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Prince Does Rare TV Interview, Talks Obama, Chemtrails On PBS

4/28/09, 5:39 pm EST

Photo: Shearer/WireImage

Prince made a rare television appearance yesterday, sitting down with Tavis Smiley for his PBS talk show to discuss misinterpreted lyrics, why he doesn’t vote and other insights that could only come from the mind of the man who brought you Purple Rain. As Jezebel points out, one of the strangest moments in the interview comes when Prince is talking about “Dreamer,” an ode to comedian Dick Gregory that features on LOtUSFLOW3R, and brings up “chemtrails,” the conspiracy theory that argues jets drop chemicals through their smoky exhaust.

Other Prince pearls of wisdom: “When I found out that there was eight Presidents before George Washington, I wanted to smack somebody.” On the historic election of President Barack Obama, Prince said, “I don’t vote and I got nothing to do with it. I have no dog in that race.” Prince went on to explain that he doesn’t vote because he is a Jehovah’s Witness, and that “prophecy is what we all have to go by now.”

Prince also related some personal, intimate stuff, including his childhood bout with epilepsy that made him an outcast. “I tried to compensate for that by being as noisy as I could and be as flashy as I could,” he said. Prince also shared his two favorite misinterpreted lyrics: “Dig if you will a picture/Of me, Marvin Gaye and the kids” for “When Doves Cry” and a woman who heard “Pay the rent collect” instead of “Little Red Corvette.” Part two of Prince’s interview with Tavis Smiley will air tonight on PBS, so if you can peel yourself away from Deadliest Catch and American Idol, we recommend you tune in.

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Comments

Walter Scott | 4/28/2009, 8:43 pm EST

Please show us more on chemtrails.

Prince fan | 4/29/2009, 1:43 am EST

Please show us more on Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘prophecy’.
Is the end of the world Armageddon still coming?

I think Tom Cruise & Scientology is more plausible.

Rocker | 4/29/2009, 6:37 am EST

Prince ‘pearls of wisdom; on chemtrails,eight presidents before Washington,and jehovah’s Witnesses failed prophecy.

Well it’s a good thing that his music was great,got all his CD’s.

brockway | 4/29/2009, 8:47 am EST

That’s very interesting about the Presidents. Who would have thought I would learn a little history from Prince. Look it up . Some historians actually do believe that George Washington was not the first President.

According to Geocities.com :”Was George Washington not the first President of the United States of America? The answer is, no, he wasn’t. George Washington was the first president under the U.S. Constitution. Someone had to run the country before the constitution was ratified. The U.S. had a running government as early as mid-1774.”

jess | 4/29/2009, 9:25 am EST

well i just heard about swine flu, and I think those prophesies are right on time………….

jess | 4/29/2009, 9:28 am EST

lol your a prince fan yet you question his beliefs and ridicule them. and im sure he would make a vaild witness to you but the interviews was not about that. Show some respect . Peace

yes22 | 4/29/2009, 11:39 am EST

Prince should spend more time on making music..and less on conspiracy theories.

Laura | 4/29/2009, 3:27 pm EST

Why don’t you that the time took look some of this up instead of being a bunch of asses. I don’t know about Chemtrials but I know about pollution in the innercities and this swineflu mess people need to think a little bit instead of going off half cocked.

Prince Fan | 4/29/2009, 10:01 pm EST

The prophecies he is refering to are not Jehovah’s Witness prophecy, but prophecies outlined in the bible that Jehovah’s Witnesses reconize as comming from God and trust that they will come to pass. Where we choose to put our faith (Scientology, The Bible, The Book of Mormon, etc.) is our choice to make. Prince is just stating, in his own unique words, that he has put his faith in the Bible.

bobgeorge | 4/29/2009, 10:21 pm EST

Just watched it in on-line. Loved hearing him discuss his relationship with his father. He makes a good point about how American history is taught when he mentions his learning of “the eight Presidents before George Washington”. For example, St. Augustine, FL is the oldest city in the country. Yet, most kids are told about Jamestown being the first settlement. America “began” as a British colony, but the first white settlers on the land we now call America were actually from Spain. It just goes to show you how minds are colonized.
And of course, he’s always been right about artists owning their work (master tapes).

