this? No, but I’ll make the time. I’m compelled to do so. When a Prince project idea takes hold, it burrows deep and won’t let go–I’m possessed; it’s hard to explain unless you’ve been there. Besides, I’ve wanted to do this ever since Duane’s book came out in 2017. There’s no time like the present and next year is the year to do so because it aligns–2023 vs. 1983 to be in sync so to speak. However, it’s really happening NOW because I want to remind myself of how much Prince did in a week, whenever I feel overwhelmed with work and my upcoming Prince projects.
IN MY BEST, ENTHUSIASTIC JERRY MAGUIRE VOICE, WHO'S COMING WITH ME?
If you want to join me, subscribe to the polished solid youtube channel to participate! I’m calling on you! Again, you can find the reading schedule on the dedicated website.
#TripleThreat40 Prince Symposium (last weekend in March 2023)
#TripleThreat40, a polished solid symposium, is coming Friday, March 31, 2023–Sunday, April 2, 2023, to celebrate Prince for 40 years of the albums, 1999, What Time Is It?, and Vanity 6 through presentations, roundtable discussions, and hopefully keynotes.
I’m super excited that this will be the first in-person symposium since 2019! However, we are hoping to livestream it, as well. Pre-registration will open in the next couple of weeks or so–definitely in January! Thanks so much for your patience.
Follow @polishedsolid on Twitter or subscribe to this newsletter to stay in the know!
#Come30 Virtual Symposium (August 2024)
Be on the lookout for more info on the two-day, polished solid Prince #Come30 Virtual Symposium in August! Again, follow @polishedsolid on Twitter or subscribe to this newsletter to stay in the know!
This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I didn’t accomplish everything I set out to do…
…due to numerous work commitments, coupled with chronic fatigue and stress from a significant life milestone. More often than not, however, I simply worked through my exhaustion. I got the energy to do so by putting on one of two live Prince songs: one from a rehearsal that I won’t name (eye no!) and another from a Lovesexy aftershow (duh!)–“Superfunkycalifragisexy” @ The Palace, Los Angeles (November 7, 1988).
I played both over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over on repeat for weeks, which turned into months. This specific version is the definitive one for me!
Superfunkycalifragisexy @ The Palace, Los Angeles (7 November 1988)
The audio is better in this version, but the video below is… chef’s kiss!
Thank God (I’m dead serious) for whoever shot this video and shared it with the world! It’s the gift that keeps on giving! That Auerswald Model C guitar is a beauty to behold and hear!
However, I want to remind myself of all the Prince projects *I did* complete or participate in this year AKA my Prince output!
October–Got published in the AMP: American Music Perspectives special issue on Prince with “Controversy: Materializing the Mystique and Mythology of Prince.” Massive thanks to Dr. Kirsty Fairclough and Dr. Mike Alleyne for the opportunity, and many, many thanks to the kind individuals who helped me edit, multiple rounds. You know who you are! I am eternally grateful. (I don’t want to call you out, so you’re not inundated with editing requests ;) More info on the issue below.
September–Got published in another special issue on Prince, Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Volume 12 Numbers 2&3, with “Prince as producer and creator of worlds: Absent narratives in Prince’s Purple Rain, 1999 and Sign o’ the Times deluxe box sets.” Again, massive thanks to Dr. Kirsty Fairclough and Dr. Mike Alleyne for the opportunity and to the same individuals who helped me edit the other essay. More info below.
September–Participated in the Dance / Music / Sex / Romance Controversy podcast, alongside Zach Hoskins and my brother in Lovesexy, Harold Pride. It was my very first time being on somebody else’s podcast to talk about one of Prince’s albums and not one of my polished solid symposia or other Prince events! I had a blast. I could have talked about Controversy for four additional hours!
July-Published a special bonus Substack issue to celebrate C Liegh McInnis! It’s the least I can do for the limitless energy and knowledge he shares with us.
July-Discussed Celebration 2022 with Prince’s Friend
June-While this was recorded in 2021, my participation on DJ Tricky Kid’s Welcome 2 America: Part 3 podcast was finally released.
