I remember the first time I ever truly heard a Prince song.

In a few weeks, it will be the first anniversary for my becoming an avid Prince supporter.

So much has changed since then.

When I first became a Prince fan back in September 2006, it was like discovering gold. His music seemed to fill me up and made life seem a little more enjoyable. I became crazy about certain songs, certain parts of certain songs and, of course, certain videos. Living in a purple world was fun, effortless and amazing.

Then, one day, I made the fateful decision to create a mash-up video using a well known pop stars video to the tune of Darling Nikki.

I worked for a day or so, working to get little parts right, working to make it look good. Once I was happy with my result, I uploaded it to youtube. Little did I know, I was contributing to what would ultimately be the reason Prince loses a huge percentage of fans at such a late stage in his turbulent career.

Of course, my video was removed in a day, much to my dissappointment and annoyance. What exactly did I do wrong? I credited him in the blurb section and I got some nice comments congratulating my creative effort. One even said "Prince would have liked this." Yeah....somehow I don't think he did.

To realise slowly that your favourite artist couldn't give a damn about you is painful. Whenever you become a fan of a certain artist, you always have that little thought in the back of your mind that they appreciate you - even if you're in a completely different country. You feel like you're fulfilling your part of the deal by buying their songs, supporting them when talking to friends, watching them single handedly save the Superbowl Halftime show, buying their new album even though it's everywhere on the internet for free, actually finding something good about their B-Grade movies from 1986.

It takes up a fair amount of your spare time and money to support an artist, so to me, I have the right to sit down and occasionally indulge in some vintage video classics that are no longer screened on television or available to purchase anywhere at all.

But according to Prince, I'm not allowed that privilege anymore.

According to Prince, there should be no way for me to support him besides somehow finding a spare $3,121 dollars and a spare plane ticket to catch one of his London shows. My only other option? To read a dreadfully embarassing and barely comprehendable rushed account on his website. Apparently, as a fan I'm supposed to be "satisfied" with that.

And I'm not.

We live in a world where we are all connected to each other with the click of a mouse. Yet Prince still mananges to be further away from us than ever.

Things seemed to look up when the Verizon ad graced our computer screens, even if we cringed slightly at the sight of legs being played as guitars.

While some org members cried "SELL OUT!" most were pleased to see him visible again to the general public for good reason. So far there had been the jaw dropping Superbowl performance watched by millions the world over and now this commercial.

Things were lookin' good. The Vegas shows were cooling off but still pretty hot and for a while there, Prince was cool again. A real living legend, maybe the only "cool" 80's star left.

But all good things, he once said, never last.

The Verizon commercial itself was embarassingly removed by his relentless YouTube Police, even the one 3121.com had linked to their site. Wow! Talk about efficiency! Eventually, nothing much became of the commerical, the song "Guitar" as a single, or the ringtone. It all just melted away into oblivion.

And now, it seems the same fate is waiting for all of the rare, common and fun videos posted up on youtube of Prince in his heyday. When he was a leader, not afraid. When he was pushing boundaries, not sticking way behind them. When he was dangerous and threatening, not so safe even your nana could approach him.

When he changed the face of music, instead of running away from progression.

If I could ask Prince any question at all, it'd be : Why?

Money?

Copyright?

Fear?

What exactly are you planning on replacing the lost videos with? Once there's no trace of you on youtube, where can I see you again? Will I ever be able to see a video of yours again when I want to or will I have to watch music television every day for hours to see one overplayed "Kiss" video?

Are you really going to leave all us fans out in the cold like this?

Are you really willing to risk losing 99% of us?

Are you ready to face boycotting?

Do you really want to be known as The Artist Formerly Known As Relevant at the tail end of your career?

Are you trying to end your career "early"?

Once you're gone from the internet, you're gone from people's minds. Simple.

There's a whole lotta questions that deserve answering, Prince.

But I'm sure, just like your lost videos and performances, they will go unheard, unseen and unanswered.

