El Dusty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Impact: “P Control.” As a club DJ, when everyone is already wasted, throw that song on & the floor would get lit.
Deep Cut: “Batdance.”
Legacy: He wrote classics.
Jordan Rogers, Tiger City, Memphis
Impact: “1999″ has those powerful opening synths. Next up are “Controversy” or “Seven.”
Legacy: No boundaries.
Chili Davis, 718 Sessions, NYC
Impact: “Erotic City.” Played at the right time to the right crowd, a DJ can set the tone for a party.
Deep Cut: “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore” is a great track to close a night with.
Legacy: Never anyone like him.
Linda Leigh, BurstRadio.net, Philadelphia
Impact: “Hot Thing.” The girls love it & when the girls love it, the guys do, too—such a funky groove!
Deep Cut: Herbie Hancock’s instrumental version of “Thieves in the Temple” – jazzy goodness.
Legacy: Timeless appeal.
Jackie McCloy, NY Music Pool, Long Island
Impact: “1999”—it was the song to play at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Deep Cut: “Extraordinary,” a slow jam that would work as a transition back in the day.
Legacy: He appealed to all audiences.
Tony Fernandez, Sowndwave, Richmond, Va.
Impact: “Erotic City.” Great energy, great melody & crazy lyrics. It’s just funky & the content didn’t hurt.
Deep Cuts: Everything on Sign o’ the Times.
Legacy: Brilliance.
Al Pizarro, Heavy Rotation Promo, NYC
Impact: “When Doves Cry.” As soon as the crowd heard the opening guitar lick, they went crazy.
Deep Cut: “I Would Die 4 U” was always a great change of pace into a dance-rock segment.
Legacy: Songs you can play anytime.
Jae Murphy, Jason Derulo Tour DJ, L.A.
Impact: “1999” has timeless energy.
Deep Cut: “Alphabet Street” with the screams, the harmonies and the guitar.
Legacy: He’s timeless.
Trayze, 107.3 FM, Washington, D.C.
Impact: “Kiss” because the girls lose their shit to that one.
Deep Cuts: The songs he wrote or performed on, like “777-9311” by The Time or “Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks.
Legacy: Genius & a visionary.
DJ ShadowReD, Chateau, Las Vegas
Impact: “Erotic City” definitely makes the dancers get closer on the floor.
Deep Cut: “Sexy MF,” such a cool/slick song.
Legacy: Timeless music.
Richard Vission, Powertools, L.A.
Impact: “When Doves Cry” & “Erotic City” always keep the dancefloor sexy.
Deep Cut: “Controversy” is an all-time fave. My bootleg remix became a big tune for me.
Legacy: He never followed any trends sonically.
Miguel Campbell, Sankeys, Leeds, U.K.
Impact: “1999.” The stereo effects & the sound quality of the guitars & vocals are amazing.
Deep Cut: “Erotic City,” the original or Wolf + Lamb’s house remix.
Legacy: Innovative, provocative & evocative.
Chus + Ceballos, Stereo Productions, Madrid, Spain
Impact: “Let’s Go Crazy.” The tension brought on by the speech & the organ breaking into the guitar & the lead vocal is epic, one of the most powerful dance-rock pieces ever made. It brings your energy up, no matter the circumstances.
Deep Cut: “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The music & lyrics touch the deep corners of the soul like no other Prince track.
Legacy: Total musician who wrote universal music.
Matador, Rukus, Dublin, Ireland
Impact: “1999.” I don’t know anyone on the planet who doesn’t like this.
Deep Cut: “Sexy MF.” I love the simplicity of this track & its clean, smooth groove—plus, I have a soft spot for a bit of brass.
Legacy: Prince embodied music & his level of attention to his craft makes his music timeless.
Felguk, Sony Music, Rio de Janeiro
Impact: “Kiss” is just a memorable, sexy, groovy, fun song.
Deep Cut: “Sexy MF” is just a straight-up, funky track, James Brown-style, with a big, groovy bass.
Legacy: A real artist.
Joe Stone, Spinnin, Almelo, Holland
Impact: “Kiss” is irresistible in its grooviness.
Deep Cut: “I Wanna Be Your Lover” for its intro & guitar part.
Legacy: Prince was always ahead of his time.
Redondo, Spinnin, Amsterdam
Impact: “Kiss.” We used to play the René Amesz bootleg a lot—had a breakbeat/tech-housey vibe.
Deep Cut: “Musicology” is a combo of Prince’s old stuff and the hip-hop/pop stuff that Pharrell produced.
Legacy: Most of his tracks are evergreens.
The Sol Brothers, Drenched Records, London
Impact: A remix of “When Does Cry.”
Deep Cut: “I Wanna Be Your Lover” usually surprises the crowd & gets a reaction.
Legacy: Funk, soul, originality.