May–Massive gratitude to the Journal of Popular Music Studies, Volume 34, Issue 2, for highlighting last year’s Prince #1plus1plus1is3 Virtual Symposium in the field notes section of their June 2022 edition, released just in time to celebrate Prince’s birthday. Three transcripts were featured, representing each album celebrated during the event: Controversy (1981), “I Wish We All Were Nude: Prince’s Controversy Shower Poster as Aesthetic Linchpin & Artifact” by Zachary Hoskins, Diamonds & Pearls (1991), “A Tale Of Two Princes: Diamonds & Pearls & the Myth of Colorblindness in the Work of Prince” by Kamilah Cummings, and The Rainbow Children (2001), “Deconstruction: Work & Racial Capitalism in The Rainbow Children” by Robert Loss. While you’ll need a university account to read them, you can always watch the videos, instead!
21 April–Invited by Tonya Pendleton to speak on the the T&A show about Prince on Clubhouse for the very first and only time. (Is Clubhouse still a thing? I haven’t been keeping up with it.) I was relieved and grateful that Arthur Turnbull joined me. I was very sad. Not being in MPLS on this day for the first time since Prince transitioned affected me more than I thought it would.
April-Invited as an online, guest speaker by Dr. Elliott H. Powell for his course, Prince, Porn, and Public Space: The Cultural Politics of Minnesota in the ‘80s, at the University of Minnesota.
March–Celebrated 5 years of Prince symposia and related events, nine events total!
March–Curated my fourth Prince Symposium, #SexyMF30! The scholarship was mint, IMHO! Thank you to each and every presenter, roundtable panelist, moderator, and attendee! MASSIVE thanks to Marco of 9t99art for the beautiful graphics! Here’s the dedicated Substack issue and symposium website for a recap and video archives.
The Symbol Album is one of my favorite projects. I love its worldbuilding aspect & it standing as an important example of how P builds universes around his work. Thank you @polishedsolid for bringing us together to acknowledge his efforts in bringing us into his world! #SexyMF30February–Presented at Black Portraiture[s] VII at Rutgers University-Newark in Newark, NJ about “Under The Cherry Moon: Prince at Play.”
This is the first time I’ve done a recap for the year! Moving forward, I’ll continue doing this. Puts things in perspective for me. I contributed more to the Princeverse this year than I initially thought! The mind can certainly play tricks on you!
A personal Prince project that is having a significant impact on my life…
I finally have my own Prince room, which is painted deep purple, of course! It’s multipurpose as an office/music room/guest bedroom, but the majority of the real estate is Prince. I’m still working on it. However, I’ve taken massive action towards a key feature: getting my Lovsexy subway poster framed–F.I.N.A.L.L.Y, after having it in my possession for over thirty years!!!!!!!!
I’ve been so inspired by seeing photos of others’ Prince rooms over the years. However, nothing can top my brother in Lovesexy’s Lovesexy wall! I. can’t. wait. to. see. that. in. person!
Here’s a list of the Prince input that fed me this year!
The WCCO - CBS Minnesota found footage of Prince at 11! Indeed, priceless! The smirk AND the side-eye, already there!
Experiencing “Live on the Big Screen” at Celebration 2022 of Prince and the NPG at his Glam Slam club on 11 January 1992 with flawless, live accompaniment by members of the NPG! Life doesn’t get any better than this!
Prince: The Immersive Experience in Chicago is an experience I’ll never forget! Prince was literally everywhere, not just his image, but even more importantly his words! However, what really got me was seeing Prince’s entire discography in that simple, but extremely powerful, display with all the album covers and song titles. Today is the last day to go! Let’s hope they take it on the road and travel to other cities!
Saw my favorite concert film of ALL time–Sign O' The Times Live at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in BK! My first movie theater experience since COVID-19! NEVER gets old! Even though I have a Blu-Ray, it was super fun watching it on a big screen with a very energetic, clapping crowd!
The corner of 1st Avenue and 7th St in Minneapolis being renamed Prince Rogers Nelson Way! Righfully, so!
