...Rave Un2 the Year 2000

Prince-ology... his cryptic speach, can be very disconnecting, but I still find it interesting as some kind of code to crack. He was definately going through an extreme change in the 1999 period.

And definate inspiration 4 the Rainbow Children mysticism

artist 2000

BY BETH COLEMAN

A lot is virtual in the Artist's world, where fading backdrops of past lives fold neatly into psychic origami boxes. He shows no signs of regret, depression, maladjustment or freakishness from cutting off his past life. In fact, he is rooted in a self-awareness and humor that are absolutely charming. His life seems to be distinctly separated into B.M. and A.M. -- before meeting his wife, Mayte, and after Mayte. For instance, when discussing the machinations of record companies, the Artist interrupts the flow to ask if he can interject a personal anecdote about his marriage. (As if I'm going to say no.) The word in the media had been that after a total bliss package of a marriage, they were getting divorced.

What the Artist goes on to say is that wanting a monopoly on his lady had become the marital version of owning someone else's masters. From what he says, and from what others say, theirs has been an intensely romantic relationship, a kind of you-and-me-against-the-world vibe. But both felt it was starting to get weird. "We were drawing energy from strange people around us. Strange words and numbers, bad contracts. We had to step away from that," he explains. For a person who still uses "4" in place of "for" in song lyrics, the relationship between numbers and contracts -- both personal and financial -- weaves complicated, interrelated secret messages. He traces the origin of the marriage contract to Pontius Pilate organizing the consensus to crucify Jesus, but the short version of the story is that it was screwing up the Artist's world. He describes a relationship that some might categorize as vaguely co-dependent -- for a while he couldn't even give an interview without Mayte present. "I could not have sat in a room alone with someone like you" (meaning young, female and not totally butt), he tells me. Relying on someone so deeply, not to mention feeling possessive, jealous and the other emotions that go with having someone be "yours," was dangerous and, more to his point, deluded.

"At first you might think that your mate is the God," the Artist reflects, "but you'd better hope that God is speaking through your mate."

They are not divorced.

Quite the contrary.

They are happily joined, having transcended the mental and emotional bondage of marriage.

When not floating among the astral planes, the couple like to spend time in Spain, in their lovely new house near Gibraltar, which will soon be featured in another form of virtual reality, Vanity Fair. (The Artist is still a rich guy, like some of the best social radicals.)

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away. We decided to go back to the Garden."

Does all this mean they've transcended the physical boundaries of the marriage bond too? The other question, post-"divorce," is monogamy. Considering his reputation as an international lover, one wonders, is the Artist good to the yoni?

"They always exaggerate," he says quite demurely, alluding to the baker's dozen of high-profile women he's been teamed with in the press throughout his career. I tell him I saw Warren Beatty on Charlie Rose scoffing at the idea of monogamy in a modern marriage as basically some medieval throwback. Beatty indicated that it's just not part of the animal. (After getting that close to Halle Berry onscreen, I could see why -- no disrespect, Annette.) The Artist calls upon higher powers for his answer: "Let's say I'm monogamous with God," providing better counsel for Clinton than his lawyers did. In New York for a week, the Artist says he wants to check out some music, the Roots in particular (he's down with their drummer, ?uestlove). From what I heard later, his sampling of the local talent was not limited to music. But once rumor kicks in on the Unpronounceable One, it is an endless spin cycle.

A few years ago, the Artist and Mayte had a child who died soon after birth. After this tragic experience, the Artist speaks of his passions like a parent. Adoption and gestures of kinship are all over his new work. He also mentions children with regard to the couple's wish to start an orphanage in their Spanish home. His desire to return to the Garden to prosper and multiply was thwarted by state officials, who would not allow the plan to go through. In response, the Artist expresses his only truly harsh sentiments of the interview (even the record-company banter is within some Zen zone). "There are some really demonic people in the world who have an agenda for the planet. Everybody's online until somebody pulls the plug. Look at it this way," he says, offering a conspiracy theory with an optimistic slant, "everyone will be online and one group will be sending out the best music ever." And, we're left to surmise, its initials will be NPG. "We need to take advantage of portals of communication. We can still see one another, socialize, truck to the cousin's place. It's fun traveling, knowing that, worldwide, people get it. I've heard a thing called Inferno in '99 is going to usurp Windows as an operating system." He raises his eyebrows at the portentous name. The apocalypse is back online. And where will the Artist be to ring in the millennium? "I told the last reporter that I would be at a bar mitzvah." Since he does not want to lie to a sister, he just says, "In the light."