Lewe Kuhtewie | 4/29/2009, 10:36 pm EST

wut the hell Prince talkin about Weezie,
he must be trippin, airplane exhaust putting out chemicals, oh please! -his msic aint half bad, but the Prince man a little screwie in the head! -can you dig that brotherman????

Prince into occult? | 4/30/2009, 6:05 am EST

Prince sez,’ I was visited by an Angel’

According to the Jehovah’s Witnesses own teachings Prince is into the occult and they would say he is ‘demonized’.

Louis Appericio | 4/30/2009, 7:59 am EST

too much of that purple shit 4 Prince, he is totally craked in the head, screw him & his old abstract music, let hat skinny bastard put on a little weight, and maybe he will see the light

samuel Matz | 4/30/2009, 9:27 am EST

Why would anyone expect or be surprised with Prince being worldly.He never was a Christian.Being a member the Jehovah Witnesses means you joined a cult that has a agenda of controlling people, rather than freeing them from what is wrong in the world. Look at how messed-up is
Michael Jackson and Family, EX Jehovah Witnesses. Proof of what i say.

Funk On | 4/30/2009, 1:44 pm EST

Prince that’s point that what it is about right 1 at the bank. Let Prince make his money bicthass haters.

twinkly1 | 4/30/2009, 4:26 pm EST

Prince’s interview was interesting and thought-provoking. We’ve just barely survived as a country living through several years of secrecy and covert operations. I appreciate that Prince and/or anyone else poses the “uncomfortable” questions–that’s what democracy, freedom and being an American is all about. Furthermore, Prince has a right to discuss his religious beliefs, he was asked. Another element of a free society is the right to choose your religion, affiliations, etc.

Anonymous | 4/30/2009, 4:40 pm EST

what the hell are chemtrailS?
that took some creativity..
josie.kinkaid

Anonymous | 4/30/2009, 4:41 pm EST

what the hell are chemtrailS?
that took some creativity..
josie.kinkaid

David | 4/30/2009, 9:41 pm EST

Of course Prince is a Christian. Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians. Even many observers have said that he changed his lifestyle dramatically, not cursing, not drinking, trying to live a moral life. He has even changed a few lyrics of some of his songs since converting and joining the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Regarding the Jacksons – only Kathryn Jackson and her daughter Rebbie remained faithful to the faith. Michael Jackson who was baptized as a Witness left the faith, and that’s when he started getting weird. Maybe, if he repents things will get better for him. The only other one who was baptized was LaToya. His other brothers were never baptized and perhaps did not want to join the faith which their mother joined when they were teens. Michael’s father studied the Bible on and off with the Witnesses, but never joined. However, rumor has it that LaToya is beginning to attend meetings again, and that his dad is also studying the Bible again.

zret | 5/1/2009, 4:49 am EST

Prince is right: chemtrails exist and are poisonous. Silly persons and liars say that they don’t exist.

Jehovah r cult | 5/1/2009, 5:50 am EST

What’s up with Prince becoming an apologist for the Watchtower Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Makes me think of foot in mouth Tom Cruise and Scientology.

Jehovah’s Witnesses (the Watchtower society) say that Jesus already had his second coming October 1914 and they are the only ones who saw it.
Most consider them to be an Adventist Millerite spin-off cult.

tk | 5/1/2009, 10:26 am EST

just read the bible – or not.. whatever – each person is judged individually. not by groups.. no sense in commenting without doing your own research..

