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Prince Advises Young People to Stay Away From Music Business

Prince has some strong advice for fans hoping to follow in his footsteps - stay out of the music industry and embark on a more spiritual life instead.

The "Purple Rain" rocker, who became a Jehovah's Witness four years ago, now has control of all of his own music following a much-publicized battle with Warner Brothers, and advises young aspiring musicians to steer clear of the "system."

He says, "Stay out of the music industry, stay out of the system. Be revolutionary."

"Some of these young kids say they want to follow me. Well, if you do, then get your spiritual life together if you want your relationships to go right, and it will happen."

He also advises musicians to strive for the musical independence that he has now achieved so they can own their own songs.

He adds, "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?"

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

*****

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.
[Edited 9/3/04 7:59am]

Prince Advises Young People to Stay Away From Music Business


Prince has some strong advice for fans hoping to follow in his footsteps - stay out of the music industry and embark on a more spiritual life instead.

The "Purple Rain" rocker, who became a Jehovah's Witness four years ago, now has control of all of his own music following a much-publicized battle with Warner Brothers, and advises young aspiring musicians to steer clear of the "system."

He says, "Stay out of the music industry, stay out of the system. Be revolutionary."

"Some of these young kids say they want to follow me. Well, if you do, then get your spiritual life together if you want your relationships to go right, and it will happen."

He also advises musicians to strive for the musical independence that he has now achieved so they can own their own songs.

He adds, "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?"

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

...stay outta the music biz, hmm? it ain't that easy--the music business is a necessary evil. ol' boy should know this his damned self.

Another thing...Im all about spirtuality and everything but it's my decision on how I chose to go about it in my lfie isnt it? Everyone is different and has a different way of dealing with the ways of this world. We each chose to have our own relationship with God the way we want. I cant undertsand why im getting this upset but I think it's mostly because being in the music business, entertainment, etc. is my career goal.

ooh, all of this is just so jive, but THIS RIGHT HERE:

Prince said:

I don't think he's advising young musicians against pursuing a career in music. I think he's saying not to get messed up with the music biz or major labels or any of that stuff. I think what he's saying is, instead of putting all the work in being accepted by the mainstream music industry, put that energy into spiritual convictions, and you'll wind up getting what you're looking for.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

OKAY?!?!?

this is almost worse than masterful baitery.

This is his ADVISE to others, not a COMMAND which you are REQUIRED to do. He's speaking to you from experience, telling you what he's learned, and giving you advise based on that. There is no need to feel threatened or offended when someone offers advise. Just listen to it, think about it, and follow it or not...

amyhr said:

sheeeeeit...pardon, but if he were speakin from experience here then he forgot a major factor: he was once a kid wantin to make it big as well. if he were to follow his own advice, chances are that we wouldn't be hearing from 'im.

x
[Edited 9/2/04 12:13pm]

amyhr said:

i agree. the "i don't need your money" part was kinda silly, and the spirituality-as-career-counselor part is kind of pie-in-the-sky (easy to say when you're on top of your game, really, isn't it?) but i DO believe there's an alternate path to success as an artist - especially NOW - than having to get on your knees for the major labels. it's an alternate reality and it ain't always pretty or glamorous, but that path is certainly out there for those who wanna take it.

CherrieMoonKisses said:

bull

But thanks for the laugh anyway, Prince! I needed that!

Sly said:[quote]

CherrieMoonKisses said:

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.

amyhr said:

I agree. All Prince can do is offer a bit of advice based on his own experience. I understand what he means though. So many people out there seek a lucrative career in music and list it as their top priority. Prince is saying that if we keep spiritual things first, everything else will fall in line.
And yes, Prince was once young and his top priority was to make it in the biz as well. But, things have certainly changed and he probably feels as though there are better routes for young ones to take than the route he took.
Cherrie; hold onto your dream, babe. We all have them.

Sly said:

You lost me.


S

Sly said:

stephen king wrote the book on which the film was based.

cherrie; your headline is TOTALLY fucking misleading

Sly said:

Kubrick directed the movie. Stephen King wrote the book.

CherrieMoonKisses said:

HE'S SOOOOO DYING FOR A REVOLUTION REUNION!!!

madartista said:

Cherrie, you're taking it far too personally. Forget your "feelings" for a moment and THINK about what's he's saying, and what he's not saying. If anyone knows how the music business works, how it's changed (deteriorated, i.e.) and what people might want to keep in mind about it before making a big mistake, it's Prince.

CherrieMoonKisses said:

Seesh, don't get upset over it. Its just one person's opinion on the matter. He's gone through what he feels is a bad/good rollercoaster ride with WB. Ppl have been WAY worse off then him, check out TLC's story or Toni Braxton. Nsync, Backstreet Boys were screwed over financially, its a doggie-dog business and in the long run you have to fight to get what you really deserve, either that or you can just take what they give you and be done with it like most artists do. I think Prince is only trying to warn ppl like you, not insult you. If you get into the music industry, know what other artists have struggled with in terms of their contract, finances and ownership. If it seems a battle you can deal with, good. But I guess the point is, "Know what you're getting into, before you get into it".

rudedog said:

Don't you mean dog-EAT-dog, my nizzle fo-shizzle chicken skrizzle?

OdysseyMiles said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

CherrieMoonKisses said:

Nor do I. You're interpreting it the wrong way, although I think Prince could have explained his position better, but following his career we know what he means. But why take what's coming out of his mouth so personally? He's not responsible for your life, and you're not responsible for doing as Prince says. Get past that. Take into account that like many businesses the music industry is cut throat, and you have to learn from other people's mistakes.

Hotlegs said:

Hey, it's an oft-misquoted expression. Couldn't resist.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

-----
You are missing the whole point .

laurarichardson said:

the point ain't there, thanx to the jive-assery.

dude this is what he's sayin get str8 with god and then u can pull a MA$E duhhh!


WELCOME BAAAAACK!

SnowQueen said:

I think it's more like "I don't need your money anymore" 100Mil this year = doing pretty f-ing good.

I think this is some excellent advice, but I'd have to liken it all to the "let's vote for Nader mentality." Its not quite that bad off, we are close to change, but its still a while away. I think once the internet becomes more ingrained in peoples daily lives (broadband) and there are more mainstream quality sites that cater to the serious independent artists, things will change. But right now its a matter of bandwidth and organization.

An independent artist (millions of them btw) would be hard pressed to get any actual radio play considering that they are all owned by the major labels. How the hell did that happen... oh yea in the 50's - The bribers bought the bribed.

The internet is the only hope for those artists staying true to themselves. Stay true and hold on to what is rightfully yours. If you create for the sole purpose of becoming famous or becoming rich then I would say you are doing it for the wrong reasons. Call it spirituality, call it artistic integrity, however you like to rationalize it. I think that's what Prince was trying to say.