Who Was Prince?
Who Was Prince? is the ultimate look at the greatest and most mysterious musician of the modern era. Prince was a genius singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer but how did he create so much music, what was he like as a person, what was his childhood like? This eight episode series is built on interviews with people who were close to him—people who played in his bands, managed his career, engineered his music, or dated him. We explore his multiple personalities, his love of basketball, his insane work ethic, his ability to play almost every instrument, his love of clothes, his turbulent childhood where he left his parents, his romantic life, his baby who died after a few days, and his tragic end. We hear stories about Prince and Liz Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, and many more. This is a deep look inside the life of an unforgettable man.
Our Editor's Take
Few musicians have ever reached the heights that Prince achieved during his lifetime. The podcast Who Was Prince? is interested in learning about the Minneapolis man behind the myth. The musician was in the public eye for over three decades. Yet he is still an enigma. This podcast, hosted by writer Touré, examines the man behind the legend.
Prince was a gifted singer and songwriter. He also could play almost every instrument he laid his hands on. He was one of the first artists who fervently believed in owning his master recordings. In short, the man started as a trendsetter and became an icon. His best-known songs, such as “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry,” became anthems for a generation. And Prince's Paisley Park home was the Graceland of its time. Fans knew of his passion for purple. And in his spare time, he played basketball. But what else was there to the man?
In many ways, The artist formerly (and currently) known as Prince was more of a symbol to his fans than he was a man. He even briefly changed his name to a symbol. Prince cultivated a great deal of mystique about his life. He declined to answer personal questions in interviews. When he died, many of his fans and collaborators realized they had never gotten to know him. Thus, a simple question begins to set in: Who Was Prince?
That is the question that the Who Was Prince? podcast sets out to answer. Who Was Prince? host Touré is a veteran music journalist who has been writing about Prince for decades. He even played basketball against the singer. The podcaster wrote I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon and Nothing Compares 2 U: An Oral History of Prince. As such, Touré is knowledgeable about his subject. Touré leaves space for the people he is interviewing to talk, like members of The Revolution. This allows listeners access to insights that they might not have otherwise learned.
