Prince was the shit before he hit it big with '1999', and later 'Purple Rain'. Back then he was was like a underground cult figure. Folks didn't know what to make of him - dude would come out dressed in thigh-high stockings and boots, but he tore shit up on the guitar. Y'all should check out his earlier LPs. He doesn't get the recognition he should from the rock & roll community. Dude can play just about anything - rock, metal, funk, soul, pop, you name it.
For You(1978)
Prince(1979)
Dirty Mind(1980)
Controversy(1981)
...and of course he wrote, perfomed, and produced all The Time LPs. He wrote stuff for Vanity 6, Sheila E., Sheena Easton, The Bangles('Manic Monday'), Sinead O'Connor, etc., etc., etc. So many artists have said Prince was a big influence on them(Alicia Keys did one of his songs on her first CD).
If you want some hard-hitting Prince-funk, listen to the 'Black Album'.