Famed for guarding his privacy and seldom granting interviews, the enigmatic Artist Formerly Known as Prince broke his strict code of silence recently and spoke candidly about life, love and work. The diminutive 38 year old singer, songwriter, one of the world’s top-selling recording artists, first found stardom in the early 1980s with his definitive party hit 1999. In the years since, he has built a huge music complex, Paisley Park, in Minneapolis; been through a legal battle with his former recording label Warner Bros. (during which he appeared in public with the word slave written across his cheek); swapped the name Prince for an obscure symbol; and, on Valentine’s Day last year, married Mayte, one of his backing singers and dancers.
The couple were delighted when Mayte, 23, fell pregnant and they planned to celebrate the birth by recording 8 children’s songs and developing children’s fiction. But tragedy struck in October when their baby boy was born badly brain damaged, a month premature. Characteristically, the singer refuses to confirm or deny reports that the baby died a week after birth. But his commitment to work remains firm as he continues to promote his new triple CD and cassette Emancipation.
Dressed typically flamboyantly in black lace trousers and shirt, he insisted on the usual restrictions for an interview in the Montreal hotel where he was staying during a week long promotional trip: No tape recorder, no photos during the interview and certainly no video cameras.
How long did it take you to record Emancipation?
“I worked on it for a year and I must admit I’m amazed by the results. I think Emancipation is, without a doubt, the best album of my whole career. I thank God for the gift.”
Are you pleased with the response it received?
“Yes, as people seem to like it. The critics haven’t always been kind in the past, but reviews for this have been better. Some have said that it’s too long or that certain songs were too long—but what should I have taken out? It’s a question of balance and harmony. Harmony is important and I don’t like people who criticize music when they’re not musicians.”
You seem to have decided to get on better with the press.
“To be honest, I’ve never wanted to talk about anything apart from my music. I wasn’t confident enough and I had nothing to say. But now I know exactly who I am and what I want—although some people accuse me of arrogance because I have such a clear vision about things.”
Do you have a favourite song?
“Not really, but I like the second CD best. I could say “The Holy River”—right in the middle after 5 romantic numbers—is my favourite, but then I also like “Let’s have a baby.” Just before our wedding, Mayte spent a few days away from our home so I made a lot of changes to our house—especially in our bedroom, where I placed a crib. It was beautiful. Then, on our wedding night, Mayte was still wearing her long white dress when I brought her into the room and played her “Let’s have a baby” for the first time. She couldn’t stop crying—it was an unforgettable moment.”
Do you think your wife has had a positive influence on your life?
“Yes, certainly. She is the woman of my life, my best friend. We were made to be together and all the ingredients were there to unite us. Our fathers have the same name and our mother’s names are similar. My family’s name was Nelson and hers was Nells. We’re definitely made for each other. With her, I’ve learnt what faith is and I no longer worry.”
Why have you decided to spend next Valentine’s Day in Hawaii?
“We’ll be celebrating our first wedding anniversary. Last year we were on our honeymoon in Hawaii and put on a show where Mayte danced for the last time. To celebrate this year, I’ll sing but Mayte won’t be dancing.”
Do you believe in God?
“Yes. With time, I’ve learnt how to be confident in God and to become whatever he wanted me to be. I’m also a vegetarian—I only eat fruit and vegetables.”
How do you feel about your 20th recording anniversary next year?
“20 years isn’t that long really. I prefer to think about eternity—that’s how I got myself out of the trap I was in. When I changed my name and wrote Slave on my cheek, it was because I felt like a prisoner trapped in a system. People thought I was crazy, but I didn’t make the decision lightly—I did it out of pure conviction. I could not open up and do what I wanted to do in the way I wanted. All decisions were made for me.”
What has been your best experience?
“My evolution. Now, I feel free, I can see eternity. I know that everything was planned for me. I might not know where I’ll be tomorrow, but i know where I’ll be in 3,000 years time. Since I accepted God, I have faith in life.”
Is it a coincidence that you’re staying in the same hotel as Celine Dion?
"Yes, I had no idea that she was here! I like her a lot and even wrote a song, “With This Tear,” for her once. It’s on one of her albums and is really beautiful. I’d love to play and sing with her in a show one day.”
How come you’ve included two guitarists from Montreal—Rhonda Smith and Kathleen Dyson—in your band?
“Sheila E. introduced me to them and they’re unbelievable. They came in just at the moment in my evolution when I decided to eliminate negative music and be more joyous and uplifting. I wanted a more optimistic attitude and they’re not only exceptionally talented but in perfect harmony with the rest of my life.
Is music a way of life for you?
“Yes. Music is a gift from God and I would be very ungrateful to say that it is work. Life is a gift."