When a celebrity like C-Murder asks 100 random people (via his own website) to donate a thousand dollars to pay for his court costs, you have to start questioning things. Do you know what we could be doing with a thousand dollars right about now in this effed up economy? Why isn’t Master P helping him out in this time of need? And wasn’t C-Murder writing books in jail or something?

Granted, I have my own little “Donate” box, but it’s just there. Kind of like the bathroom towels that are strategically placed to match the decor of the bathroom that you don’t want anyone to use, my “donate” box is more or less for decoration.

Now, we have Tavis Smiley plugging Prince’s new album (a 3-disc set), because Prince contributed some money at Smiley’s fundraiser. I don’t know how to feel about this, because Prince, freaky and reclusive as he is (or was), probably didn’t need the mention. He knows how to undress himself as well, like he sang in “Kiss”. You get the point. I’m sure he can promote and market his own ish, but damn, Tavis practically wrote a press release! 

“As is common for some philanthropic individuals who donate to charitable and worthy causes, Prince is one of those people who won’t tout his contributions. He just doesn’t do it. He gives to give. In our case, Prince not only donated his time but covered all expenses for the show and mysteriously enough we received another donation matching dollar-for-dollar the six-figure concert proceeds. Guess who?

By now you may know that he has released a new phenomenal 3-CD set, “LotusFlow3r,” which showcases yet again his musical genius. The CD is available exclusively through Target stores nationwide and retails for $11.98 and is slated to reach No. 1 in record sales this week.

Because Prince has carved a creative niche for himself to own his music and to market directly to the public, this project does not have the traditional support of radio or a record label. Hence, you may have not heard any of the CD tracks on your local radio stations. But these circumstances should not prevent the public from hearing about or accessing the work of an artist who is perhaps the greatest of our time.

So I’m asking you as our friends to take a minute to check out his CD for yourself at a Target store or visit Target online at http://www.target.com.

And in addition, later this month Prince is scheduled to be a guest on my television show on PBS to discuss his CD and the challenges facing independent music artists pursuing their right to self-determination. Prince has given to our youth and I need your help to give a little back to him.

Thank you again for your support and for your consideration.

Keep the Faith!

Tavis Smiley (source)

All jokes and sarcasm aside, it’s PRINCE! He’s been in the game for a long time now, does it really take a huge donation to have someone else write an open letter to everyone to promote Prince’s material? No one says promote so and so’s project because they donated to charity.

I’m sure there are a lot of die-hard, ride or die Prince fans out there who will buy his music regardless, or download it (when was the last time you bought a CD, when everything is being leaked these days?). In this case, Prince doesn’t “need more people”.

Question, did Tavis even listen to Prince’s album? It’s one thing to tell everyone to check out someone’s material after they’ve reviewed it, it’s another thing to tell someone to check out someone’s material and not form an opinion.