Prince is not fascinated with record sales and being number one. The reason he has done this is to send a clear strong message to the record industry that their business model is failing and they destined for very difficult times if they don't change. Prince is earning more from this deal than if he went down the traditional route and letting Sony BMG distribute his music. Music distribution is whole new ball game to what it was 5 years ago. There are 10% fewer CDs being sold in the UK compared to this time last year and the trend is likely grow.

This is Prince's way of giving them a slap in the face and telling them to wake up to the current situation they are facing.

sosgemini said:

[Edited 7/14/07 11:25am]

Loakum said:

how can the music sell on its own merits if hardly anyone gets to listen to it?
this is the way of getting people to listen and buy in on the total package
sales will follow, online purchases and otherwise

maceoparker007 said:

True, Prince has long been talking about the failures of the music industry. Everyone knows it's falling apart all over the place. Artists today can't rely on the industry to get their product sold and out to the masses. Artists need tour sponsors and clever marketing gimmicks. This is just another way of paving the way for artists and putting them back in control of their creations. For three albums now, Prince has tried three different ways of busting down the already crumbling walls of the music industry. More power to him! When the dust has settled and the smoke has cleared, then we will see the ultimate benefit, the ultimate good, of this all!

Snap said:

and while he is out there fighting the fight there are actual artist out there proving that there isn't even a fight to be had.

BlackAdder7 said:

so, should they then run a survey to find out who bought it and for what. a customers motivation to buy the paper is irrelevant, they are still buying the paper which is giving them a free CD. it is as plain and simple as that.

You could turn that on its head and say for some people they will be buying a CD with a free newspaper This will be especially true for people buying the CD/newspaper from HMV stores. I think its clear that the rules the Official Charts Company go by need to be modified. This is the first time an artist has distributed an album with a newspaper so it is new territory for all concerned.

dumbass said:

This is true. I guess Prince's history with record labels means he has something to prove. He is very protective of his music, his mentality is that if a company wants to make a big profit from his musical talent without getting an equal share he will challenge them. Thats just the nature of the guy, because he is a well established old artist (world famous) he can afford to risk his reputation and career, younger bands have less of fight because they have not gone through the same rollercoaster that Prince has over the years being used and abused by record labels.

He has seen what the record industry is all about and feels strongly about it, he's old enough to pick his own fights. if he wants to make a point let him, he has nothing to lose.

sosgemini said:[quote]

Snap said:

GustavoRibas said:

actually "Gold" was a big hit too , it might not have got to no .1 like TMBGITW
but it stayed in the UK Top 40 for 10 weeks I recall , a slow-burning hit you might say .

sosgemini said:

according to this article :
http://citybeat.com/2000-...over.shtml

Ani's first 13 albums have sold a total of 3 million . Maybe its easier for her to operate independently because major record companies arent interested in a star with such a small fanbase ? Prince however they know has the potential to sell 3-5 million albums a YEAR , big big difference !
[Edited 7/14/07 15:34pm]

Why is anybody surprised here? Didn't we do this dance a few years ago with Musicology and it being "given" away?

HAVING HEARD AND 'TURD' THE ALBUM.

Prince isn't fighting for (just) himself tho... He's making inroads for all of us artists who find it almost impossible to work with the way the music industry is right now. The kind of stuff he's been doing these past few years will be a big help toward ushering in the next music generation.

From 3121.com:
A spokesman said, "Prince feels that charts are just music industry constructions and have little or no relevance to fans or even artists today. Prince's only aim is to get music direct to those that want to hear it. Prince famously took a stand against Warner Records in the nineties when he went on strike and appeared with the word 'slave' drawn on his cheek. Subsequently, he regained control of the publishing rights to his work, and broke down the existing system through his innovation."

Prince, ever a creative genius and forward thinker by nature, has set a new standard with his latest plans in the UK for "Planet Earth." He continues to define on every level what it means to be an artist.

moonshine said:

Prince hasn't sold 3-5 million copies of an album since what...1991? Before you say Emancipation we know the Triple status wasn't true as they started showing up in dollar stores and it was only a total of a million copies. I believe only a few Prince albums have sold 5 million ever. Also you are quoting a 7 year old article and she has released about 10 albums and dozens of concert albums since then.

