http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/benjib/

Grab it before it's gone.

The difference between Meshell and her admirers is when Benji asks her if anyone has ever sampled her music, she forgives and forgets. Not us I actually shouted "Brian!" Not really a sample, but you know...

Have a favorite part? I still haven't listened to the whole thing yet (in the process) -- I'd have to say as much as I love Cato's solo in "Trust," I'm still disappointed in hearing about P's response to her request of playing on "Cookie." What a missed opportunity for him...

A very good interview with long answers...

If there's a fast typist out there that wants to transcribe this, I'll happily post it on the site...

Yes I was a little tripped out by Prince's response as well myself. He an her are my 2 favorite artists so 2 hear them 2gether on a song would have been ecstacy. But she says that's why sometimes it's best to not meet your heroes. Great interview though!

Yeah, this was a great interview. I also was bit shocked about Prince's response/ego/etc. But also it make me totally laugh, as I recall a Rolling Stone review stating something like "Cookie is the record Prince keeps on attempting to make." Talk about just desserts.

Can't wait for her show in Seattle next week.

-Bruce

I remember when Meshell hit the scene in 1993 when I was in middle school. I thought she was funky as hell but I couldn't really appreciate her music. Even with the Peace Beyond Passion album in 1996 I would go 2 the record store and just stare at the cover, but would be scared 2 listen cuz I wasn't sure if I was ready 4 someone like her. It wasn't until "Cookie" came out in 2002 that I decided 2 give her a chance when I read that quote in Rolling Stone saying it was the album Prince keeps trying 2 make. Prince is my all time favorite artist, but I had grown weary with his direction since the late 90s (also around the time I discovered his bootlegs which kept me a fan till he found his way back!) so 2 hear Rolling Stone compare Cookie 2 Prince in any way, I was on board. I was floored by what I heard and went out and immediately bought her back cataloge. Since then I've been a hardcore fan of hers.

I had a similar experience -- which I've written about before on the board -- or elsewhere, I can't remember. For me, the moment was either before or shortly after PBP came out.

I was hooked after "A Tear And A Smile," which probably isn't even in my top 50 songs of her's at this point.

That's funny. My similar experience wasn't with Meshell, but with P himself. Meshell had this Ice Cube/PE/Paris fanatic instantly head over heals in love. I still remember sitting in my car (which had that boom), in the middle of winter, with Plantation Lullabies on repeat. I'll never forget giving a ride to a bunch of hardcore thugs whilst playing that album. I figured I'd switch it to something more to their liking, and receiving complaints and queries to the contrary.