http://theedge.bostonhera...leid=39558

The FleetCenter will be jammin' again next week. But unlike the Democratic National Convention, the arrival of Prince won't shut down the city - and it'll be fun and funky, too.

Riding a wave that began with his Grammy duet with Beyonce and continued with his performance at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the release of his best - and best-selling - album in a decade, Prince brings his 2004ever Tour to Boston Tuesday through Thursday for three nearly sold-out shows.

Not as reclusive at 46 as he's been through most of his 25-year career, Prince agreed to an interview: by e-mail. Here are his responses - complete and unedited, with Prince-ly spellings unchanged - to 10 questions, and the one question he chose not to answer.

HERALD: Your tour and ``Musicology'' CD are exciting fans and critics more than your other projects of the last few years. Did you miss the love? And is it that much sweeter for you now?

PRINCE: Contrary 2 rumor: we've never stopped touring! The love is never-ending and truly a blessing from the Most High.

BH: You've said this tour will be the last time you will perform many of your big hits. Why stop performing songs people enjoy so much?

P: The problem arose every tour 4 the past 5 years, which songs NOT 2 play. There is never enuff time in the concert 2 play everything people wanna hear so we HAVE 2 retire a good portion of them 2 allow rselves room 4 growth. New music pours out of musicians who love playing with each other. The future will prove far more interesting and challenging if we continue 2 create and play NEW music.

BH: Some folks might say you alienated fans when you changed your name to a symbol and became The Artist. Any regrets?

P:A very necessary move 2 get released from a restrictive, one-sided contract that allowed Time-Warner 2 own my future recordings. No regrets whatsoever. Ask another artist if perhaps they would do the same if they could make 8 times the amount they r currently making on each album as well as OWN all their productions.

BH: You're one artist working to change the practices of the music business. Are you disappointed that so many artists continue to submit to music industry control of their work?

P:Actually, it makes sense that artists 2day stay shackled 2 the majors. There r not alot of serious singer-songwriters who plan on having long careers in music. Most artists 2day get in2 the game 4 fame and wealth. They along with their music is disposable. The majors love this. It saves them the task of paying the artist fairly 4 his/her work.

BH: Are you hoping younger performers will make their own break for freedom by adopting some of your innovations, such as selling ``Musicology'' on your own by including it in the price of a concert ticket? Are you looking to be a role-model in reshaping a dysfunctional music business?

P:The music business as we know it is over. Artists 2day can record their own CDs in their own studios, create their artwork themselves and if they desire - hire distributors 2 place the music. In this scenario, who should own the masters? Simple - the creator. 4 awhile there will b 2 choices: Freedom or the `old way.' The artists who really matter will choose the 4mer. i.e.: Ani Difranco.

BH: Does it seem to you that we're living in a time when hype and manufactured sounds get more attention than talent, musicianship and soul?

P:We live in a fast-food society. The music u hear nowadays reflects that. The audience is catching up tho. In reality there r many people who r sophisticated enuff 2 know better and that is what makes up 95% of r audience. If we continue 2 challenge them, then they will grow with us. One gets the audience one deserves.

BH: Several songs on ``Musicology'' make pointed topical commentary. Would you like to see a rebirth of the protest song?

P: Protest songs...how great would that b right now? Altho everyone is afraid of getting `Dixie-Chicked'. Bring back The Staple Singers! Their songs r still very relevant 2day.

BH: Bush or Kerry? Or do you maintain, as you say in your song ``Dear Mr. Man,'' ``Ain't no sense in voting''?

(No response.)

BH: Your thoughts about Bill Cosby's remarks about African-American youth? Do you think the black community needs to take more responsibility for its problems?

P:All parents - no matter what race - need 2 take responsibility 4 their offspring. Coming up, we knew discipline. We had 2 worship on the sabbath and respect authority. Without that, kids have no boundaries. It's no wonder society is in the state it is in. In truth, as a people, we have 2 get back 2 God. In ALL things.

BH: Do you feel more comfortable with the media, with your celebrity and with your own self as you've gotten older?

P:The media, eye think has grown more com4table with me. They can now C the things we predicted would occur r now coming 2 fruition. Those who were smart enuff 2 abandon the sinking ship of the music industry r reaping the benefits now. Remember, it was not designed 2 leave the artist anything other than a unrecouped royalty statement. (laughs).

BH: Your album and tour are sure to be remembered as highlights of the entertainment year. Do you feel a sense of vindication?

