{{{This article is set to appear in next week's Beat Magazine, a music magazine in Melbourne Australia. Only got hold of this as i have a friend who works at the magazine office. ---

The music industry is a buzz with rumours circulating the the artist once again known as Prince may be set to sign up to a major label. Prince who split with Warner Records in the mid 1990s after a very public battle, once vowed never to sign to a major label again, and began releasing music independently, or on the Internet. However, despite some of his later music being amongst his best, the lack of any real marketing campaigns has seen much of his music slip into stores unnoticed, except for die hard fans. }}}

The Rainbow Children, his 2002 album, recieved positive reviews from critics and fans alike, but with minimal marketing strategies in place, the album made little impact. While Prince has also released some mediocre albums by his own standards, Prince has shown that he still has the magic that once captivated audiences in his hey day. Prince still attracts rave reviews for his live shows, his Australian shows last year were rated as possibly being the best concerts of the year.

BMG Records and J Records are being touted as the most likely labels to sign Prince up. If Prince can deliver good quality music, and have that backed by some good marketing on the part of the Label, Prince has every chance to rule the top of the charts again. Unlike his main rival Michael Jackson, Prince has steered clear of any major controversies, so his public image remains well intact. It is rumoured that Prince is putting the finishing touches to a new album, and insiders have been reported to say that the new album recaptures the sounds Prince is famous for in his peak in the 80s, while still maintaining a modern edge. But like many Prince fans know, Dont believe a thing until you see it.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I find this new very promising and exciting. Although artists should indeed own their own music, I think Prince is making the right choice by signing to a major again.

Now, if the music is good (so, not like NPS, but more like Rainbow Children), he may be able to again combine commercial success with artistry. I hope doesn't forget to write a couple of catchy hit songs for his next record though.

Last paragraph is interesting... everytime there is a rumor about a new album, insiders (or pseudo-insiders) speculate about how this new album will "sound like Purple Rain", or "like SOTT", ... They said that with Rave, they said it with TRC. I think it is maybe mostly the case with Rave, but I do prefer an original approach like TRC, which is because of its originality also "typically Prince". Let's wait and see. I'm so excited!

I don't think any of Prince's albums every sound anything much like any of their predecessors.

They tried t osell "Rave" as a comeback to the sound of the 80's, but i would really not like that for his new album.

ivdf said:

If it sounds anything like "What Do U Want Me 2 Do" and "Reflection", the new stuff will be safe as milk and bland as butter.

I thought it was already understood that he is under Universal Records which contains many of these seperate lables and a wide range of popular artist inluding EVE Justin T.

So this is just he begining of the confirmation of long standing rumors and the setting in motion of his promotion for his new album

SillyCon said:

That is for the administration of his publishing rights.

I heard,(total speculation!!) that WB had a sign out the front saying "under new managment",and that P may sign up once again, only this time he'll still run the show,all WB will be doing is distributing and marketing, a bit like George Michael with his own branch of sony,Agean records.

I think this Mavrick like arangment could be good for P's music, also heard (BIG maybe!!) his masters may return to him if he signs.

We'll have to wait and see

I'm actually a bit heartened by this too -- if not because of a wider distribution arm, perhaps some obligation to a major might see a more disciplined consistency in Prince's output.

This is absolutely fantastic, I just love hearing something like this.



That little tidbit + Prince having his proper marketing name back + TRC having showed us that Prince still has "it"=One very fucking happy Prince fan here.

I don't even care if he doesn't produce a hit, I'll just love seeing his music get distributed to a bigger audience again.

this could totally rock

XxAxX said:

And Melbournians rock too!

bkw said:

just can't wait. If it does happen, than will B the 1st 1 2 buy the album.

P.S. Eye remember n an article posted on this site, when a reporter interviewed Prince recently. When the reporter brought up the subject of playing his old songs again, when he said he wouldn't, P told him that it was 2 prepare his band 4 a large nationwide tour. A tour...hmmm. Where there is a major tour, there could B a major album.

DFUNK said:

I have hoped as much as any other huge Prince fan that this sort of thing would happen sometime. I am of the cynical point of view that it probably won't, not because Prince is unable to deliver the goods, but because the music buying public may not be interested.
However, Prince DOES have some positives that would go in his favour for a commercial comeback, particulary if he signs to a major label with massive marketing etc.
After seeing him on the Grammys, I was so blown away by his ability to move and perform on stage still, making the likes of Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake(who I like both) look pale in comparison. To go on stage and perform hits from Purple Rain was also a big sacrifice of ego for him, but he clearly enjoyed the experience and maybe he will remember what made him commercially successful in the 80's and will reintroduce this magic back to a modern music industry which has become so dull.
One thing that I have been thinking about for some time now. The music industry has become so bland and lifeless and it is time that someone or something gave it a big kick up the arse. I wonder if that is what will happen in 2004? If Prince still has it, then I would definitely hand the job over to him!!!

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRINCE RE-DEFINE HIMSELF IN THE WAY I KNOW HE CAN.PRINCE, AT THIS POINT MUST ONLY DROP HIS VERY BEST AFFORD'S OR HE LOSES.IF PRINCE RELEASES MEDIOCRE ALBUMS AT THIS STAGE IN HIS CAREER THE CRITICS WILL COME DOWN ON HIM HARD.PRINCE IS A MUSICAL GENIUS AND HE MUST CAPTIVATE THAT IN HIS COMEBACK AFFORDS.HE NOW MUST FOCUS ON THE HIP-HOP WORLD IN AN AFFORD TO CAPTURE A TEENAGE AUDIENCE,BUT IN THE SAME VEIN AS HE DID THE RAINBOW CHILDREN.A PRINCE SOUND AND A TWIST OF HIP-HOP COULD BE AN EXPLOSION! THAT'S ONE MAN'S OPINION (LAX)

I'm not sure if Prince will be thinking of a teenage audience if he is planning to redefine himself on a commercial scale. There is a large music buying audience who are not teenagers out there I think that he can create alot of interest for. I don't honestly know if a teenage audience would be interested in Prince, they like younger pop stars who are incredibly naff who they look like, without any musical ability, I'm speaking from the UK regarding this by the way. I don't think they could relate to his music, and I certainly don't think it would be a good idea for Prince to try incorporating hip hop into his sound. Sorry to disagree with this suggestion! Prince needs to find an audience that will stick with him as well, teenage audiences tend to only be interested in someone for a short time these days.
Prince is a genius with combining rock with R&B/ Funk(anyone remember Purple Rain?) and a modern twist on this style would work I think, don't forget that rock music has become very popular again and R&B has been for a few years now. Blend the two together, add the genius of the Rainbow Children and he could be back in business.

Whatever Prince does this year will be interesting, but it will be incredibly disappointing if nothing comes of this Grammy appearance/ Purple Rain anniversary. I think this is probably the only opportunity he has of any new commercial success.