THE PRINCE ARTICLE HIS PEOPLE SAID WOKE WARNERS RECORDS

BY PABLO GUZMÁN

PHOTO BY JAMES HAMILTON

I had been on a crusade in my writings to push so-called “progressive” Rock radio to expand their playlists by admitting more than Hendrix; and to open music criticism to the wealth of funk and salsa. That R&B should not be marginalized. That “Rock” was not complete without its Blackness. Then came Prince. And a true litmus test. I wrote this in the Village Voice for 17 December 1980. His managers at the time told me they took the piece to Warners to get better tour support and promotion. The boy broke through. Because of all that talent.