P: Vindication is not a word we use. We knew this time frame would b good 4 us. We work very hard - always! Hard work pays off in the end. Thank God we r just beginning

So Prince wont be voting then

i just love him

"Ain't no sense in voting. Same song with a different name."

God's Kingdom is the only solution.
[This message was edited Fri Aug 13 8:23:49 2004 by NewSystem]

Maybe we should write a letter!

Voting for Bush or Kerry? Legally, can he? What country does Prince live in these days? I'm confused. Maybe he is too. We don't live in a theocracy yet -- do your thing and vote, y'all.

Notice his remarks about worshipping on the sabbath when he was a kid? He grew up in the 7th Day Adventist Church who believe the sabbath is on Saturday and we should only gather together to worship on Saturday (and if you worship on "sun"-day you're actually worshipping the beast!). I guess he didn't stray too far by going from one legalistic church to another, the "Jesus died on a stick!" JWs.

apple2 said:

He may be voting He just couldn't think of a way to spin that lyric into something other than apathy. But as soon as he does he'll say it every interview!

Mazerati said:

Does Prince have a problem with spelling? I don't mean 2 sound like a jerk, but this # stuff is getting old. What's he trying 2 prove?

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

Snap said:

-----
I think he is refering to the black community as whole. Back in the day your parents set the tone in the household. You went to church reguardless if you wanted to or not. You did what your parents told you to do. That is missing today. If does not matter if you went on Sunday or Saturday.
You had order.

sloopydrew4u said:

-----
He has been doing this for over 25 years. I think it is just is thing.

this is why I worship at the shrine-o'-Prince

I'm grateful to Prince for NOT answering the "Kerry or Bush" question, because so many of us allow ourselves to live such Prince-centered lives that his personal preference for President might, by default, then become the choice for some of us. And voting the way your musical hero votes for that reason alone, is...I'm sorry...a joke.

A lot has been going down with musicians and politics as of late. You've got musicians alienating their fans into two camps because they're mixing their politics TOO heavily with their craft (think Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen). And while Springsteen probably writes a better political song than Prince, sometimes I think I prefer the way Prince does it -- he includes socially topical and political references in his songs so that they reflect a point of view that is of this world, but he chooses to NOT allign himself in such a way as to alienate any of his fanbase. He wants to be an enlightening musician and entertainer, but he remains an entertainer.

For that, I say: BRAVO, PRINCE!

Keith/Kacey

Snap said:

[quote][list][b]


Prince lives in Toronto. A very wealthy part of Toronto. I guess he would still have american citizenship, i suppose duel citizenship for both countries.
Great interview!!

Eye want 2 tell U that when Prince types, he probably has a special keyboard that has special keys made for 2, U, R, Eye, etc. Sometimes eye even catch myself doing it. I remember a girl after the concert last night saying "He ain't even play "Nikki"". At that time it was clear to me that a lot of people came out to see this tour because of the hits. Hopefully some of those fans will gain a greater appreciation for real music by real musicians. Although it is hard to deny the natural talent of Milli Vanilli.

sloopydrew4u said:

No offence, but you DO sound like a jerk, look at how you spelled your own reply and forum name ... geez.


[This message was edited Sun Aug 15 14:07:33 2004 by SunDance]

P said:

Ownership isn't all about making more money and what about artists who are just starting out? They too make "8 times the amount they r currently making on each album" when they want to own their masters and thus get no record deal at all?

P:

Well, that's a pretty good obversation i would say, but what about the artists who are just starting out P? They don't get that same contract you got in 1978, so how are they going to get promoted? how are they going to sell? By owning their masters? If you don't sell, then you can own whatever you desire, but it won't make you anymore money.



But Ani busted her ass off for decades. You are suggesting that the artists who are just starting out do the same?


--
[This message was edited Sun Aug 15 17:27:22 2004 by Abrazo]

Snap said:

Actually, there is no restriction on coming together to worship on any day of the week.
The Sabbath is and always has been the 7th day. However, from a biblical perspctive, only part of what we call Saturday can be correctly recognized as included within the Sabbath because the Sabbath begins at sun-down on what know as Friday and ends at sun-down on "Saturday". The Bible doesn't count days in the same manner as we generally do today.
Also, if one simply takes a look at what the criteria and requirements were for observing the Sabbath according to scripture, you will find that it says nothing about coming together for a worship service of any kind. The following of the given criteria was (is) worship in itself. "Obediance is better than sacrifice."

is it me or did he 4get 2 spell... that's not how HE writes

pkidwell said:

?