Men of words

by Nathan Rabin
August 25th, 1999

Few poets or authors have had as profound an influence on popular culture as famed English poet T.S Eliot. And few of Prince's flunkies have been forgotten as quickly as former New Power Generation rapper T.C. "Twin Cities" Ellis. Still, despite the seemingly large gap between their respective places in history, the two have a lot in common. Here's a quick guide to the similarities and differences between these two enigmatic, poetical figures.

            Occupation  

Minneapolis-based rapper and former member of the New Power Generation

 

Poet, essayist, playwright

    Most Notable Work(s)  

Rap on "New Power Generation (Part II)" from Prince's 1990 album Graffiti Bridge

 

The Wasteland, "Four Quartets"

    Famous Friends  

Mavis Staples, The Time, Tevin Campbell

 

Wyndham Lewis, Djuna Barnes, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce

    Sample Verse  

This here rap's about the true confession
If U listen close you're about to learn a lesson
U must know failure before success
Now this is the failure I must confess.
—"New Power Generation (Part II)"

 

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future
And Time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is undreemable.
—"Burnt Norton"

    Place(s) of Inspiration  

Paisley Park

 

London, East Coker, Unreal City

    Feline Association  

Worked with Prince, who once provided limited-term employment for an attractive but not especially talented rapper and dancer called Cat.

 

Author of Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats, which was later adapted into the stage play Cats, which provided limited-term employment for thousands of attractive but not especially talented singers and dancers

   

Questionable Sanity

 

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, who, in a fit of insanity, famously wrote "SLAVE" in magic marker on his face.

 

Poet Ezra Pound, who, in a fit of insanity, actively supported Adolf Hitler.