40TV Studio Madrid .Spain

1. Talkin'Loud And Sayin' Nothing ( Istrumental )
2. Thank You
3. It's Alright
4. Baby Knows
5. Guitar Intro
6. Baby Knows
7. Pretty Man/It's Alright
8. Motherless Child
9. The Jam
10. Everyday People/Freaks On This Side

Prince “El Septimo De Caballeria” Live at El Estudio Alamo in Madrid, Spain November, 22 1999

As prophesied, the Wise One and his woman were tempted by the Resistor. He,
knowing full well the Wise One's love 4 God, assimilated the woman first and
only. Quite naturally, chaos ensued and she and 5 others were banished from
the rainbow.4ever.

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE (1999)

A portrait of the Artist:
Healthy, happy, ready to play

Vickie Gilmer / Star Tribune

He says all artists should have the same right to own their master recordings that he now does. He laments the "mental and emotional" abuse that musicians such as Phoebe Snow have suffered at the hands of an industry that's made them captives by not releasing their work. He applauds the work of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and gripes about the low "points" (percentage of record sales) that most musicians receive.

He and Mayte have founded a charitable organization that has donated money to various organizations, including the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which provides help to musicians, and he's donated instruments through Mill City's Music Cares program to the Minneapolis school district.

He's also gotten inspiration from some of his new collaborators. "Chuck D. and I talked about hip-hop and how we have to knock down what they value, and the dollar bill is nothing to put a value on. . . . What I would like to see is the spiritual aspect come back in to the inner city. It's very important that people realize that we're in a situation that only God can fix at this point."

His beliefs -- spiritually, musically and professionally -- make him animated. He jumps up to make a point, cites biblical references that drive home his spiritual beliefs and exalts the positive influence of those around him.

Clearly, there's a lot of Truth to be told, and he wants to know that you "feel" what he's saying, because it's not just words, he says -- it's a way of life.

"I implore you to realize that I'm perfectly healthy and happy. My wife and I, you can see nobody's kicked her out. We decided to do this whole thing together. The main course is spiritual well-being. My protection comes from my faith in God. I know I'm going to be all right."

He stands and offers an invitation to sit in on his rehearsal. In the room, it's obvious he's happy, as are those around him. He smiles as the group runs through "Let's Go Crazy," breaks out laughing when one of his back-up singers comes in too early on the chorus for "Kiss" and drills home the groovy rhythm of "U Got the Look" and other songs he'll play in concert.

After a quick 20-minute drill, he walks his guest to the door. As Mayte showed him a magazine article on their new home in Spain that she's working on, you don't need to be persuaded that Prince is healthy, happy and, above all, all right.

A letter sent to the Star Tribune by NPG Records after the publication of this interview:

0{+> would like 2 thank the Star Tribune 4 the positive article that appeared in the Friday edition. We would also like 2 clarify a few things that may have been misunderstood at the time of the interview.

• Altho 0{+> has been referred 2 as "The Artist", this title does not appear on any NPG release. Use of the symbol '0{+>' is a way 2 distinguish the past from the present when discussing this artist. Use of the name "Prince" refers 2 someone whose music (at present time) is owned by Warner Bros. Records.
  
  
• Most of the info that was business-related "usually" came thru managers or secretaries but not "always." 0{+> -- when he went by the name Prince -- did from time 2 time speak directly 2 the president of Warner Bros. Records.
  
  
• "Record companies want 2 own 'r' (not their) creations."
  
