Do you think Prince wants us to like the new stuff that he puts out? I know it sounds kinda silly but if you think about it and he hears fans critizing a song or album does that bother him? Or do you think he is like "idiots they just don't understand my art. That was brilliant!" He still seems to feel that way about Graffiti Bridge(the movie) he even compared it to the Wizard of Oz!

He has stated more than once that he doesn't care...which includes a brash statement that he no longer wants or needs anymore fans (a nice slap in the face, if you ask me).
He's only interested in putting out what he wants to hear and what he thinks we should be hearing from him.
For example...
Musicology was an okay album...but far from being one of his best.
The Rainbow Children...well...I call it The Rainbow Fiasco...cuz it was complete sh*t.
Dirty Mind was pure genius.
He's taken his "emancipation" to new levels of egotism.
But hey...that's just my opinion...

Prince stopped caring about if his fans liked his music in 1985.

Thankfully no. Whenever Prince worries about fame, money, or his fans the end result gets watered down. If he was worrried about fan reaction he would not push himself to further levels of brilliance like The Rainbow Children.

I think Prince goes his own way, and only his own way.
Therefor he is so unique. other good artists want to keep their fans and then they become mainstream at the end. I will not mention names, but there are quite a few!!!!!
Prince always surprises,sometimes better then other times, but he surprises!

paintsprayer said:

I agree with this statement. The number one problem with artists who had banging original first albums have terrible second albums simply because they were "trying to please" their audience the second time around by doing the same thing they did the first time around.

In my opinion, I feel that when you don't worry about other people's opinions or tastes and just be urself, you get positive and enriching results.

paintsprayer said:

Amen....someone who gets IT!!!!!

I think he just makes music that he likes. His fan base is so diverse that it would be impossible to please ALL of us ALL the time. So he does what pleases him and is happy when it pleases someone else. (Just my guess).