I'm starting this thread because even though i consider myself a die hard fan, i'd be a liar if i said i knew everything about Prince. I don't know all the details of everything he went through with Warner Bros. amongst other things (I mean i'm only 21). But what I really can't understand is why it seems like eveything that involves fans of Prince, Prince himself is never affiliated and often works to get rid of such things. I've only come to this conclusion because of many comments i've read on here, but if im correct in my assumptions can someone please tell me..what's up with that??

Control. Prince has to have it at any price. I'm sure he rationalizes his business actions that ultimately distance his fans as entitlement and ownership of his image. The problem is that it's not a cut-and-dry issue. Prince's chosen livelihood depends and thrives on a certain amount of trust, perceived value and delivery of goods in a timely manner.

Prince has failed his fans miserably in that regard. I don't think I need to list those failures.

I think it's very telling that pretty much everyone who was ever a big enough fan to start a Prince-related endeavour (e.g., Controversy, Housequake, the Org) ends up being not so much a fan sooner or later.

It seems like a fam is just a hater who hasn't met Prince yet.

Prince does not have beef with people who like him (his fans?), who told you that? He loves his fans if you go to his concerts he very often says that he loves his fans.
Prince however is a businessman over and above his musicianship. He does not like to have his songs / image used without his permission.

The music industry is in a difficult state with the internet and youtube. Prince just wants to get paid when people use his work for whatever reason and he also has a problem with people bastardizing his work.

Efan said:

Oh snap! Y'all hitting THE TRUTH hard as hell, up in here today!!!

It's looking to me like it's about that time!

Prince tends to be extreme and intense about anything that's important to him. Moderation is a foreign concept to him. People with intense personalities get into more conflicts than their more moderate counterparts.

In speaking to another Prince fan the other day, I made this statement which is a good representation as how I feel these days...

I'm a fan of that skinny motherfucker from Minneapolis.
I'm not a fan of Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson.

They are no longer the same person.

pplrain makes fine points.

4 a moment, putting the business aside, Prince has an emotional heart that lives with this fan based atmosphere. A World surrounds Prince that does more than critique his music. People can really say some hurtful things that affect his spirit. Sometimes I believe Prince just wants to recline...get away from all of it...close some doors on some trashy videos and kick some old stones out of the way. Prince is a man growing closer to God as the minutes pass. Prince knows that as a role model, He has to first be happy with the decisions He makes as a Divine Spirit, and then as a Music Man. So Prince Slams the door 2 319, and goes home and cuddles up with a Bible. In General, I'm saying that Prince isn't about the Fame and the Money as much as He is about the Love Within. Maybe at one time He flew out of the gate onto the racetrack of life...but now it's time to smell the roses. Remember, Prince has said some profound things. "The Road U choose 2 walk in this life is the one that leads into the next." & "When Love calls...U've got 2 go!"

pplrain said:

Exactly! Well said

pplrain said:

Oh. Right. He loves his fans. Okay. By "love" are you refering to the act of completely iscolating and robbing what little remaining fanbase you cling to? But because he says it in concert, it simply must be true. I see.

If anything, he should be thanking the internet and youtube, because THAT is what's going to INCREASE his fanbase. He's not putting out anything noteworthy enough to attract people any other way, so they have to resort to his old work.

So I say this: LET THE BOOTLEGGERS REJOICE! I'll put my money in YOUR bank account before I put my money in PRINCE'S.