[I just had to get this off my chest.]

I poured my pathetic heart out into a convulsing red pile, typing a response and my browser deleted it.
anyway, i like your points. even though i havent yet formed a full opinion, I think I will end up in your boat.

ToraToraDreams said:

That happened to me too when i first tried to post this. Click back on your browser a few times see if it comes back up. And always copy your work thanks for your support though

Hey, I realize I am an outsider, responding to a written emotional statement.
First, I respect all people that bring forth honesty, for the sake of being
heard.
I am not Prince, or his point of view, however, I have been a fan for 28 years.
I can know, as an outsider, that love and support, can exist, for an artist
without the expectation of anything in return, except the opportunity to love
a new record, or video.
The only piece of your letter, that I would consider re-evaluating...Is the
concept of running away from progression.
As an outsider, to Prince and his personal opinion of his image and
work, I can say that progression is in the eyes of the beholder.
Financial compensation for one's own work, Is different from another's contribution to decorating, another's career. Prince decides HOW, he wants his
materials filtered into society. The original thought may be kind and supportive, and I believe that Prince appreciate's that, but Prince doesn't have the time to pick and choose from those that had an honest intention. Some people are just financially, or creatively selfish at another's expense. Sadly, the harmless supporters will have to be punished with the ill-intentions of others.

you'll probably get some heat for your post but you make some very valid points that any artist who makes a living from having fans should find very relevant. peace

© Prince

Wow.Sorry u've been a fan 4 only 1 year.Those of us who have been fans 4 many years have probably seen all there is 2 c already.I know I have memories 2 last longer than Youtube ever will.If he fades away now and pops up in 10 years,I'll still b there.

purplesweat said:

Sit down and re-read your post!!

No one forced you to be a Prince fan, Prince has millions of fans around the world what do you expect him to do.. spend his life debating on the pros and cons of each fans perception of him, or to hand each one of them a personalized thank-you note... give him a break !

Artists (musicians) put out their work and want people to remember it as THEY put it out, not some fan's interpretation of his work or an unauthorized reproduction. Get real!
[Edited 9/17/07 22:43pm]

I personally have made a decision to remove all bootleg video's and music from my computer. Musicians bust their ass everyday to be on top . I guess its going to get pretty lonley on top for some of them. I'll have to suffice with what I can afford to purchase in future or relie on what I already have.

I applaud ur opinion and I agree.

In my opinion, if Prince goes after the sharing sites and his fans, he is literally "erasing" himself and his music from existence. If he succeeds, in 20 years, his image nor his music will be known. We, as fans, are keeping his music and videos alive and making him exist. We appreciate him. We love him. But to cease and desist his existence and to alianate and eliminate his fan base is totally incomprehensible.

On side note...I've spent thousands of dollars on Prince for almost 30 years collecting his music, videos, posters, going to concerts, etc etc. I loved every minute of it. I loved him too...not only for his music, but his poetry and his sexy azz!! Now that I'm chasing my own dream, I'm selling my collection. Some of you lucky orgers got some of it. Eventually I will sell it all. My existence and my dreams are more important these days.
[Edited 9/17/07 23:25pm]

Hey, I've got what I've got here of Prince, and it's all fine with me... whatever he wants to put out in the future will prob be fine w/ me too.

I was never into having bootlegs and hunting down every outtake and rarity... so I guess whatever Prince does, it's not going to change my own life a whole lot. I'll be too busy enjoying the music, I guess.

pplrain said:

He wants people to remember it as he put it out?

How can I do that if it's not available?

As for the first part of your answer, I never said I was expecting that from him, but I ALSO didn't expect him to attack the only venue that gives us less privilaged fans the chance to see him.

NouveauDance said:

Hardly. I never said I didn't enjoy his music anymore.

purplesweat said:

For the fans that followed him for many years, he has done strange things before, especially back in the 90s with the whole WB/slave thing. Of course the unpronounceable name change, then back to Prince again, never going to tour again etc...etc...
I think in a couple of years we'll just see it as another weird moment in the history of Prince and it will all move on.

