I figure he is in a damn good spot right now for an artist whose been around since 1978. This year he launched himself into a position where his legend and greatness is no longer up for debate. He shut a lot of skeptics mouths and reminded the world that he is a unique talent. However, where would he be if the drama in the 90's hadn't happened?

Personally, especially after this year, I think it was all worth it. If Prince can stick it to the man, do things his own way, and then come back to silence the doubters, educate the unknowing, and still sell like crazy, he has won the war.

Probably not much different.

He still would have experienced a decline in quality and sales, and still would have had a 'come-back' sooner or later.

The music might have been different, we might not have had the whole JW thing, but who knows.

There would have been no Habibi. That alone would have saved us from lot.

Sony and WB, aren't they tight?

Much better. WB fucked him far less than most labels fuck artists. The only thing they really asked is that he waited a year between albums. Ironically, he's waited even longer than a year between full-length albums, since leaving WB. I think WB wanted to promote him. I think they wanted him to be a long-lasting "sensation." If Prince wouldn't a gotten all paranoid, The Gold Experience woulda been HUGE!

Changing his name to a symbol and calling himself a "slave?" Sickening. I'm a hardcore Prince fan and it makes me wanna vomit up my tuna salad. It's no wonder so many casual fans ditched him during his crazy phase.

Proof that Warner wanted what was best for him? Batman. It wasn't his best CD, but it was the soundtrack to one of the biggest event movies ever. They had plenty of hot (hotter?) artists in their stable and they went with Prince. I really think he messed up dissing them like he did.

And maybe SOMEONE at WB coulda convinced him that the poorly composed Xpectation and NEWS were the worst decisions in an artist's career.

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

I think that people just don't get that kind of stuff.

Most people couldn't give a crap about record deals/contracts/who owns what etc, most people only care about the music. This includes the media who are quick to portray people in a bad light and people ended up thinking he was more of a wierdo than before.

People lost interest during this time, and I'm sure it must have had an affect on his music and state of mind aswell.

Doing the "Chtterling Circuit"
Doing Gospel/Ghetto Plays "Mama! Where is my Lace blouse!"
and doing the old folks reunion tour. ha ha ha

Prince lost his way, as we all do from time to time... Fortunately we dont have the world spotlight on us when it happens...

Its no biggie really. But Im sure it has taken a lot out of him and I dont think he will ever capture the same inspired drive that he had back in the day.... But he would no doubt be the first to admit that (in private no doubt)....

I think Prince will never truly come into his own and get the praise he deserves until he opens himself and everything he has done to the world. When a true biography of his life and work is undertaken I think the 90's would be painted as a time where he was lost, fighting against everything and everyone and very unsure of what he stood for... I think the music tells that story too....

Unfortunately, Prince wont ever be "studied" and held in the highest esteem by the general establishment until he has passed on...

Only history will tell, but the 90's make a very interesting chapter in the life of a mysterious and misunderstood genius.

Maybe better, but definitely less interesting, contrevertial and liberating

Well Prince said himself that after he changed his name alot of things changed in his life.
Fuck all he wanted was his masters back.

I think his profile has only improved in the US due to the tour and his TV appearances this year. He's as obscure as ever here in the UK, Musicology came and went as quickly as the rest of his albums did for the last umpteen years.

i still get 'what the hell happened to Prince?' type comments whenever i mention him.

KatSkrizzle said:

cold-blooded!

Marrk said:

Don't you worry Mr. UK, one continent at a time. I bet the tour will be headed to Europe sometime soon.

Marrk said:

i always thought he was hotter overseas?

The JW thing seemed to come more as a result of his losing the baby and Mayte, moreso than his drama w/ Warners.

The music might have been different, we might not have had the whole JW thing, but who knows.[/quote]

I liked N.E.W.S. I thought it was adventurous, and daring. I don't know anything about XPectation. When did it come out?

>> NEWS were the worst decisions in an artist's career.

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

I know I did. But I keep watching and waiting, to see if he would get himself together. I treated the whole situation like a friend, who needs his "space". W/ the Musicology tour, and really, even the Hit N Run tour, I felt like I was visiting w/ an old friend, although that friend was markedly more happy and centered during the former visit, than during the latter.

>>People lost interest during this time, and I'm sure it must have had an affect on his music and state of mind aswell.[/quote]

Vasetshego said:

I liked N.E.W.S. I thought it was adventurous, and daring. I don't know anything about XPectation. When did it come out?

>> NEWS were the worst decisions in an artist's career.

N.E.W.S won a Grammy

Better Find Urself.

Question said:

Isn't this the instrumental album? Did he win for best instrumental?

prodigalfan said:

I could be wrong, but I think he won for biggest piece of shit. They had to censor the award for live TV. I believe it was, "greatest misfire."

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

prodigalfan said:

He didn't win it. It went to some Latin album or something.

skywalker said:

Oh I really hope so.... soon please! I can't wait to see John Bla.... erm I mean Prince... (actually I do mean Prince)!

I think it would have been cool if Prince had stayed with WB and also managed to release "uncommercial" albums independantly. That way he could have released as much material as he wanted to. I'm sure that something could have been worked out and as far as I'm concerned the whole deal with WB was Prince's fault and I think in the end he was the one who looked bad. Why does he have to be such a control freak?

he'd b the new P.Diddy.

He'd definately be featured on MTV Cribs.


"Yo, whazzup yall-- this is deluxe P247"

Question said:

46th Annual Grammy Nominations, 2003:

Best Pop Instrumental Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Peace
Jim Brickman
[Windham Hill]

Mambo Sinuendo
Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán
[Nonesuch/Perro Verde]

Wishes
Kenny G
[Arista Records]

N.E.W.S.
Prince
[NPG Records]

Night Divides The Day -The Music Of The Doors
George Winston
[RCA Victor]

-----

GRAMMY Winner Manuel Galbán & Ry Cooder (Artists)
Jerry Boys (Engineer/Mixer)
Ry Cooder (Producer)
Genre Pop
GRAMMY Category Best Pop Instrumental Album

Marrk said:

At least Musicology charted (#3) in the UK. NPS aside, his last album of new material to do that was Emancipation.