but I think the difference with late '70s/'80s Prince is that the persona was very closely tied to the music itself.

like it was part of the performance.
Prince's songwriting is such (IMO) that he could have Holland-Dozier-Holland-ed it and he'd still be GOAT class

but really, if some "regular looking" dude did a song like "Controversy" I don't think it would make sense.

that's also why, years-past-his-prime Prince disappoints more often than not. there's been a disconnect with his image and his music ever since ... well, Graffiti Bridge if we want to keep it funky but to be more kind, around the time he and Warner Bros. parted.

Basa says it all the time. he looks like a BAMMA now.
(so does Stevie, and his stylist needs his ass whipped, but that's neither here nor there)

with Prince, that's a BIGGER deal than some tend to think.

I think Dirty Mind flat doesn't work if Prince ain't out there with the "gimmick"