I've been a fan since the early 80's, and let me tell you it ain't easy loving Prince. He's never been consisent and expects people to go along with whatever he thinks is the way things should be. I dropped Prince like a hot potatoe aroud 87 and didn't come back for 20 years, because of his disregard for his fans. You either go along with his program or leave and don't look back that's the bottom line. So I've decided to stick around.
Whoever started that "No fury like a fan scorned" should just leave because Prince is not gonna change,case closed.
[Edited 9/18/07 3:05am]

I'm sorry you're annoyed with Prince, but I don't know what you expect. You paid for records and concerts in the past, and you got them. That doesn't give you unlimited rights to anything Prince creates. If you've bought the Hits video compilation, Purple Rain DVD, Vegas DVD, batman DVD etc, you've got the right to view those videos too. But that doesn't give you the right to watch a load of other stuff just because it isn't commercially available.

I don't know what you were expecting by sharing a film using Darling Nikki. By all means create it and enjoy the process, but you must have known that there would be problems putting it online. Firstly, Prince has turned his back on most of his rude songs so you could say it's a bit insensitive to him to use them yourself. Secondly, he has a moral and legal right to approve any use of his music. In the same way that you have control over who can use the films you make, and how. If he doesn't like it, he can pull it at any time. That's the law and it's what society as a whole considers to be reasonable.

Youtube has a business model built on piracy - it makes money from traffic that is mostly brought in using unauthorised copyright material. I can see Prince having a problem with that. I would have if it was my content they were ripping off.

People aren't going to boycott Prince over this. A few hardcore fans will throw a wobbly, but that'll be it. The whole photos thing is unfortunate and really is ill-advised, but deleting unauthorised videos and bootlegs is perfectly understandable. I'd rather he were more liberal, but I don't think any less of Prince for enforcing his creative rights over his work.

You shouldn't take this personally. Prince likes to be in complete control how his material is distributed.
Prince has regard for his fans. I have been a fan for many years and I think it is safe to say that just about every Prince fan on the planet has been through some kind of disappointment and hardship while being a Prince fan.It's part of the games, and in the end it works out and is well worth whatever goes down.

Since you have only been a fan from 2006, you missed out on the celebrations, the free afterparties and aftershows, the free soundchecks during the ONA tour.,etc,etc.Prince has done more for fans then any celebrity I have ever heard of. Don't punish yourself if you love the music, and the live shows and especially the aftershows are something you will never get from another celebrity.

NouveauDance said:

I think I have BPFS! It's really like staying in an abusive relationship, because you so love the guy despite of what he's doing to you. And you will forever keep the hope alive, that things will change and everything will be like it once was. You keep hope alive that someday your Prince will return all the love, respect, appreciation and admiration you've given him over the years.
Maybe all the BPFS sufferers, who no longer want to live in denial, should create a support group, so we can all come out of this relationship with dignity and our self-image and souls intact. But be warned, it will not be easy!

Is he asking for photo's taken by fans taken down, or just the proffesional photos that are floating about? If its a photo's are been taken at an event or on the street, then its my understanding that this is perfectly legal as long as your not profiting from it.

the bootlegs and illegal downloads seems fine. But i think he is fighting a loosing battle on image rights .

sean2003 said:

PRINCE IS HIS OWN MAN!!!!! Thats what puts him a class of his own...thats why many love him, and why i personnally have the utmost respect 4 him....surely, it's thanx 2 his undividualism that his music beguiles in such a unique manner....and no other composer/performer can touch him!!!(imho)

Live 4 Love....enjoy the music....he does care!!

Wow, people seem to be getting quite defensive. Big deal that half of you have been fans for over 20 years. Do y'all want a medal or something? It seems people always use this to undermine others.

