Reading some of the early projections regarding record sales, I started to realize how business savy Prince really is! Sure, I know there would be many statements to the contrary (how he runs the music club, etc). But, if you really think about it, the man has had some pretty ingenuis ideas when it comes to agressively marketing and selling his product!

Take "Musiclogy" for example. He was able to incorporate concert "giveaways" of his CD into the overall sales...which enabled him to have a sucessful run. Now, with "3121", he's thought of another way to spark sales...by way of the "Purple Ticket" promotion. And, if you've read any of the posting on this site, you'll see that many have bought multiple copies basically just to feel part of the "process" of winning the contest. I myself bought (2)...for no real tangible reason. And, I have a feeling that even the casual fans have been doing the same...

Say what you want about the music on "3121"(I think it's his best in many years), but you can't deny the smarts associated with the business end of this release. That part of it my friends, is classic Prince!!

Just my 2 cents.

Strike

Totally agree, Prince is underrated as a businessman. Even back when he bought the land for Paisley Park, they thought he was mad, going to build his own Graceland money pit. But I'm sure I heard he bought it with help from local government development loans, and he certainly has made use of it.

Compare him to Michael Jackson, who has simply handed his business over on a plate to a series of managers, lawyers and accountants who have bled him dry. With Prince, you always get the feeling he is involved in every business decision and pushing his people to get the best deals. Arguably no pop star is in such charge of his empire, maybe David Bowie and Madonna and a few others.

i think excessive wealth is ugly
and i dont see how its smart to suck money from people
when you already have enough

metaphysics proved years ago
that magnetism works

people who are truly attracted to your vibe and music will come get it

no need for marketing hype - otherwise known as sophistry

$70,000/month RENT...

'nuff said

BTW, if a divorce with Mani is around the corner (and I ain't one to
start no rumors, I'm jus sayin') then paying rent instead of buying
was one SMART move.

I do agree those were creative ways to package his music lately, however,
there are FAR more examples out there of how his business decisions
have cost him fans and money.

Revolution said:

An example?

I dont know why he leased the house in LA

he is paying 70k /month that is 840k /yr

boozer bought it last yr for 8.5mil

he should have bought it

That doesnt make much sense to me

Revolution said:

Renting out the place you're going to use for party central is the move, anyway. I mean...I'd do it.

ThirdStrike said:

An obvious one is his lack of desire to release his vaulted music and videos.
He's sitting on a GOLDMINE for which WE, the fans, are willing to pay him
directly (opposed to paying the 'leggers)...you know, WHILE WE'RE STILL YOUNG!

(or, as ISTENSCAK (sp?) said on another post "while someone still cares")

FruitToAttractBears said:

That whole situation is some funny shit! Rippin' out walls to install
plumbing for his 'beauty salon'...only Prince!

Revolution said:

Yeah I was LMAO. It's endearing to me.

Monogrammed carpet...*snicker*...

FruitToAttractBears said:

It is endearing, isn't it? Kinda like that retarded kid who spills
juice on your floor...you can't get mad at him because, well, you
know how he is...

Revolution said:

It's even funnier if he spills juice on the floor on PURPOSE 'cause he just don't give a damn. I'd be like "Right,on kid! You one badass lil dude!"

Unless of course...it was my floor.
[Edited 3/22/06 15:04pm]

Revolution said:

that shit was classic...i was like "gotDAMN, that's so prince."

FruitToAttractBears said:

i can see 'im doing something like that too...

Revolution said:

What I find ironic about this point is that it goes against the very thing most Prince fans like about him as an artist. And, that is, the arrogance of his persona, and how that distinction seperates him from other artists. I mean, we all (secretly at least) love the fact that he believes himself better them most musicians...past or present...and how he doesn't follow "trends", but rather sets them to be followed by others. Again, it's the very thing that allows us to make the argument supporting his status of relevance in todays' musical climate. But, we also hypocritically expect him to cater to our wants and musical needs. Him not doing so would somehow be deemed "selfish" by people like yourself. If you think about it though...we can't have it both ways...and we shouldn't expect to.

Sure, I'd love to have access to his entire vault of music. And, I'd be standing in line with $$ in my hand like the rest of us to do so. But, I wouldn't have any right to complain if that wasn't the case. It's his art, not ours. When (or if) he chooses to share it with us, we should be grateful and honored...not expectant.

Just my 2 cents.

Strike

Revolution said:

No.
I hope and will be happy if he doesent pump out more of these "compilations" nobody needs. I hope he understood: If he makes a GREAT Album (not outtake compilations) every 1,5 years, he will stay important in pop business a long time...
I want a contemporary prince style. I want him to push his music forward with cool songs and his unique style. like he did in the 80ies. And like (i hope) he will do from 3121 on...

A smart businessman would have released a DVD of the "Musicology" tour within a year of it ending

He's a hypocrite, if you ask me...