Steer clear of the music industry? Yes, I am all for the actions of being a revolutionary. Bravo, Prince.

However, scroll to the end of this web site and the radio station is a Clear Channel Communications station

Best way, I can describe it. Prince is the Muhammad Ali of the music biz. He is a genius who sticks and jabs and moves gracefully in and out of the fray at his own volition. Cool-zay!!!

what he SHOULD be saying is: don't make the mistake i made. READ the contract before you sign it.

As someone mentioned earlier, I feel better thinking that he meant to keep your spirtual life as a priority then making it into the industry.If that be the case, then thats already done. Its advise he's offering but it feels like its condescending in a way.
Nevertheless, Im almost over it.

SquarePeg said:

Hey, you'll get the fuck over it.

I think he's saying that artists have more options nowadays. You can self-distribute, make your own CDs, use the internet, promote yourself, etc. You don't have to be a slave to the system. I'm always seeing and reading interviews of musicians that hate dealing with record companies.

He's letting people know there are other options. It's probably not that clear since the article doesn't go into depth into what he means.

Anxiety said:

Yes, this was how I interpreted Prince's comments as well. Cherrie, if you have a dream of being in the arts field, then you should go for it, and not let anything stop it. You can make it happen!

CherrieMoonKisses said:

Cherrie luv, be mindful of your own thoughts. That condescension is just your perception getting in the way of the message Prince was trying to get across I mean, think about it...it was once his dream too right? so for him to have reached the pinnacle of what aspiring musicians/performers can reach in the industry and come from the mountaintop saying "be careful what you wish for" is a really selfless act. yeah, he was looking out for himself in getting out of his contract with WB, but what does he have to gain by taking every opportunity to warn folks about the way the industry pimps the artist?

CherrieMoonKisses said:

But what you must remember, for years musicians have been taken advantage of. Look back to the 50s. How many African American musicians were ripped off then. Nothing has changed and Usher makes less on his new album than Prince. Do the math, dear and then decide....my

He's Right. But it's Hard Without A Label. He's telling people to Market themselves and be INDEPENDENT but Artists Need The Help of The MAJORS actually in order to make it Big.

XxAxX said:

Thank you. If he advises folks to stay out of the music industry that's one thing. But anyone wanting to create music professionally, whether in the industry or not, had better know the music business side of it in and out, backwards and forwards.

madartista said:

- Hahah...please noooo!

Zelaira said:

- I agree. It´s easy to say ´don´t sign a contract´when you have more than 30 millions in the bank and already famous and respected.
I am only surprised how ´artists´ who are already millionaire and have a fanbase didn´t follow him. In this regard, Prince is indeed one of the few brave warriors.
[Edited 9/3/04 2:28am]

Prince wouldn't be where he is now without signing with WB in 1978. And Prince is still part of the same music industry, still playing the game. Hell, he is his own executive with his own record company doing good business with one of the majors. But he advises others to stay out of it??

No, that doesn't make sense.

He knows the aspirations of young artists out of his own experience. And he knows artists still need companies to become publicly known and make money.

So, instead of saying "Stay out of the music industry, stay out of the system" I think he could better say something along the lines of: "Know how to play the game, if you don't want to get played. Else it's better - financilaly and spiritually - to stay out of the system".

Or he could actually come up with an alternative for aspiring artists out there.

One more thing, ownership of "songs": Prince says: "I'm a writer. Stephen King is a writer. Can I take a page out of his book and call it Prince's Shining? Can I take a scene out of a movie and call it my own?"

Prince owns his songs, he just doesn't own the sound recordings of his songs. Like a book and a movie, a song is the underlying work of a sound recording. Both are works and both are copyrighted. Copyrights can be contractually transferred by the owner to somebody else.

If you don't want to do that: don't sign the contract.

"They say the law helps the writers. I don't need help; I don't need your money. Let us steward our own music."

I bet this is about compulsory licenses again...

GustavoRibas said:

Maybe they just don't see the need. Hey, they made and make money with the major labels, and probably don't care that much if they own the master recordings or not, receiving nice royalities anyway.

And they probably know that sooner or later they will get dropped and record for an independent label - but for now, the majors will still push them up the charts...

John Mayer said something similar to this in some article. Without the record label, he'd still be John singing in those clubs in Atlanta and so would India.Arie.