I can relate to what Purplesweat is saying. But, at the end of the day having access to Prince material via the internet isn't the end all. He ain't my oxygen, and I can and will survive without him.

Christina xx

Well Prince will be on his way back to the U.S. in a few days, lets see how many of the 'Scorned' fans run to buy tickets for his next concerts.

wlcm2thdwn said:

If there are any concerts, that is!

Copyright is copyright is copyright. Prince doesn't want ANYONE reinterpreting his work without his permission and there is nothing wrong with that. If you are so talented then make your own art and mash it up. Stop lying to yourself: you are not doing Prince any favors by posting his stuff on Youtube and generating ad dollars for Google!

FreeMuze said:

Is Prince within his legal rights to do what he is doing? Yes BUT that doesn't make him a smart business man.

I think some of you don't realize how many fans has actually lost behind these little out burst of control issues.

At this point in his career, he should assist young artist with how to effectively use the internet as a promotional tool Unfortunately, Prince always has great ideas but doesn't know how to implement his own ideas to his advantage. The music club closed because there was an element that he couldn't control, peoples opinion of him.

THIS is what he is trying to control and he'll never achieve this.

wlcm2thdwn said:

I don't feel scorned but I have no desire to see Prince in concert when he gets back. I'm bored and even though YouTube or HQ may have hosted those videos "illegally", I loved being reminded why I loved his music in the first place. the last three albums hold no special place in my heart. Prince music for years had been an escape for me and it pains me to see he is becoming what he used to hate. Say what you guys will, but nothing does it for me like seeing the Automatic video.

I'm not familiar with all these new terms these days but isn't a "mash-up" the same as what we used to call "mixing" back in the day, which was taking various songs with the same drum tempo and blending and overlapping them together to create something new? It sounds like maybe what you created was a video version of what we used to calling mixing, maybe putting various video clips together that look like they would flow well together. It sounds like it would have been a very creative thing and very entertaining to watch.

Mixing is something interesting and creative for DJs to do to entertain entertain people rather than just playing one song after another. They are actually creating something themselves. The problem is, people don't know where to stop or draw the line when it comes to mixing. People making records started using mixing techniques to make new songs of their own and called it sampling. I was fine with it in the beginning and thought it was kind of fun. However, sampled songs soon started to take over and push anything by actual musicians out of the picture altogether. DJs can't even make a mix with new material anymore because they would be sampling someone else's sample. Someone has to create entirely new original music from scratch for DJs to mix and that someone would be musicians. People these days take a good thing such as mixing, take it to higher levels such as being the basic foundation of a song where it doesn't belong, and it snuffs out original new music from being made altogether.

I'm sure what you made was a very creative video version of what we used to call mixing. However, as creative as it may be, I'm sure someone like Prince who is a real musician and has a hard time getting radio airplay because of all the people dominating radio with sampled music, doesn't want his music to be used to further the problem and help it grow. I know yours was a video version of mixing and not many people make those but mixing music used to be something that not many people did either until people blew it out of proportion. I think Prince's problem lies more with people that are going to use his music to create something for themselves rather than just having his videos on youtube so he tries to get all his videos removed in attempt to stop it.
.
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[Edited 9/18/07 6:58am]

Rhondab said:

I mean, really...screw that.

FreeMuze said:

Actually, that makes a lot of sense.

I mean, for about a month or two, I resisted going on YouTube to search 4 his videos (I mean, HQ was still up at the time)... cuz I had a feeling he'd be sensitive about the site and having his stuff posted.
That I understand perfectly.

But of course, temptation got the best of me and now I search 4 his videos whenever I feel like I need 2c some.
But I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed that he doesn't go after Myspace type-sites... cuz if he touches my blog... not in a good way... I might have something 2 worry about cuz I used that to chronicle the journey I've taken with him... and still am.

gemini13 said:

He's better off not caring. People will always gripe about him for one reason or another because... people like to gripe, I guess.