Dunno if this has been posted/mentioned already, but here ya go N E way..



peace, love & +angerine

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PRINCE'S NEW DISTRIBUTION DEAL

Wingspan Records Distributes New Prince Single



(Apr. 17, 2001) DANVILLE, Va. /PRNewswire/ -- Prince continues his crusade against the oppressive system under which major labels abuse their artists while, simultaneously, a small independent hip-hop label out of Virginia has taken Prince's challenge "to do the work" literally. On April 10, 2001 they released "U Make My Sun Shine" by Prince with Angie Stone to retail and radio.



The single is one of the newest attempts by Prince to show that distribution of music does not have to be filtered through the major label system that leaves many platinum and gold artists bankrupt.



Both a revolutionary and a visionary, Prince recently started http://www.npgmusicclub.com, a source for his fans to download original Prince music directly from the source, the artist. Prince uses fams in place of fans to symbolize that his supporters are his family. Although ostracized by an industry that once adored him, his legion of fams is still quite strong. Over the last week, they have flocked to download a new, Napster-only song, "The Work -- Part 1" and have instantly made it one of the most downloaded songs in Napster history.



Wingspan Records is the ideal company to be marketing and distributing the Prince music through retail stores. Despite being the most successful independent hip-hop label of the last two years, with five consecutive top 20 Billboard Rap Singles, it has steadfastly remained independent of major label involvement in the distribution of its music.



"We've developed a network of distributors who support us and the music that we make," stated Stacey Rogers, national director of promotion. "We're to the point where national retail chains respect our product." With the Prince and Angie Stone duet taking off at major metropolitan stations across the country, the trend continues.



Wingspan has its own battles to fight with the establishment's abuse of artists. After releasing the hip-hop version of "Who Let the Dogs Out?" by Chuck Smooth in 1999, and developing a publishing partnership with Ozzie Gurley, the composer of the music for The Baha Men's version of "Who Let the Dogs Out," Wingspan has been in a constant battle with Deston Songs over ownership to the publishing of the song. Deston is a music publishing company co-owned by successful songwriter Desmond Child. Deston contends that its agreement with Anslem Douglas, the writer of the words to the song, gives them 100 percent ownership of the publishing, despite the assertion that Ozzie Gurley received no compensation from Deston for his share of the composition after being the sole writer of the music. The dispute is currently in the Canadian and New York State court systems.



Wingspan is owned by Scott Brooks and Charles Fulp, who also own the 30-store chain of One-Stop Cellular wireless communication stores. Both in their early 30s, these entrepreneurs have created an impressive track record of proven, on-going success.



"We're confident that the rights of the artist will win out in the end over the tyranny of big business," stated Scott Brooks. "It's present in our dispute with Deston, but even more obvious in how the music industry has disrespected Prince."



"We're excited about the opportunity to support Prince and help get this song out. Prince made a great song and people deserve to have the chance to enjoy it," stated Charles Fulp.

source: DigitalWork.com



http://www.eurweb.com/art...172001.cfm