This is an online interview where P thanks the bootleggers... scroll down to the bold part







Prolific NPG recording artist Prince interacted with AOL members on June 8. The artist recently reclaimed his name after using a symbol to protest questionable music industry practices. He answered questions about his newest work, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, the opening of his Paisley Park studios to the public, and more! Check it out below!

Scroll down to read the full transcript...
***

AOLiveMC22: Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for being so patient. At this time I would like to welcome PRINCE! Good evening, and thanks for joining us.

Prince: Whazzup, everybody? Sorry eye am late. Eye don't believe in dates.

AOLiveMC22: Well, we're just glad you made it. Well, I have to tell you that you've got thousands of eager fans here waiting to ask you questions, so if you're ready, let's get right to it.

Prince: Ready!

AOLiveMC22: And the first question is...

Question: So Prince, how are you liking your freedom? It’s been a long time coming.

Prince: Like sunshine 2 a flower.

Question: What made you decide to open up your studio to the public?

Prince: The spirit moved me 2 allow the many celebrations that usually occur all over the world 2 happen in my own backyard... and eye have a lot of ?'s 2 ask my "fams." 1 -- what kinda record u'all want next?!

AOLiveMC22: This Prince fan has this to ask...

Question: Do you plan to tour the USA all summer? How many shows will there be scheduled and what is the song lineup like?

Prince: A greatest hits show is what we have planned 4 Tuesday with many surprises! Eye am gonna take time off 2 study!

AOLiveMC22: One of our audience members asks...

Question: What do you feel we need to teach our children in schools?

Prince: That they r one people from one God, the Father of Jesus Christ. There seems 2 b nothing that unites children of... with positive nature.

Question: What are your thoughts on today's music scene, especially the way commercial pop has enjoyed such success?

Prince: Music is going thru the S.O.S syndrome: Same Ole S***! Record companies run everything music. They program us with their choices, which usually means the fools with long-term contracts!

AOLiveMC22: I understand that you've got a new seven-CD collection out. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Prince: Not out yet, still working on it. It features samples from some of my most popular tunes. 4 a one-time license fee, u can sample 2 ur heart's delight. Eye 2 have every hit at the Source Awards! LOL hope.

Question: Where is your new production studio, and what artists are you working with?

Prince: Paisley Park is in Chanhassen, Mmmminnesota. Eye am currently working with Angie Stone, Najee, John B. Well, and Rosie Gaines. Rosie is the BEST!!! EVER.

Question: Do you see yourself as a musical genius?

Prince: Eye am blessed. All praise is due 2 God.

Prince: Eye have a question 4 the audience.

AOLiveMC22: Prince’s question is: Do you stand with us in r fight 2 retain r master recordings from Time-Warner?

DrewLlVE: The poll is being set up now. Please get your votes ready.

AOLiveMC22: OK, while we wait for the results on that one, let's grab another audience question real quick.

Question: Is there going to be a sequel to “Purple Rain”?

Prince: No. Eye am in the Now.

Question: Prince, as a pioneer in online music, what do you think of fans getting your music free by way of Napster and other programs?

Prince: The cat is sorta outta the bag with that one. We r gonna one-up Napster by delivering the latest grooves 2 r fams’ doorstep every month!

Question: Now that you are using the name Prince again, will you reunite with the Revolution?

Prince: Wendy and Lisa r not in the mood. Brown Mark is here now. He is gonna play with us on Tuesday. Mark and eye study the Bible 2gether. He knew the Truth b4 eye did. That was the reason he quit the band in the 1st place. He is a very cool brotha!

AOLiveMC22: Can you tell us how "Rave UN2 The Joy Fantastic" is doing?

Prince: Ask Arista. Eye already got paid, so eye did fine.

AOLiveMC22: LOL.

Prince: We have a much cooler version coming out on NPG: RAVE IN2 THE JOY FANTASTIC.

Question: Whatever happen to those leather pants without the rear?

Prince: Eye gave them 2 the elephant on “The Muppets.”

Prince: Question 4 the room: Do u believe in God? Eye would love 2 stay longer, but they said one more question. NONONONONO!

Question: Since you had one of the biggest songs of the last century, “1999,” did you perform this anywhere on New Year’s Eve?

Prince: In my bedroom! SHE KNOWS.

AOLiveMC22: Well, we are definitely out of time this evening, folks. Prince, thanks so much for taking the time to join us.

Prince: Call me cak anytime -- back, oops.

AOLiveMC22: Most definitely!

Prince: Regardless of industry spin, eye love my fams and thank them 4 ALL their support, even the bootleggers! Peace and Love Christ.

AOLiveMC22: Good evening, all!

Copyright 2000 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.

Interesting interview. My take on him thanking even the bootleggers is this: While he does not condone or like people making money off his music and not getting paid for it, he
realizes that there is a large underground of people who buy
the bootlegs and enlarges his fan base. He doesn't like them,
but he knows they exist and supply a demand that fans are buying into.

Well I guessed he has changed his mind since then.

he also sang "be glad that u are free, free 2 change ur mind..."

I dont agree with what hes doin to people posting his music on their sites, but just wanted to point out some other lyrics.

well... he played Empty Room at the celebration this year and seemed genuinely happy that people knew the song and got so excited to hear it.

he can't be that mad.

Bootgleggers arent fans--traders are

rdhull said:

Couldn't be said any better.

Maybe his comment was meant in the spirit of "love your enemies."

WHATEVER, believe me oh "deep thinkers"... anyone who listens 2 prince that much, is a big fan

Prince is pulling u in his "matrix" oooh

.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 2 3:16:08 PDT 2002 by suomynona]

this was sent cause probably some idiot got caught tryin 2 record his show.. and now eye get stupid emails regarding this.. instead of an email about a MUSIC RELEASE.. which eye NEVER EVER GET from him.. just BS

That was then...this is now:


BOOTLEGGERS R NOT FANS. THEY SELL UNAUTHORIZED STOLEN PROPERTY 2 FANS. There r numerous posts throut Paisley Park that in4m guests of their policies regarding illegally recording the events that r staged there. This policy applies as well 2 PRINCE and the NPG concerts thruout the world. MESSAGE 2 BOOTLEGGERS: LEAVE UR RECORDING EQUIPMENT AT HOME. ILLEGAL REPRODUCTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS PROHIBITED. PEACE

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

youngworld said:

that is So Funny coming from Him.a Bootleg is as Much a Trademark of His Work as Don King&His Hair IMHO.in fact Prince remember the "Black Album"? Bootleg? Bootlegging did wonders for His Reputation as a Very Prolific Composer.the Guy is Crazy as Hell making a Case about it now.He has been in the Business on Record for 25 Years almost&He has Bootleg stuff dating back to 1980.now I think it's kinda Late to Be on the ANTI-Don't tape Me Now Vibe?

I don't take this to mean that he embraces the bootleggers... DUH! He ain't stupid, he knows they're out there doing their thing. Just b/c he made a flip comment here that was all in fun doesn't mean he wants all his live shows spread across the world wide web...

Prince saying "LOL"?


Wow...

matt said:

Matt, ur so cute when u do that.