For this holiday, nothing compares 2 this book
Masicka holds listening session
Caribbean Life, DECEMBER 3-9, 2021 27
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The cover promised greatness.
Just a whisper over twelve
inches square, you knew there
was magic inside; even its
title and artwork were enticing.
Oh, the anticipation, as
you flipped it over to read the
contents before carefully running
a fingernail along one
side to slice the clear wrapping
and finally touch the
vinyl. There was something
truly delicious about the first
minutes with an old-school
record album, but in “Prince”
by Paul Sexton, it was nothing
compared 2 the music.
Andrê Anderson didn’t
know a soul.
He was a teenager then,
and his mother had just
moved him to a different Minneapolis
school and a “new
situation.” When an adult
told him to “go stand against
a wall,” Anderson decided
to stand next to a kid who
looked friendly; remembering
that day, he recalled that that
boy, Prince Rogers Nelson,
was a kindred spirit who lived
for music.
Even then, young Prince
was restless; he ran away from
home many times, bouncing
between his father’s apartment
and the Anderson home.
Prince’s dad, John, was “his
best friend” and was arguably
the root of his son’s talent;
as an adult, Prince remembered
being three years old
and itching to play music his
father’s piano.
By 16, he was proficient
with several musical instruments,
and was a member of
a band. At 18, he wanted to
record his own single; two
years later, he was recording
for a major label. He was
laser-focused on his career,
then and for the rest of his
life, to the point that he rarely
slept. His entourage is said
Book cover of “Prince: A Portrait of the Artist in Memories
& Memorabilia” by Paul Sexton, foreword by Susan
Rogers.
to have made it a game to see
who could stay awake longer
than Prince.
Nobody could.
He had a legendary work
ethic and was generous, but
fools weren’t welcome in his
circle. He was a prankster
who loved to laugh, a perfectionist,
and a visionary. Once,
he called himself “TAFKAP,”
which stood for The Artist
Formerly Known as Prince.
Says Sexton, “But now he
is The Artist Forever Known
as Prince.”
So you think you know
everything there is to know
about The Purple One. Or
maybe not: “Prince” could
still hold a few surprises, even
for the most ardent fan.
But which will be your
favorite part?
Author Paul Sexton tells
Prince’s story from his youth
to his death, through the eyes
of those who worked with
Prince, on-stage and off, in
stories that are both personal
and of the kind you might
hear in a business meeting.
While Sexton delightedly
dives into a mischievous side
of the singer, readers can rest
assured that there’s nothing
scandalous here – that wasn’t
Prince’s way – but those who
know his lyrics know that the
edge is close.
Or will you prefer the pages
of photographs? Pictures of
Prince as a boy, a creator,
a performer? Still–photos,
posters, concert shots, pictures
of his costumes? Photos
that might be new to you?
Why even try to decide about
this book made especially for
fans: pick both, and “Prince”
promises a great read.
“Prince: A Portrait
of the Artist in Memories
& Memorabilia” by
Paul Sexton, foreword by
Susan Rogers
c.2021, Welbeck Publishing
$24.95 / higher in
Canada
143 pages
Paul Sexton, author of “Prince: A Portrait of the Artist in Memories and Memorabilia.”
ing me whether hotel room,
time, something about the
number was always appearing,”
Masicka said.
“One day, I decided to look
it up and learned 438 is an
angelic number, a number full
of positive meaning, prosperity
and optimism,” he added.
“It was just life-changing
experience; so, I just decided
to name the album that.”
Martin Price, director of A
& R (North America & Africa)
at ONErpm, said: “We are
excited to be a part of the
release of Masicka’s debut
album ‘438’.
“The album is a great body
of work, and we know fans
and dancehall enthusiasts will
enjoy,” he added.
According to Ronnie Tomlinson,
the Brooklyn-based
Jamaican entertainment publicist,
the 16-track album
features collaborations with
international star Sean Paul,
Popcaan, Stefflon Don and
Dexta Daps.
The listening session was
attended by various media outlets,
fellow artists and actors,
including actor Michael Rainey
Jr., of “Power”, said Tomlinson,
chief executive officer of
Destine Media.
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