  
• These days Mayte and 0{+> refer 2 each other as "mate" or "counterpart," not as husband and wife. The negative energy produced by CONtracts of ANY kind was discussed at length but not included in the final piece that appeared. The term "wife" is a title, much like 'latina' or 'black'. B4 0{+> and Mayte were husband and wife, they were man and woman.
  
  

All in all, we were very pleased with the healthy attitude of the piece and look 4ward 2 furthering a positive relationship with the Star Tribune.

Love4oneanother,
NPG Records

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

OldFriends4Sale said:

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

ok, so is that then, finally, the answer to the question 'what was the real reason that adam never left eve'?

IstenSzek said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

ok, so is that then, finally, the answer to the question 'what was the real reason that adam never left eve'?

It might be lol contract changed

Just looking at these pictures makes me

RaveUn2theYear2000 @ Paisle Park Dec 18, 1999

1.Let's Go Crazy
2.She's Always In My Hair
3.U Got the Look
4.Kiss/My Name Is Prince
5.Let's Go Crazy
6.Face Down
7.American Woman W/ Lenny Kravitz
8.Fly Away W/ Lenny Kravitz
9.Gett Off W/ Rosie Gaines/Maceo Parker
10.Gett Off (House Style)
11.Talkin'Loud And Sayin' Nothing
12.It's Alright
13.Everyday People
14.I Want ToTake You Highter
15.Purple Rain
16.The Christ
17.Red House W/ Maceo Parker
18.Nothig Compares 2 U W/ Rosie Gaines
19.Take Me With U
20.Raspberry Beret
21.Hypno Paradise W/ Rosie Gaines
22.Baby I'm A Star W/ Rosie Gaines
23.1999 W/ Rosie Gaines
--Break Time--
24.Undertaker/Get Groove On
25.Release Yourself
26.Alphabet st
27.TGRS
28.Baby Knows W/ Maceo Parker
29.Blues Jam

The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down from God long ago,
held fast in his belief that the Lord would bring him another one who loved him so.

OldFriends4Sale said:

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

Well.....it seems Prince was the one who went back to the garden without Mayte, and he found Manuela there

*

I still haven't figured out if all of this talk was his own preparation for gradually getting Mayte out of the picture in order to avoid rapid fire media attention, or if it really was somehow geniune thinking on his part, and he ended it with her because she did not want to convert to JW.

OldFriends4Sale said:

RaveUn2theYear2000 @ Paisle Park Dec 18, 1999

1.Let's Go Crazy
2.She's Always In My Hair
3.U Got the Look
4.Kiss/My Name Is Prince
5.Let's Go Crazy
6.Face Down
7.American Woman W/ Lenny Kravitz
8.Fly Away W/ Lenny Kravitz
9.Gett Off W/ Rosie Gaines/Maceo Parker
10.Gett Off (House Style)
11.Talkin'Loud And Sayin' Nothing
12.It's Alright
13.Everyday People
14.I Want ToTake You Highter
15.Purple Rain
16.The Christ
17.Red House W/ Maceo Parker
18.Nothig Compares 2 U W/ Rosie Gaines
19.Take Me With U
20.Raspberry Beret
21.Hypno Paradise W/ Rosie Gaines
22.Baby I'm A Star W/ Rosie Gaines
23.1999 W/ Rosie Gaines
--Break Time--
24.Undertaker/Get Groove On
25.Release Yourself
26.Alphabet st
27.TGRS
28.Baby Knows W/ Maceo Parker
29.Blues Jam

The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down from God long ago,
held fast in his belief that the Lord would bring him another one who loved him so.

#7.....love that performance!!!!!!!! So funny how Prince was trying be discreet while checking out the blonde chick dancing behind them on the steps

violetcrush said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

Well.....it seems Prince was the one who went back to the garden without Mayte, and he found Manuela there

*

I still haven't figured out if all of this talk was his own preparation for gradually getting Mayte out of the picture in order to avoid rapid fire media attention, or if it really was somehow geniune thinking on his part, and he ended it with her because she did not want to convert to JW.

