Robert Borjesson's interview with Pras

This interview was in the Swedish newspaper Expressen on July 24 1998. They talked a lot about Janet and Michael and here are the parts where he mentioned their names. The interview was printed in Swedish so this is only a translation. Enjoy!

Pras: I adore artists like Janet Jackson, Police, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Eagles, Phil Collings. And the Bee Gees. I'm probably the worlds biggest Bee Gees fan.

Ex: I interviewed Janet Jackson a couple of months ago and she said one of her biggest dreams was to make music with you.
Pras: Who?
Ex: Janet Jackson.
Pras: Janet Jackson?
Ex: Yes.
Pras: With the Fugees?
Ex: No, with you.
Pras: With me and Wyclef?
Ex: No, with you.
Pras: Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson's baby sister?
Ex: Yes, yes, yes.
Pras: Are you serious?
Ex: Yeees!
Pras: (quiet for almost one minute) Wow, I don't know what to say. (laughter) Yo, are you serious?
Ex: Yes, of course I am. Why whould I joke about that?
Pras: I love Janet!
Ex: You seem to be in chock. You were quiet for almost a minute.
Pras: I'm just so surprised. Who would have thought that? Not even in my wildest dreams... Oh my God. I'm only 25 years old so I grew up with her brothers. And she was a big part of my life. An idol. When Control was released I was only 14 and for her to say such a thing is as big as possible to me.
Ex: You have goosebumbs?
Pras: (laughing out loud) Yeah. And it's not the first time this year. You know, I got the chance to work with Sting with this album and the first time we met we even hanged out in his house. You get it? He and I. Imagine yourself, you're a kid and you grow up with these mega huge stars on record and TV and then suddenly you're on the same level as your heroes. Only because I'm an artist doesn't mean I stop being a fan.
Ex: No matter what you do in life I suppose it's a benefit to never stop being a fan.
Pras: Abselutely. And you won't do good music if you stop being that ridicolous in love with other artists. Oh, I loved I Get Lonely that Janet did with BlackStreet. I'm never gonna stop being a fan. Never!
Ex: So Sting was a cool guy?
Pras: (whispering) Sting is... wonderful. You know how people always ask why artists like Sting always can stay on the top. That's no coinsidence. When you meet then you really feel that they have something that keeps their music and themselves forever. As if they were humans above it all. Just take Janet.

They discuss other things for a little while.

Pras: During her entire career she's gotten shit from female colleauges, but where are those girls today? Janet has been in the bussiness for 16 years, have had lots of number ones and still kicks butt with everything against her. I don't understand people who whine about top artists. Phenomenon like Sting and Janet deserve all the respect in the world.
Ex: When you meet idols like Sting, do you act like a fan then?
Pras: Yeees, just like a real hysterical fan. I remember the first time I met Michael [Jackson]. I acted like a teenager. (immitates himself with loud, high voice) Oh Michaeeeeeeel, wow Michael Jacksoooooooooon. (laughs out loud) I can't even lie for you. Then you understand how much of a fan I am. It doesn't matter how tough and hard I am normally, if I meet an idol like Janet I would break down. I don't know what I would say or do. Become paralized.
Ex: And you would blush.
Pras: Yeah, without hestitation. (laughs)
Ex: Working with Janet. You have to call her...
Pras: Yeah yeah yeah, of course. I'm even gonna have her on my thank you list in my album. She would like that, right? Imagine she wants to work with me. Oh, this was a good day. Me and Janet...

End of interview.