leecaldon said:

While IIWYG wasn't a great choice for pop radio, it wouldn't have been wise to use Housequake, either. Not because it isn't a great song BUT because numerous radio stations in key markets had already been playing HQ as an album track and it was felt, by the time it came to choose a 2nd single, to already be burning out. So since it got great radio play early and on it's own, they moved on to something else. If they'd gone with U Got The Look 2nd and IIWYG as 3rd, it may have worked with the right video.

Best - opening the vault and releasing Crystal Ball
Worst - crap editing and song selection on Crystal Ball

FunkiestOne said:

Agreed.

jtfolden said:

That sounds more on target.

SoulAlive said:

ok.. *takes deep breathe here* .. I understand what you're saying, but Im in heavy denial here.. I was never one for that 'Men are from Mars/Women from Venus' thing, but.. Prince was talking HEAVY Venucian in this song (.. female languo)..so.. every female should have ran out and bought this album hands down ..

sosgemini said:

I meant the whole project didnt fall through and he made a decision to let it go (why did he let go of Tamar?) and we dont know what happened there .. Would have been nice to see Tamar w/Prince.

Flowerz said:

You mean the whole project DID fall through.
[Edited 4/13/07 17:10pm]

Best Move - Purple rain

Worst Move - UTCM and the "Win a Date with Prince" nonsense. I was so embarrassed watching that. This is f-n Prince, a man Rolling Stone called one of the most influential artists of the 80s. And he's doing a win-a-date contest?

P2daP said:

Right, what can be used to his advantage but, is a problem to alot of fans at times is the fact that Prince is able to do what ever he want, now. I can only guess that from time to time that could be a problem to Prince. Prince releasing the Crystal Ball was just of statement. He could have release a series of sequels to that album over the years and made a huge amount of cash but, it's not about that at times with Prince. According to Prince, he was able to make more money online than when he was with Warner Bros. That's because he's free and I think Prince want to keep it that way until the end. He can quickly announce Crystal Ball 2 and let to countdown began. He always want to do something a little different everytime an album is done. Prince don't care about sells to much, he's interested in creating different views of his music. We saw what he can do during the 80's, we saw the death of Prince and recreating himself in the 90's, and after we saw the rebirth of Prince. Now, where do u go from here? We'll have to wait and see what's next.
[Edited 4/13/07 12:41pm]
[Edited 4/13/07 12:41pm]

sms130 said:

Of course he cares about sales... the majority of his releases have been geared towards that very purpose. He went around talking about being #1 at the bank, and how much more he makes selling them independently, etc...

Releasing the Cinnamon Girl video was the worst business mistake that I can currently recall. Personally, I loved the video, and the song is cool. However, I feel that it alienated some of the more politically timid members of the media, and subsequently it hurt radio and video airplay for the song. To some extent, this backlash may still be affecting him as far as getting airplay for his new music is concerned.

uPtoWnNY said:

hehe I remember that.. I still remember the chick that won and what she looked like and Jerome went on that date too.. she said Prince didnt talk.. that Jerome did much of the conversating lol

jtfolden said:

He does care about sells but at the end of the day, it's about the creation (his music). It's about the fact that a few years ago Prince was able to release albums online from his music club on his own label and release an album on a major label (still sell that album online as well). Look at what was released in 2004. It's about his music, his freedom, and the opinion of doing whatever he want to do.

Yeahh He had a raPPer Rhyme the WoRd ..Simpleton. U KnOw mY, nAmE is P..

sms130 said:

Agree with you again here. Prince cares about recored sales. But what Prince has been doing the past several years is trying to find new ways for artist's to sell albums. With doing so he has taken some hit in the sales department. Since what he was trying was so new. He's also had great sucess recently in 2004 when he included the cd with the Musicology tour ticket.

There are way too many to even mention. I would have to hire someone do data entry to replay to this post seriously. This doesn't mean that he hasn't made some very good business decisions during this career or that he isn't a complete musical genius. It just means that sometimes genius doesn't equal great business man. Look at Madonna. There is someone who knew how to work the business side of her career, though that is the exception not the rule.

To give a few examples of poor business decisions or those that were not well thought out.....

The NPG Music Club, Internet Only Music Release followed by retail release (poor customer service from the web site), Name changes and unpronounceable symbols (Prince IS a brand name and to try to change that was really stupid), Entire CD that has a one track sequence (Lovesexy), Trying to control ownership rights to his music (Most Besutiful Girl In The World) while releasing album after album of hit-or-miss music for Warner Bros. (major quality control issues), Emancipation (too much of a personal expression that the public never understood because it was percieved as being silly - SLAVE and contracts), etc etc etc etc etc etc

sms130 said:

It's funny you say that at the end of the day it's all about creation and then go on to highlight all the methods he's used to make more money for himself.

jtfolden said:

Prince has led the always delicate dance of art and commerce with the spirit of a true outsider and with enormous integrity. Without making money he would not exist or be competitive in a cutthroat and fickle industry. Every financial success leads to more of an opportunity to conduct his art on a very large scale and affect the most people. This is especially true in an industry that has been historically horrific to African-American artists. The starving artist is such a romantic image.

Here are some examples of P's integrity:

* Demanding Full control as a 19 year old industry neophyte
* The possible career threatening release of Dirty Mind
* Releasing 1999 as a double album after the disappointing sales of his earlier albums
* LoveSexy - Cover banned at WalMart and continuous play concept ridiculed
* Leaving WB making statement for artists rights, Internet Pioneer
* Label Independence
* Statements against Clear Channel (Musicology was handled by a competitor)
* Refusal to let music co-opted commercially by excessive advertising, mainstream hollywood, etc.

Prince's instincts are revolutionary compared to any artist of his superstar stature.

jdcxc said:

Yeah, yeah, tell me stuff I don't know... the point is, as originally indicated, the man cares VERY much about making money. That doesn't mean he isn't creative but for someone to say "he doesn't care too much" about it, is deluding themselves.

When will we be paid for the work we've done
Don't play me

best - Lovesexy era
Worst - TRC

Prince has made some smart and some dumb moves. I think both stem from his persona, which is so creative and controlling that - when directed positively and freely it can bring out the best in the man, but when it's the other way around he can be the worst too.

jtfolden said:

jdcxc said:

i totally was thinkin...ohh... i best go to sleep...im punch drunk...

uPtoWnNY said:

Yeah,I remember how embarassing that was Prince was obviously trying to show a softer,gentler side of his personality but for longtime fans (those of us who were fans in the Dirty Mind and Controversy eras),it was strange to see him hanging out in Wyoming (!!),doing a win-a-date contest?!

I also think he knew that 'UTCM' would bomb,so he was trying his best to whip up interest in it.

sosgemini said:

You're holding back a comment? Where's the real Nicholas and what have you don with him?

Best: Was responsible with some of the successful proteges included The Time and Vanity 6
Worst: Feuding with W&B

musicology tour was the best,chaos and disorder was a dis by the wb