Anonymous | 5/1/2009, 2:48 pm EST

I too enjoyed watching his interview. Many of the topics he discussed I found enlightening, though, he truly does have every right to privacy it was enjoyable as a long time fan to see and hear his thoughts directly from him and not twisted and turned in print. I remember being totally enthralled with him from the moment I first saw him on MTV wayyyy back and then with the movie and album “purple rain”. I’ve purchased most all of his work and for the most part have felt it was money well spent. I feel he is a pioneer in his industry and do feel he as the creator of HIS body of work that he himself is the one who should prosper from it, as we are all entitled.
However, I am bothered when anyone gives reasons for not voting. Especially someone who clearly can grasp issues as well as he appears to. I feel that sometimes we believe our own importance and put that above the betterment of all. As Americans we all have been given the duty to vote and it came from hard work and often blood of our forefathers. If you feel that it is of little importance, and your religion is what keeps you from a civic duty, not a religious one, then I question it’s sincerity. He may not “have a dog in this fight”, but, he is by birth right an American, that doesn’t change unless you change it yourself and it doesn’t exclude you from the one simple act we all should hold as a duty. We can all agree to disagree, and we all can look at matters and subjects and come up with totally different view points. Our system is far from perfect, yet, I refuse to accept that all the thousands of men, women and children who would give anything to have the right to vote, live in a country that a story like his is even possible, and have the opportunity to make changes in their future by casting a vote would agree that their religion is how they choose to proceed. That appears to me to be why we are fighting two wars, religion. I respect everyone’s religion and would never pass judgement, unless it was a religion of hate, let’s not forget, that people at one time felt and lived as if the KKK was a religious movement, and that Hitler controlled thought and there was no way you could vote your conscience. Please, everyone, remember he is an Artist, and keep everything in perspective, and vote. I did purchase the 3 cd set from Target as soon as it came out. On forst listen, I felt strongly he was making music for himself and it all felt like it was one continuous song. I gave it a second and third play and it began to grow on me. He is an amazing artist, hands down, no question, and he would not be as wealthy as he is if he gave up. So kudos for him and all that encouraged him to be all he could be. I appreciate his music, but not all of his views.

me | 5/2/2009, 2:07 am EST

look up freemasonry, illumimati, skull and bones

me | 5/2/2009, 2:08 am EST

look up freemasonry, illuminati, skull and bones

Zret | 5/2/2009, 9:51 am EST

Now we’re spreading this interview in Italy. Prince is not the first artist to quote poisonous chemtrails: i remember Beck, Muse and many others.

Search for tanker enemy and you will find many truths.

People, wake up! Governments are poisoning us with our money!

Paul | 5/2/2009, 10:10 am EST

The Watchtower society Jehovah’s Witnesses message is now old,stale and PROVEN wrong 1914 different ways.

They are a cruel controlling cult from the get-go.
I expect the membership to actually start declining in the industrialized countries real soon.
I keep wondering what the Watchtower is going to do next,new end of the world date? That too is so old and predictable.

I guess the whole JW thing has just become tired and boring. Kinda like a never ending soap opera.

geoengineer | 5/2/2009, 10:27 am EST

google “GEOENGINEERING”

Tom Bates | 5/2/2009, 12:01 pm EST

Cults will not aloud the public into their churches, but Jehovahs Witnesses does. Jehovah Witnesses churches, coventions and branch offices around the world are open to the public. They have nothing to hide.

A mater of fact Jehovah Witnesses GO OUT to the public and study the bible with them and preach to them and time helped them out too.

Truthteller | 5/2/2009, 1:34 pm EST

Cults DO active recruiting all the time in PUBLIC and the JW are the most zealous at it.

Henry Myers | 5/2/2009, 2:03 pm EST

I really enjoyed listening to Prince speak in his interview. He is obviously very intellegent. Even if some feel his statements are controversial, they are facts that can be substantiated including the chemtrail statement, the statement about the importance of Bible prophesy, and the fact about American Presidents.

Considering his vast knowledge on those issues, I’m sure that he investigated and chose his religion very carefully. I respect that.

That goes far beyond some of the emotional opinions being expressed here including calling JW’s a cult. I studied with them for a while as a part of one of my college courses on religion.
Everything they spoke regarding God and the Bible, they confirmed by following the statement with scriptures from the Bible. I was really impressed.

Reader | 5/2/2009, 2:44 pm EST

There are two kinds of Jehovah’s Witnesses cult posters.

1) active JW members
2) JW shills (JW who pretend to be non-members but still sell & promote for the church)

Lotta fakes

Zret | 5/2/2009, 4:57 pm EST

It’s important to stop the liars.

Search for tanker enemy.

Nihil occultum quod non scietur.

