From 2day's metro section of the Mpls. Star Tribune.



People: Prince has deal with Arista



Prince has found a new home. After years of railing against major record labels, he signed a deal with Arista Records to release his new album, "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," in November. Arista will handle
the distribution and marketing while Prince has total artistic control over
the album, which features guests Sheryl Crow, Ani DiFranco,
No Doubt's Gwen Stefani, Public Enemy's Chuck D and saxophonist Maceo Parker.



"The problems I had with the so-called majors [labels] were regarding ownership and long-term contracts," Prince said in a statement. "Both of these problems are nonexistent with this agreement."



Since 1996 Prince has released records on his own NPG label; the new
album will carry the NPG imprint. Prince had been on Warner Bros.
from 1977 until 1995. His 1995 "Emancipation" album was distributed
by EMI, a major label. No information was available about whether
Prince's agreement with Arista extends beyond the new album.
Prince will release a single, "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold," in
September.



-- Jon Bream