Seeing the new, downtown MPLS Prince mural right around the corner from First Avenue. Artist Hiero Veiga revealed a wonderful image, showcasing multiple Prince eras. The colors are so luscious!
Hearing the legendary Spike Moss speak after the screening of Mr. Nelson on the North Side documentary at the Apollo. He continues to be an inspiration! Also got 2 hang with some of my fav Prince friends… Kim, Miles, Robin, Chris Rob, and Greg “King Rem” Howard! Sharing Prince experiences with other Prince family is always a lot of fun!💜
Reading Robert Loss’s personal essay about the Sign O' The Times Box Set, heartbreakingly beautiful, was one of the best things I’ve ever read and I read a LOT!
Hearing Club Housequake’s special live performance of Purple Rain on Clubhouse! They did that! As a fellow curator of events, I KNOW the blood, sweat, and tears that were put into this production! I salute everyone who was involved! Can we get Under The Cherry Moon, next?
As the record collector that I am, getting the exclusive single of “Diamonds And Pearls / Nothing Compares 2 U (Live At Glam Slam)” at Celebration!
Seeing the MASSIVE scale of Prince album cover images, particularly for my albums, Controversy, Lovesexy, and Parade, lining one of the main streets in Chicago for all the general public to see for Prince: The Immersive Experience warmed my heart (understatement of the year).
Seeing Randee St. Nicholas’ photo exhibition at Celebration! The large format prints were divine! Loved the staging with the lengthiest strings of pearls, everywhere. (Photography is a deep love for me, which I pursued for my graduate degree from MiCA.) Have you picked up her 2019 Prince photo book? If you haven’t, it’s a must have for any Prince book collection.
Opening up the packaging for Prince and The Revolution: Live-Collector’s Edition Box set. While it’s going to be extremely difficult for him to top the exquisite, Welcome 2 America packaging, Mathieu Bitton designed the heck out of this box set. My bat signal to the design gods: please let him design all Prince box sets moving forward. (Graphic design is also a deep love for me, which I pursued as one of my undergraduate degrees from Georgia State University.)
Seeing Zaheer Ali finally announce princesyllabus.org. I’ve been waiting for this announcement ever since he told me about it. I can’t wait for what he has in store for us. No one matches Zaheer’s brilliance!
Sharing a meal with Jon Bream in person in Chanhassen alongside some of my Prince family. (Massive thanks to Tonya Pendleton for this experience!) I’ve always had mad respect for Jon Bream. Now that I’ve interacted with him on a couple of different occasions, he’s even cooler.
The updated Prince Studio Recordings Tracker (1973-1994) by @vaultcreator https://welcome2thedawn.org.
Seeing Marco of 9t99art large prints at the Solar Arts Building in Minneapolis during Celebration 2022. They were stunning! Also, while there, spotting a Jeff Katz original photo print in the wild in Michelle Streitz’ studio space was a delight, alongside a lot of other great Prince artifacts!
Seeing Troy Gua’s customized Prince vest that he wore to Celebration 2022. I think of it, often!
Rhonda Nicole’s #PrinceTwitterThread for “Gold!”
Zach Hoskins’ entire Brenda 6 series on his DMSR blog.
The Record Store Day vinyl release of The Gold Experience in its original cardboard packaging.
The cover art for *REVISTA PURPLE MUSIC - Nº 3 "The Rainbow Children" (Edición bilingüe Castellano - English)
However, there are a couple of memories that are priceless that can’t be grouped with others:
Meeting Jill Jones for the first time in person at Paisley Park during Celebration (Thank you Jill Monroe! My gratitude is forever…)
Spending time with Bob Ruede at Celebration, particularly our one on one time on the great Lawn of Paisley Park! Discovering our shared, avid love of the original “Dark Shadows” TV series from the 60s and 70s was a very special moment!
I celebrated my 52nd birthday on November 23!
After sharing photos of Troy Gua’s Prince-themed jacket with her, my mom surprised me with my own Prince jacket that she created for my birthday!
This year, I’ve been reflecting on the following a lot! I still don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. When will I feel “light and free as a butterfly”?
