GottaLetitgo said:

- This posts has some good points. But Prince is doing just fine as I see it. I would be jumping up and down if I was an industry veteran of almost 30 years and still cranking out Top 10 albums. I would be jumping up and down if I managed to nab #1 without radio play. I would be jumping up and down if I had fans that cross into 3 generations. I think in the end, we are the ones disappointed.

But to your point - I think the marketing is aimed at several markets and that may be the problem. The first single was released to AC and the "35 and older" outlets, the second single was released to pop, urban, and AC. But LIKE Sting and Eric Clapton, the singles rarely are going to break the Top 10. So I agree that the market is fragmented if that's what you're implying. It's important that we base some opinions on fact and the fact is Sting and Eric's last album did not burn up the charts. in addition, there is still plenty of ways to get this album going (for those that are never impressed by Prince's ability to have a career longer than some people have been alive) to include award shows, additonal singles, and of course touring. But in IMO, we should just relax and enjoy this man's music hopefully for many years to come! His catelog speaks for itself.

largest DROP

Imago said:

No details were announced for this deal but I'd expect Prince to get a much bigger share than normal for other artists, except perhaps not as large as what he was making selling cds only through his site.

The bulk of his 2004 money, he made from touring.

it took a long while for 1999 to climb up the charts
but don't forget -- it was on the charts for almost 3 years straight
3121 needs to get heard! some how, some way

I don't know what it is about the internet era where people expect instant success or instant failure. 3121 just came out a couple of weeks ago, so it's too early to attack Prince for lack of promotion or sabatoging the project. If months go by with no new single, tour or TV appearances, then yes, Prince didn't do everything he could have or should have done to promote the project, but it's simply too early to tell. Keep in mind all the fanboy howling against Prince possibly appearing on AI (a smart promotional move IMHO) as "selling out". No matter what Prince does a lot of people will be saying he's doing the wrong thing, either not doing enough or being overexposed. Let's wait and see what unfolds.

purplecam said:

yeah no interviews whatsoever

Prince is just waiting for the divorce to come thru. He doesn't wanna give that bitch too much. A week from now, when the ink's dry, he'll start promoting like a true mutha-fucka and pull out all the stops. They've got Universals top divorce lawyer on the case! Mani will only get half of the first 2 weeks sales then she's out of the picture and it's all his! Then he can buy the 3121 mansion and let those twins start blowing him in public (they've had to keep it in the quiet til now).
Once he doesn't have to give here half, the promotion will start in earnest: all the late nite tv shows, the tour, the works!...

If only there really WAS a reason...

Spanky said:

I agree,"Black Sweat" deserves to be a hit.

whats wrong with #8?

Its still selling (damn) pretty good for an album in which prince hasn't promoted with tv performances yet.

The album will go up and down the charts for a good length of time.
prince has a plan ....stay tuned!

KrystleEyes said:

whaaaa?

This baffles me because Black Sweat should be a hit!
Because any song now-a-days can be a hit on radio.
There's so many sucky songs on radio.
Pink's latest single sucks balls big time!
Pussycat dolls latest single isn't all that great!
Kelly Clarkston also has a single out now, which isn't all that great upon first listen.

But its all about promotion and getting the single played enough to get a hit!
I know alot of non-prince fans who actually love "BLACK SWEAT", they would tell me the BIG Prince Fan, I saw your boys video on MTV and even thou I never got into his music, I'm digging that song.

The Song is an instant hit!
It has fire and its definitely what the industry needs now!
Its something refreshing and daring at the same time.
I am a DJ, I've worked in radio for awhile now and I know for a fact that this song could fit into hip hop & pop top 40 formats, but the fact is Prince took the industry head on a few years back and dissed everyone.

So now their not trying to hear him and give him a chance.
They've pretty much black balled him.
Most radio programmers hate PRINCE for some reason.
Universal and other major labels know Prince's talent and are aware of his potential even after all the backlash towards record companies.
They know PRINCE can still sell records thats why they sign him up for 1 album deals.

Prince's Black Sweat should have been a hit!!!
In Prince's mind, its already a hit, It was #1 on Itunes and #1 on Billboard Top 100 single sales...So he's not worried about the song at this point!!!
No doubt. The album is awesome and is pure pop!!!

It wasn't a bad choice for a single...I honestly feel Prince will never have a place in mainstream radio again,because ppl dislike what he stands for and they figure, he's already established, has a wide fan base and still sells out concerts and can sell a good million records each time. He won't be hurting without us!

Thats how they think!
I've talked with many dj's and pd's in the radio industry and they all have had alot of negative things to say about him. Not so much his music, but him as a person and the bottom line is they absolutely hate PRINCE with a passion!

Thats why they can get on the air and say...he's got a number one album...congrads and then play "when doves cry" or "rasberry beret", instead of keeping the interest going and playing his newer material.

Te Amo Corazon should have impacted r&b adult and jazz stations like fire and they didn't even want to give him a chance.

I would like to know the idiot who decides Prince's new videos only get play for 2 months on mtv and thats it!
Whose this guy???

NPD313 said:

this is what happens when you burn too many of your bridges.

JugHead said:

The man has made 50+million $$ last year - mainly on his concerts. I am sure he knows when he needs to do the promo thing.

And - remember - he really is not keen on promoting anyway, the shy little Moutha...

I agree with anyone who echos this statement...
"Prince sabotages his own album's 'pop' appeal with mis-timed releases, insufficent radio push and bad choices of singles/videos when they are released.

Don't get me wrong... I do beleive that its more about the music than it is about being a 'pop' star; but it would be nice to see someone else bobbing thier head next to you on the bus stop jamming to a Prince tune in thier Ipod as well..

NPD313 said:

it's amazing how the radio programmers and program directors can make up these decisions without any regard to the listening public. i mean it's a business and you'd think they'd get over their shit when it comes to money but what do i know? what i do know is that i'm not wasting my time listening to the bullshit they call music on that shit they call radio.

i'm glad 3121 is still at the top 10. i've gone to a few record stores last week and i could see that it was selling well so i had a good feeling about this. i just wish prince gave a damn. but the project is still new so maybe he's preparing for a tv onslaught in late april/may. i sure hope so since may sweeps will be coming. we'll see.