Another icon has left us. Prince's tireless work ethic and appetite for experimentation results in a staggering archive of work that is getting retouched. He stayed in public consciousness, wearing sequins and mascara, remaining steadfast in protecting the black experience and its creative potential.  He was also fiercly private, displaying a warm conscience with charity to those close to him. He pushed the boundaries of sexuality; outward, then inward with accusations of homophobia, ironic to some, in his later days as a Jehovah's Witness.  

My father introduced me to Prince through the classic albums like "Purple Rain", "Lovesexy", and "Controversy". My mother didn't like his risque album covers and explicit lyrics, but you couldn't deny the music. You also loved the fact that he valued black life, despite living in a Middle American enclave not known for its diversity or glitz. Nevertheless, he stayed in the Twin Cities. Leaving us with surrealist poetry gems like "Diamonds and Pearls".  

The Purple One reigned, even when he put out mediocre work in this new millennium. The battle with Warner Brothers over masters ownership, while justified, only seemed to elevate his eccentricity to the commoner, reducing him to the live experience and unexpected partnerships with varying artists, like with Janelle Monae. I never got to see him on the stage, and that was always a hole in my live attendance record. 

I felt that he had a couple more masterpieces within him, but alas, it was not meant to be.  His songwriting was loved, yet underrated at the same time. Slate deemed him the "Dionysus" of our time. Better yet, Dionysus was Prince. The purple light continues...

"Diamonds and Pearls"

This will be the day
That you will hear me say
That I will never run away

I am here for you
Love is meant for two
Now tell me what you're gonna do

If I gave you diamonds and pearls
Would you be a happy boy or a girl
If I could I would give you the world
But all I can do is just offer you my love

Which one of us is right
If we always fight
Why can't we just let love decide (let love decide)

Am I the weaker man
Because I understand
That love must be the master plan (love is the master plan)

If I gave you diamonds and pearls
Would you be a happy boy or a girl
If I could I would give you the world
All I can do is just offer you my love

D to the I to the A to the M
O to the N to the D to the pearls of love
D to the I to the A to the M (to the m)
O to the N to the D to the pearls of love

There will come a time (there will come a time)
When love will blow your mind (blow your mind)
And everything you'll look for you'll find (take a look inside)

That will be the time (that will be the time)
That everything will shine (forever)
So bright it makes you colorblind (you will be color blind)

If I gave you diamonds and pearls
Would you be a happy boy or a girl
If I could I would give you the world
All I can do is just offer you my love

If I gave you diamonds and pearls (pearls)
Would you be a happy boy or a girl (yeah yeah)
If I could I would give you the world (give you the world)
All I can do is just offer you my love (all I can do)

If I gave you diamonds and pearls (diamonds)
Would you be, would you, would you
(Would ya, would ya, would ya be happy little baby)
If I could I would give you the world

Prince, the gentlemen, helps Lalah Hathaway with her dress.