Bryan | 5/4/2009, 11:26 am EST

Hey Writer:

If you are going to pan a conspiracy, at least take the time to see what is is about, and don’t get it wrong. Prince is a nut – given. But there is more to chemtrails…You Wrote: “chemtrails, the conspiracy theory that argues jets drop chemicals through their smoky exhaust.”

Contrails are a reaction associated with jet exhaust. These go away quickly as they are a thermal reaction. They only appear in winter months, period. Look at the Airline’s jets today. You will see no “contrails.” Now look at the unmarked white planes flying high above those jets, above the jet stream, that you can barley see — and ask yourself 1)why are they there. 3) Why do they fly so high? 4) Why would the military fly in a military no fly zone? 5) Why don’t their “con trails go away? 6) why do they get larger and larger? 7) Why do they start to form “clouds” that block the sun on otherwise blue sky days?

Chemtrails are real people. If you don’t see them, you don’t get it… But at least read about them and make an informed decision.

Zret | 5/5/2009, 11:30 am EST

Bryan is right: chemtrails are real and deadly!

charlebruce | 5/5/2009, 7:24 pm EST

yeah i was about 5 maybe 6 years olfd mom became a jw their went the holidays anyhow im not into it now but my sistrer still is most of her life
jeanie told me of lots of things that are to happen in the future and shes 100 percent right like great plaques,like illneses diseases and storms floods wars and talk of wars oh yeah and old volcanoes eruting again but jesus will step in before we destroy ourselves make sme think hmm is he out their?
osama cant be found hes hiding from jesus maybe who can hunt him out like a ghost

charlebruce | 5/5/2009, 7:24 pm EST

yeah i was about 5 maybe 6 years olfd mom became a jw their went the holidays anyhow im not into it now but my sistrer still is most of her life
jeanie told me of lots of things that are to happen in the future and shes 100 percent right like great plaques,like illneses diseases and storms floods wars and talk of wars oh yeah and old volcanoes eruting again but jesus will step in before we destroy ourselves make sme think hmm is he out their?
osama cant be found hes hiding from jesus maybe who can hunt him out like a ghost

frilloman828 | 5/6/2009, 12:12 am EST

chemtrails are very real. i see planes almost every day droppin trails, except these trails don’t dissipate like normal contrails. they linger and expand out, into wide trails, until they final disperse into wispy looking clouds.

zret | 5/6/2009, 5:29 pm EST

Chemtrails are poisoning people and planet. Peoole are dying all over the world for chemtrails.

Wake up!!!

Pamela-Melbourne Australia | 5/7/2009, 3:44 am EST

Prince despite his unique perspective on politics et al has the greatest respect from musicians like Miles Davis, Eric Clapton.

He is the true success of the African-American dream made good through music, is that a bad thing?

Congratulations to him and his wonderful musical legacy that is played in every centre of the world .

Nick Batchelor | 5/8/2009, 1:03 am EST

Despite what most people think and say out of ignorance, Jehovah’s Witnesses resemble early Christianity closer than any group. The opposers are many says the Bible. I met Prince in Hawaii and I know he genuinely loves God and Christ. There is more behind the man than his musical talent.

Nick Batchelor
nickhawaii@gmail.com

Prince admirer | 5/9/2009, 4:02 am EST

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a classic cult.

The definition of a destructive religious cult is like alcoholism-if booze controls you instead of the other way around you are an alcoholic.

A cult does not require any set number of leaders, only the inerrant belief that they are the ONLY TRUE RELIGION. Nothing else matters once that ego kicks in and messes with their heads. Once that engages, it usually takes a life-changing event or change of circumstances to get them to reconsider their beliefs
Religion can be benign then there are hard core Fundy groups that want to rule & control you like hard core alcoholism.

The Watchtower society as an example is not benevolent and won’t let you leave their organization in peace.
If they try to ruin your reputation and break up your family for trying to get out then they are a cult!

Whenever you surrender your logic and reason to anyone who asks you to believe something on “faith” and to trust them because they know better and to please donate generously, it’s a cult. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck….

If a Jehovah’s Witness ever did meet God he’d properly try to teach him the *truth* and convert him.

Zret | 5/9/2009, 11:47 am EST

Remember to support Prince in his fight against chemtrails, the poisons that governments all over the world spread to control people Don’t forget electromagnetic fields etc.

zret | 5/10/2009, 4:08 am EST

Chemtrails all over the world: secret governments want to kill citizens.

Anonymous | 5/10/2009, 5:16 pm EST

Some of your comments are really out there about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I don’t think many of you know what you are talking about. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a cult. If you read your bible you’d see that God has certain standards for true Christians to follow. Jehovah’s Witnesses, being imperfect like everybody else in this world, try their best to live up to those standards. Yes, there are some that live a double life. they are called “wolves in sheeps clothing.” As far as recruiting goes, did not Jesus himself go from house to house sprading his Father’s word??? Did not Jesus say that the world would hate his true followers??? Do your research people!!!!

Lucy Lover | 5/11/2009, 2:52 am EST

The Watchtower cult is WORSE than Jones town.
WHY? 900 casualties at Jones-town versus accumulated THOUSANDS dead in last 50 years over the Watchtower society cult ban on vaccinations then organ transplants and now currently ‘whole’ blood transfusions.

Moreover,there are a MILLION members who do not practice optimum health care ( diabetes control,blood pressure,obesity etc) because of the apocalyptic Watchtower’s promise that the ‘new system’ paradise is coming “shortly”.

These followers will die PREMATURE deaths.

Fighter | 5/12/2009, 10:59 am EST

I don’t know if Bible prophecies are next to be real, but it’s clear that chemtrails are poisonous coming from the sky.

seriously man! | 5/31/2009, 4:31 am EST

oh man it is such a shame that the internet seems to be merely a means for ignorant people to vent their silly theories (in reference to these comments)… get a life/get your facts straight you intolerant individuals :) !

prince being a jehovas witness | 6/2/2009, 10:35 pm EST

if we were a cult why are we so open and go to peoples houses and talk about the bible cults are controled by a man like jones town!we listen to jesus and his father jehovah though the bible thats who we worship we do not worship man like the world does because there inmperfect. we look to gods goverment to change these terrible conditions! and if you can see prince music and himself look much nicer.!

Anonymous | 7/16/2009, 1:45 pm EST

that lucy lover is talking through her butt. jws are allowed to use anything to take care of their health, except blood transfusions period!!!!!!!!

Janette | 7/19/2009, 4:50 am EST

A lot of people do not stop and think that blood transfusions do not always save lives, people sometimes still die after being given blood transfusions.
If the person does survive, there is usually complications, because the person’s body almost always rejects another person’s blood.
Also, there are infections, and the risk of getting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other serious diseases through blood.
So, why risk getting a blood transfusion, if there is no guarantee that you will survive with a healthy life.
Refusing blood transfusions is the best option if you love your life.

Veronica Tamayo | 7/22/2009, 10:46 pm EST

Its really sad that everybody wants to talk bad about jehova witnesses but catholics are the worst ones out there and everybody seems to ignore that.If you ever happen to notice that all other religions want from people is their money you dumb dumbs.

Bobby. | 7/27/2009, 10:53 pm EST

I was a Prince fan. I must admit I think he is a credulous person. Prince says we should pay attention to bible prophecy. That is a silly statement. The bible is a collection of stories created by ignorant, primitive tribes. The bible is not a blueprint for morality. It is a blueprint for ignorant deity worship. Prince believes that silly genesis account of creation? Prince believes in original sin? A man died and rose from the dead? Bigfoot? Dragons? Alien abduction? I am sad to lose Prince. Prince turned out to be just one more dumb Christian.

Anonymous | 10/2/2009, 4:52 pm EST

Ignorance. Intollerance. Fear. It seems that a good number of you subscibe and embrace those emotions/traits. That’s why we’re where we are. People can express their opinions. When others, that don’t agree, feel compelled to insult and curse at them, that indicates that they have many ‘issues’ of their own. Attacking others never solves your issues…deal with them.

u | 11/6/2009, 3:01 pm EST

i <3 prince

u | 11/13/2009, 3:20 pm EST

prince is the bestest man on the planet

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