unbelievable. >> then there was the domino effect. suddenly you see prince videos from warner bros. do the same thing. ♪ tonight we're going to party like it's 1999 ♪ >> prince wasn't just materializing out of nowhere. where was he before this video was done? >> prince was a huge star on black radio stations. i mean, people -- he had a real underground cult following him. he was a very sexy, hot performer. ♪ the sweat of your body covers me ♪ ♪ can you, my darling, can you picture this ♪ >> prince loved the idea that he was taking his punk-funk music and turning it on to a white audience, and that wouldn't have happened if not for mtv. ♪ this is what it sounds like when doves cry ♪ >> when i was younger, i always said that one day i was going to play all kinds of music and not be judged for the color of my