.
[Edited 7/14/07 22:10pm]

Savage said:

Hey Savage,

I just posted a comment, i think its a joke their not counting the paper sales in the charts!!!

But i don't think prince will be really that bothered coz he caused a stir and made people listen!!

Snap said:

which is all fine and dandy but totally unnessecary IMHO...expecially when other artist are reaching audiences and selling their albums without the aid of labels. these are the artist that are proving things can be done...but prince does it with pomp and circumstance because thats how he does things...cause he likes the attention. Now, if you replace the last word in that press release from artist to celebrity then i might agree the bs its feeding.

sosgemini said:

Are we talking about the same Prince here who has sold most of his 2000-2003 output either online only or, if via retail, on some obscure independent labels (TRC, anyone) with almost no promotion?

EmancipationLover said:

and who walked away from it by closing npgmc and has released his last three albums in partnership with major studios? why yes i am.

Snap said:

99.9% of all musicians have ALWAYS worked without ANY record label support.

BorisFishpaw said:

there won't be a lawsuit, this is just to make some noise

sosgemini said:

I'm fully aware of that, but sometimes I can't help myself but wonder about people not seeing the full picture (or not wanting to).

Whoever complains about Prince working with majors again, please remember 2000-2003.

Whoever complains about expensive concert tickets (3121 Las Vegas), please remember the Musicology tour. Actually, I bought concert tickets for my girlfriend and myself in London plus aftershow tickets, and one night in a f...ing London hotel will probably be more expensive than that.

etc.

All I want to say is: it's fine to criticize the little fellow, but a bit of positivity on a fan site here and there can't do harm either...

EmancipationLover said:

Exactly I see sosgemini has a lot of dislike in what Prince is doing and keep comparing him with the almighty ani difranco, amiee mann and sufjan stevens. I can't believe the criticism that constantly goes on by sosgemini. I would like 2 know what Prince did 2 him because he is forever comparing the likes of ani difranco with him 4 some odd reason

pennylover said:

prince has done nothing to me...just because i have a different opinion then you doesn't mean i have a vendetta against he, you or anyone else...because this is a website for discussion i am... :gasp: discussing my point of view...

and the reason why i am bringing up these other artist is not to put them on some sort of worshippe pedestal (because believe it or not i am not a big fan of sufjan's or difranco) is to share *my* opinion on this subject and provide information that i believe many here are unaware of...like ive repeatedly said, there are many others who have fought the studio system and whom are thriving...i don't consider prince's approach to be the first nor do i consider him to be the pioneer of this fight...other's on this website (because of their personal beliefs or because they are unaware of those other artist) disagree...

isn't it okay to share a differing opinion?

sosgemini said:

Of course not, where the hell did you think you were...the land of the free?

sosgemini said:

It's even very appreciated to hear a different point of view, but as you said, we're on a discussion board, and opinions will be discussed (which does not mean they're disrespected). I posted a while ago that I prefer "Emancipation" over "Parade", so I know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, as long as people don't state that Prince is the inventor of this whole anti-major-label stuff, I don't see the problem. He's just a very prolific and well known example of someone who decided to go different ways, and, no disrespect intended, listing Prince or George Michael as examples for popstars fighting labels might be a bit more impressive than Ani or whoever else, just because they're quite big names in pop. My choir distributes its CDs without record labels as well - should I claim we should be listed on these discussions?

EmancipationLover said:

i'm sorry but, there's a problem? and lets dispense with the hyperbole...

sosgemini said:

No, there is no problem, and maybe that's why I don't see it...

EmancipationLover said:

then why imply that i have a problem for simply sharing my take on things?

sosgemini said:

Sorry, but that was never my intention.

Edit: maybe this comment may have left the impression that you might have some objection concerning the way Prince handles his stuff:


[Edited 7/15/07 15:23pm]

sosgemini said:

good point!