But at some point those artists (Like Prince, Fiona Apple, John Mayer) should eventually break off on their own and market themselves because record labels won't release music if it's not what they think the public wants to hear. Take Fiona, for instance. Her album has been shelved because the record label claims no songs on the album are radio-friendly.

Fiona could market herself -- she has a cult following (like Prince) and people would support her. She really doesn't need the record label. She could make a living on performing.

True artists usually care more about "their art" than money. But I know they want money, too. They have to live. But there has to be a way to get money without compromsing their "art". Fiona Apple shouldn't have to sing songs meant for Pink or B. Spears just because the record label wants a hit.

PRINCE isn't saying don't follow your dream. He is saying, if you want to be in this business, do it the right way cos so many people out there are seeing Pink and B. Spears and are saying, "Wow, I can do that and make a fast buck." No one wants to be the starving artist first. But to me, the artist with the longevity are the ones that don't compromise. It may take awhile to make millions, but in the end people will look back and say, "She's/He's clever..."

20 years from now, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Prince, Fiona Apple, John Mayer will still make music cos they are creators and as long as one has imagination and as long as one is not following a "fad" then he'll/she'll be around for a while. But as soon as Pink's music goes out of style, what is her record label going to do? Try to teach her how to play the piano??

JumpUpOnThe1 said:

This makes sense

Jamzone333 said:

As I responded in an orgnote that someone sent me over this...I understand all of this. I'm not entirely naive to what may occur once Im in the industry. I've had plenty of opportunites to go into the business and sign deals but what did I do, I decided to go to college to learn business so I can handle my business! Music is my life, and what I want for my career but Im not stupid enough not to get a degree just in case things dont work out.

Abrazo said:

You've said what I intended to say only better!

Ya'll...I believe what he is saying is this:

From second-hand experience, being in the music business there's a lot of pressure - drugs, sex, misleading mgmt, etc.

If those in the business don't have spirituality in their life, they fall right into that trap that Prince may have found himself in.

It's his personal life-lesson he's giving advice on, NOT an order (like previously mentioned). he wasn't saying "No one EVER get into the music industry EVER!"

All he is saying is get your soul in order first BEFORE you get into the business!!!

Anxiety said:

At least SOMEONE can understand what he's REALLY trying to convey.

Zelaira said:

:nods: and then help of the majors is really just code for $$$$$

CherrieMoonKisses said:

I hear that! Cheers for da advice P

jeanadams1965 said:

Noooo...he didnt say that. he said to stay away from the industry.

If you want to make it big then you HAVE to join a major label, but not necessarily.

Dave Matthews was pretty darn successful before he signed to a major. Of course he blew up once he did that but they didn't NEED a major label to be successful. Ani DiFranco is another one who plays to big crowds everywhere she goes. Very successful. Independent just like DMB was.

Of course you won't play to 20,000 people in one setting but that has it's drawbacks sometimes. (Like not always being able to play to that many people because of audience fickleness). So if you have the talent sidestep the majors. Of course Prince wouldn't be where he is today without them but he fought hard to get where he is today. Do you want to fight THAT hard? I doubt Prince would even do it knowing what he knows today. Then again he has done stranger things.

Hawking, Steven

CynicKill said:

I like your post.

i agree

Anxiety said:

LMAO. I don't understand the part about "the law helps the writers I don't need your help?" I really don't understand that.

What kind of spiritual life? Why does he have to be so self-righteous???? At least he is media savvy.

Moonwalkbjrain said:[quote]dude this is what he's sayin get str8 with god and then u can pull a MA$E duhhh!


WELCOME BAAAAACK![/quote


LMAO. http://www.sohh.com/thewi...entID=6185


Five

Lookit this article. Im upset that he's saying this since Im trying to be in the industry. It's hurtful, I understand he has been hurt by the industry but I dont understand why he would say this when getting in the industry (not particularly at this time) is all some people dream about. I love Prince, his music and stuff but this is really upsetting to me.

It's almost a cliche, but the truth hurts. Maybe what you should really do is what Prince is really telling you to do - don't get into this industry because you don't need this industry. You might not have millions of adoring fans for your preferred art form, and you may not even have a night club full of people. What Prince is trying to tell you is not to fall into the trap of thinking that you need to make it. If you're a true artist, you've already made it by virtue of recognizing that you're an artist. I could go on...