This is fun lol

The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down from God long ago,
held fast in his belief that the Lord would bring him another one who loved him so.

One after the other, the Banished Ones fled
As they watched from the distance
The destruction of the Digital Garden

With no more fruit to bear from its trees
The Haze was finally broken
With the rains came the awareness that never again
Would anyone ever lay claim to the treasures of the Rainbow Children

As though awakened from a dream
The Muse opened her eyes
This time as Queen

NEWSWEEK (2004)

Party Like It's 2004
Prince is back—with new music and a newfound faith. Sure, he's changed, but he's still the man.

By Lorraine Ali
Newsweek

"That notion of me losing something is a fallacy," he says, and unleashes a scriptural analogy. "There's Adam and Eve—artists—in the garden, chilling. God tells them they're supposed to have sex, and they do. Here comes a snake—the record-industry guy—and tells them the grass is greener on the other side. And when they fell for that, boy, did they fall. No, I didn't lose a thing."

OldFriends4Sale said:

NEWSWEEK (2004)

---

Party Like It's 2004
Prince is back—with new music and a newfound faith. Sure, he's changed, but he's still the man.

By Lorraine Ali
Newsweek

"That notion of me losing something is a fallacy," he says, and unleashes a scriptural analogy. "There's Adam and Eve—artists—in the garden, chilling. God tells them they're supposed to have sex, and they do. Here comes a snake—the record-industry guy—and tells them the grass is greener on the other side. And when they fell for that, boy, did they fall. No, I didn't lose a thing."

Whaaaa???? Prince was all over the place with many of his statements. I think it was Wendy who, when asked in the 2000's about Prince's mindset she said, "now he just speaks in parables". I would say she was on point

violetcrush said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

NEWSWEEK (2004)

---

Party Like It's 2004
Prince is back—with new music and a newfound faith. Sure, he's changed, but he's still the man.

By Lorraine Ali
Newsweek

"That notion of me losing something is a fallacy," he says, and unleashes a scriptural analogy. "There's Adam and Eve—artists—in the garden, chilling. God tells them they're supposed to have sex, and they do. Here comes a snake—the record-industry guy—and tells them the grass is greener on the other side. And when they fell for that, boy, did they fall. No, I didn't lose a thing."

Whaaaa???? Prince was all over the place with many of his statements. I think it was Wendy who, when asked in the 2000's about Prince's mindset she said, "now he just speaks in parables". I would say she was on point

Considering how mundane the whole Rave period was for the most part, it's remarkable that that era saw one of Prince's finest ever live performances in "Motherless Child" from the Septimo TV show. Even by Prince's high standards, his wholly committed rendition of the spiritual totally redefines it for me.

OldFriends4Sale said:

violetcrush said:

Whaaaa???? Prince was all over the place with many of his statements. I think it was Wendy who, when asked in the 2000's about Prince's mindset she said, "now he just speaks in parables". I would say she was on point

Love that gif. That was curious how he likened the "record industry guy" to the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Love that gif. That was curious how he likened the "record industry guy" to the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

I know, right?! Very bizarre. Not sure what the record exec would have to do with "poisoning" his relationship with a woman. He was just mixing everything together and then trying to use scripture as an analogy. He was just all over the place [Edited 1/9/19 13:52pm]

Yes. I think it may have been his way of saying that he considered record executives to be evil and likening himself to Adam,comparing what he was going through with WB to how Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden. I recall him also going through a phase where he was putting emphasis on the prefix of different words such as CONtract and talking about the meaning behind them. He put a recorded message discussing it on the Rave Un2 The Year 2000 dvd. It was very interesting.

violetcrush said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

"We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage.

"Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away.

We decided to go back to the Garden."

Well.....it seems Prince was the one who went back to the garden without Mayte, and he found Manuela there

Shame he never really found 'The One'. Should maybe be a grandfather by now. This picture reeks of sadness to me. I suppose the current home owner has something to dine out on.

Marrk said: