Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Entertainment
EntertainmentMusic

Prince to Write Memoir, Fans Eager to Get a Glimpse Inside the Intensely Private Superstar’s Life

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)
Prince in a promo photo for his 2014 album.

Prince in a promo photo for his 2014 album.

Living legend is a phrase that gets tossed around loosely, but when it comes to R&B/pop crooner Prince, it’s necessary.

Perhaps that is why there’s so much buzz surrounding the notoriously private performer’s upcoming memoir. According to The Wall Street Journal, the singer revealed during a pop-up show in New York City that he’ll be writing one. The book’s working title is “The Beautiful Ones,” and it is due out next spring from Spiegel & Grau, according to Forbes.

The book is named after his 1984 song of the same name, which is from his hit film and album, Purple Rain.

The enthusiasm from fans and the general public over this revelation opens eyes to why Prince is so revered. Like Rihanna after him, this is a performer who does things his own way. The statements he makes are bold, and he has never been one to shy away from explaining the truth about his own heritage and culture. He unapologetically uses his wide platform to give those around him a sample of his thoughts.

Though Madonna is probably the only pop singer who could be compared to him with her brashness, the Queen of Pop comes off as trying too hard. She recently made headlines for revealing the breast of a 17-year-old on stage, according to Spin. All that for … nothing.

Would Prince ever be caught pulling such a lousy stunt with fans? It would be surprising to see that. When he’s on stage, it’s all about him and his uncommon ways. From his newest music being a funk/R&B mash totally unlike what contemporary singers are releasing, to his bold reveal of a memoir, it’s no wonder fans are eager to read this reportedly “unconventional” book.

 

Still independent.

We hope this story was worth your time. For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed Black-owned and independently run. We didn't get here by waiting on ad budgets that were never built to prioritize us. Our readers did that.

Corporate support for Black media has always been thin. Outlets like ours get roughly 1% of the $170 billion spent on U.S. advertising each year, and that margin is shrinking further as advertisers walk back the DEI-linked commitments they made in 2020. That's the backdrop. It's not why we're asking.

The wider picture isn't any steadier. Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under, it's rarely the ones built to center a Black perspective from the ground up that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top