Prince (November 1988) “Prince Vs. Prince: An Artist At War With Himself” – Major Cover Story & Feature – Musician Magazine (US

Extensive November 1988 cover story and eight-page feature in Musician magazine examining Prince’s internal conflicts, creative genius, and the tensions surrounding the Lovesexy era and his evolving career.

PUBLICATION:

Date: November 1988

Country: United States

Section / Pages: Cover + 8-Page Feature Title: PRINCE VS. PRINCE / An artist at war with himself

THE STORY

Musician magazine dedicated its cover and a deep multi-page feature to Prince, exploring the duality of his public persona versus his private self. The article delves into his complex personality, the challenges of fame, his battles with Warner Bros., the creation of Lovesexy, and his artistic evolution. It includes detailed reporting on his Paisley Park operations, band dynamics, and reflections on his previous projects like Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, and Sign o’ the Times.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published during the Lovesexy Tour, this was one of the most in-depth American magazine profiles of Prince in 1988. It portrays him as a brilliant but conflicted artist struggling with control, public perception, and the pressures of constant innovation. The feature provides rare insights into his working methods and the internal “war” between his different artistic identities.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Era: Lovesexy (1988)

Tone: Analytical, introspective, ambitious

Photography: Powerful cover portrait of Prince in a black suit + multiple interior images including live shots and studio portraits

“An artist at war with himself”

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Dramatic Musician cover with Prince in a black suit and the bold headline “Prince Vs. Prince”

• Extensive 8-page interior spread with in-depth text, additional photos, and analysis of his career and personality

All magazine scans, photographs and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.