It's been a week since Prince died, and some of us have no idea what to do with ourselves. My generation is in the midst of a collective nervous breakdown. Personally, I think many of us are taking it so hard because we know exactly what we've lost. He is the last one. He is the last of all the icons/legends from our generation. There were only three unless you count Luther Vandross, and I guess he was only half ours. Our parents can claim him, too. I don't know when the shock will actually go away for me because I've done a masterful job of convincing myself that Prince was going to be around for a long, long time. I told myself Prince was safe as if I had control over such matters. Why? Because the universe cannot be that cruel. You can't take Michael Jackson at 50, Whitney Houston at 48, and now Prince at 57. I actually breathed a sigh of relief eventually after Michael and Whitney died because I thought to myself, "At least we still have Prince."

But now we don't.

Prince passed away.

Prince has gone home.

Prince is no longer with us.

Prince is gone.

Prince is dead.

Prince is deceased.

I have to say it out loud, but no matter how many ways I phrase it, I have not gotten to the acceptance phase yet.

Everyone who knows me really well knows that Michael Jackson was my entire youth, my heart, my lifeline. In fact, I had a borderline unhealthy relationship with him that started really early. So, we go way back. We are air tight. It is a high level love. Everything starts and ends with Michael. However, Prince has always been just a half step behind him as far as my adoration goes. And although that never changed, I did cheat on Michael a lot with Prince in high school. What can I say, he caught me at a vulnerable age with his provocative, raunchy, yet sensual, material. Whatever The Purple One was singing about back then, my young ears were apparently ready to hear it. Right or wrong, I learned the words to all of those explicit lyrics, and the main thing I remember about seeing him in concert--my first concert by the way--in 1983 was him humping on a bed. I'll consider all of it an advanced sex education class. For all of us. Teenage boys from, let's say 1980-1986, can thank Prince for every shirt they had the privilege of reaching into in junior high or high school. So, on Prince's behalf, you're welcome.

Sexuality is not bad. Sexuality is very spiritual in nature. And that's a God given gift, too. ~Prince

Prince helped us teenagers at the time to ... how shall I say this? Oh, what the hell ... get in tune with our bodies, our sexuality, our inner freak. Quite frankly, he aroused us. Can you imagine that? Here was this high-heeled, hairy chested, mustache-sideburns-having, lace-wearing, hoop earring-wearing, long-haired, 5' 2" powerhouse with unprecedented swagger and sex appeal oozing out of every molecule in his pint-sized body, who could change his voice from deep to high and still manage to keep his masculinity intact. Damn.

In a comedy skit even Jamie Foxx said, "I challenge any dude in here not to look in his eyes and feel some kind of sh*t!" This man with modest stature in lace and high heels had more sex appeal in his baby toe than any artist during the 80s and 90s, and the same still holds true today.

Prince was so cold that he'd give some of his conquests a new name, and they rolled with it.

Prince: Denise, your name is now Vanity.

Denise: Okay, whatever you want, baby.

Prince: Tara doesn't work for me. You're Carmen Electra now.

Tara: Of course I am! I'll be whoever you want me to be.

The other massive realization for me is that there are no artists left from our generation who are even remotely close to being legendary. (No Kanye, it's not you. Not yet anyway.) Sure, there are a few artists who have lots of potential--Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Jhene Aiko and more. However, I can't think of anyone of the magnitude of the three we've lost. That's a scary thought, especially if you love music.

So, my generation is going to need a minute to come to terms with this loss. It's different for our parents who are fortunate enough to still have Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Levert (He lost both of his sons for goodness sakes!), Lionel Richie, and others. I know that we're all truly fortunate to have these greats still with us, but I do think we'd handle their deaths a little better because they've had longer lives and they're essentially retired.

It's really hard to say goodbye to someone in their 40s and 50s. However, like someone pointed out on Facebook ... Michael, Whitney, and Prince accomplished so much in their lives. They lived and did more than most of us will do collectively in our entire lifetimes. That gives me some comfort, yet still not enough. The only thing we can do now is appreciate even more the great music they've all left us and come to terms with something we can't change and something we're all going to experience someday.

With regard to Prince, I feel a little guilty for essentially ignoring him and taking his music for granted in more recent years, assuming he'd always be at our disposal, vowing to pay for some new music eventually. It's not a good feeling to now buy his music after his death, but it must be done.

Since I have a voracious appetite for his sexual side, here's my goodbye.

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? Something in the Water Does Not Compute. I Wanna Be Your Lover again. I'd love to go Uptown, so maybe you can come scoop me in your Little Red Corvette, and then Let's Pretend We're Married and have Mad Sex until we're both Satisfied. I know you don't like it When Doves Cry, so Let's Go Crazy and act a little Scandalous. I Adore you Party Man and could care less about the Controversy. You know I'm an Irresistible Bitch, and my Private Joy is my business. Damn U ... your Kiss makes me Delirious Sweet Baby. I Would Die 4 U in a Housequake, but If I Was Your Girlfriend I'd want you to take me to Erotic City because I am Insatiable. I look forward to the Purple Rain, too. You Got the Look, and I can't get you out of my Head. You don't have to buy me Diamonds and Pearls ... that's only necessary When 2 R in Love, and I know right now I'm the only one In Love.

Prince said Sometimes It Snows In April. Well, sometimes that snow in April turns into the worst blizzard ever.

Rest in Power, You Sexy Mutha*****!

June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016

#Prince #legend #icon #PurpleRain #sexuality