In the colorful tapestry of music history, few artists have been as enigmatic and fiercely opinionated as Prince. Known for his genre-defying sound and flamboyant style, the Purple One had a discerning ear and an even sharper tongue when it came to his contemporaries. Today, we delve into the six artists who reportedly found themselves on Prince’s less-than-favorable list.
Kicking off our countdown is none other than Michael Bolton. The soft rock sensation, famous for his powerful ballads, allegedly drew Prince’s ire following Bolton’s 1991 cover of “When a Man Loves a Woman.” According to music journalist Alan Light, Prince reportedly dismissed Bolton’s soulful abilities, quipping that he “wouldn’t know soul if it slapped him in his processed hair.”
For Prince, Bolton epitomized a sanitized version of soul music that lacked the raw authenticity he valued.
Next up is the Queen of Pop, Madonna. Their rivalry is particularly intriguing, as both artists pushed boundaries in the 80s. When Warner Brothers considered pairing them for a duet, Prince reportedly scoffed, stating Madonna had “about as much musicality as this soundboard.”
Their artistic differences became apparent during a 1994 aftershow, where Prince allegedly changed the lyrics of “Sexy MF” to mock her directly. Despite their tension, Prince acknowledged her talent, referring to her as a calculated provocateur rather than a genuine artist.
Taking the number four spot is Justin Timberlake. The former boy band heartthrob turned solo star reportedly irked Prince around 2006, particularly after Timberlake’s “SexyBack” topped the charts. At a post-Emmy party, Prince allegedly quipped, “Sexy never left,” highlighting his disdain for what he perceived as Timberlake’s appropriation of his Minneapolis sound.
Their rivalry intensified when Timberlake made a joke about Prince’s height at the 2007 Golden Globes, an incident Prince reportedly found disrespectful.
Sliding into third place is Maroon 5, who faced Prince’s wrath after their 2012 cover of his classic track “Kiss.” Sources claim that Prince was frustrated with their version, stating they “took all the spaces out of the music.” He believed that the essence of “Kiss” lay in its minimalism, and he reportedly felt Maroon 5 missed the mark entirely.
Tensions escalated when Adam Levine claimed Prince had approved the cover, prompting a swift denial from Prince, who was reportedly furious about the miscommunication.
In the runner-up position are the Black Eyed Peas. Their commercial success in the late 2000s reportedly represented everything Prince found troubling about modern music. After attending an event where the group performed, Prince allegedly remarked, “That’s not music.
That’s a marketing meeting.” He was particularly critical of their production techniques, believing that over-polished music lacked soul. The rivalry came to a head when both acts performed at the Super Bowl, with Prince reportedly refusing to participate in promotional activities alongside them.
Finally, taking the top spot is guitar legend Eric Clapton. Their rivalry was rooted in a clash of musical philosophies. Clapton reportedly dismissed Prince as “all flash and no substance,” a comment that Prince never forgot.
Their animosity peaked during a 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute, where Prince’s electric performance was seen as a direct challenge to Clapton’s traditional blues approach. In a rare interview, Prince allegedly stated, “Eric’s technically proficient, sure. But has he ever made you dance?”
This comment encapsulated the fundamental differences in their musical beliefs.
These six artists, each with their own unique styles, reportedly earned the Purple One’s disapproval for various reasons. Whether you agree with Prince’s assessments or not, his uncompromising standards undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the music industry. Who do you think should have made the list of musical loves and hates?
