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Journal of African American Studies

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26.09.2017 | ARTICLES

Prince Rogers Nelson: from “Dirty Mind” to Devout Jehovah’s Witness

verfasst von: Cassandra Chaney

Erschienen in: Journal of African American Studies | Ausgabe 3/2017

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Abstract

Prince Rogers Nelson (born: June 7, 1958) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. He was a musical innovator and known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant dress and makeup, and wide vocal range. When he passed unexpectedly on April 21, 2016, he had built an immensely successful career that spanned over 30 years. Although Prince is widely known for his highly sexual behavior, we know less about his spiritual beliefs as well as how these beliefs influenced his public persona and private life. Through the lens of social identity theory, this manuscript will examine how Prince demonstrated his belief in God, his values, and the changes that he made in his life after he became a devout Jehovah’s Witness. In particular, this manuscript will provide song lyrics and excerpts from televised and print interviews to qualitatively respond to the following three questions: (1) How did Prince demonstrate his belief in God in his music? (2) What were Prince’s values? (3) What changes did Prince make in his public performances after he became a Jehovah’s Witness?

Vorheriger Artikel “We Are in the Feminine Aspect Now”: Women Artists, Prince, and Visions of Utopia

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Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy nameThy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespassesAs we forgive those who trespass against usLead us not into temptation but deliver us from evilFor thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever

According to Schwartz (2012), “Values are used to characterize cultural groups, societies, and individuals, to trace change over time, and to explain the motivational bases of attitudes and behavior.” (p. 3).

Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness, anger, wrath, screaming, and abusive speech, as well as everything injurious (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures 2013).

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Titel: Prince Rogers Nelson: from “Dirty Mind” to Devout Jehovah’s Witness
verfasst von: Cassandra Chaney
Publikationsdatum: 26.09.2017
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of African American Studies / Ausgabe 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1559-1646
Elektronische ISSN: 1936-4741
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-017-9380-6

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