Prince (July 12, 1994)  – Staten Island Advance New York

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Jul 12, 1994

2 min read

Updated: Jul 12

This early‑summer 1994 feature documents Prince’s public appearance at Club USA in New York City, shortly after his name change to the unpronounceable symbol.

Publication: 

Staten Island Advance (New York) Date: Tuesday, July 12 1994 Country: United States Section / Pages: The Name Game Feature Title: (a.k.a.) Prince

The article describes his attire — a black lace and silver one‑piece pantsuit with halter top and open back — and his clear glass cane filled with gold nuggets, noting his hour‑long stay grooving among the dancers.

The piece explains Prince’s reasoning behind the name change, quoting his remarks from Vibe magazine: “You don’t [pronounce it],” he said, adding that he didn’t mind jokes or cynicism — “that’s part of it, but this is what I choose to be called.” He compared his transformation to Muhammad Ali’s shift from Cassius Clay, emphasizing that the move to a symbol allowed him to operate twin careers: continuing to release five albums under the Prince name while pursuing new creative freedom as TAFKAP.

Prince described the symbol as containing elements of both male and female — “the cross and the arrow” — representing balance and unity. He dismissed speculation of a publicity stunt, saying, “This isn’t a scheme, some master plan. It’s in God’s hands now.”

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This article captures the first wave of media fascination surrounding Prince’s identity shift. His comparison to Ali underscored the seriousness of his decision — a spiritual and artistic declaration rather than a marketing ploy. The Staten Island Advance piece remains one of the earliest local press accounts of his symbolic rebirth.

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