The you who is not seeking anything, by contrast, is as light and free as a butterfly. All you have to do is uncup your hands and let it soar. Your words will flow effortlessly. People normally don’t concern themselves with self-expression – they just live their lives. Yet, despite that, you want to say something. Perhaps it is in the natural context of “despite that” where we unexpectedly catch sight of something essential about ourselves.
~Haruki Murakami from The Guardian, 5 Nov 2022
After reading this article, I immediately thought of this quote:
“To express oneself honestly, not lying to oneself. Now THAT, my friend is very hard to do.” ~Bruce Lee
The interview where he says this quote is my favorite interview of ALL time, bar none! The charisma and laserlike intensity of Bruce Lee continue to be beacons of light for me and others for centuries to come!
Bruce Lee practiced what he preached. He expressed himself, effortlessly! #Goals
Every year, I get closer and closer to truly expressing myself! I’m not there yet, but I hope I get there before I leave this earth.
Published in AMP: American Music Perspectives special issue on Prince (October 2022)
Super excited to be in this AMP: American Music Perspectives special issue on Prince, Vol. 2 No. 1, Pennsylvania State University Press, alongside Natalie Clifford, Sam Coley, Kamilah Cummings, Darryle Merlette, and Twila L. Perry, with an expanded version of my Prince 78-88: An Interdisciplinary Conference presentation entitled “Controversy: Materializing the Mystique and Mythology of Prince”! MASSIVE thanks to the amazing Dr. Kirsty Fairclough and extraordinary Dr. Mike Alleyne for the opportunity.💜
You need a university account to read it, though! However, you can always watch the actual presentation!
Published in Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Volume 12 Numbers 2&3 (September 2022)
Super excited to be in this special issue of Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Volume 12 Numbers 2&3 (September 2022), “Dream Factories: Prince, Sign o’ the Times, Box Sets and Cultural Artefacts,” alongside Casci Ritchie and others with my essay, “Prince as producer and creator of worlds: Absent narratives in Prince’s Purple Rain, 1999 and Sign o’ the Times deluxe box sets”! As before, you’ll need a university account to read it, though! MASSIVE thanks, again, to the amazing Dr. Kirsty Fairclough and extraordinary Dr. Mike Alleyne for the opportunity.💜
Another passion project I’m proud of from this year–#BettyDavisSyllabus!🖤
Betty Davis (July 16, 1944–5?– February 9, 2022) was adored!
I had to grieve in my own way, so I channeled my emotions into something productive and hopefully useful to others, a Betty Davis syllabus. for a deeper dive. She merits it!
P.S. Greg Tate Is Loved!
This website, https://www.gregtatewasloved.com, is a beautiful tribute to Greg Tate and his legacy–his writing! Thank you to whoever is behind this!🖤
P.S.S. Wally is sorely missed!
Wally Safford (11/10/1959 - 9/9/2022)
"There were only two great ones. There was Ali and then there was Wally!"
P.S.S.S. Rest in Paints and Pancakes,
Dan Lacey (1960–2022)!
His exquisite artwork will live on!
P.S.S.S.S. Rest In Prince Music,
Bob Ruede!💜💜💜
I’m truly at a loss for words. In fact, I’ve been in denial. If you knew Bob, you know how full of life he was until the very end! But his spirit will live on, as many deeply loved him. To know him was to love him!
I’m so thrilled that Bob was able to attend Celebration at Paisley Park this year for the first time. He was so happy! I KNOW he had a blast! I will always remember how joyful he looked when he got up out of his wheelchair to dance to the NPG! Music is powerful and healing.
I am also grateful for the time we saw the NPG together in Atlanta at the Masquerade in March 2019.
Of course, I will always remember that he and his lovely wife Lisa attended my wedding! Bob was “clean.” He was actually one of our few friends who got up to speak at the wedding. Luckily, I have that on video. I will cherish it, forever!
I miss him–there can be only one!
I curated this “with love, sincerity, and deepest care”!
If you made it to the end, thank you for taking time out of your day to read this all the way through! 💜
Next up, in a week or so, will be a bonus issue of a few of my favorite things from 2022. It won’t be as Prince-centric as this one is, but he will not be absent, of course!