what does this mean? I've heard the phrase before but i never understood what it meant. is it to do with a time in his career? thanks.

When he changed his name

Stereo said:

1993, pt. 2: Announces that he is changing his name to and that "Prince is dead". In January 2000 he changes his name back to Prince.

- from Prince Rogers Nelson FAQs, Housequake.com

luv4u said:

ah ok, thanks.

He was "dead" in a contractual and legal sense!!!!

Twinkly1 said:

but why the phrase 'prince is dead' ?

did everyone feel like the symbol was a different entity?

Desire2006 said:

like dead to the 'system'?

Yes!! Another reason why Prince/0(+> was way much better back then than he is now!!!! I loved his radical, F....k U attitude back then!!!!

Desire2006 said:

ok so it isnt just me that felt was different to "Prince".

its a very powerful symbol, but arent they still the same person?

or is the symbol his higher self, and 'prince' is his lower self?

can they exist together at the same time or?

Stereo said:

.....and stereo is in rare form today

I remember being really upset with that statement "Prince is dead" at the time it was announced, felt like I'd lost him!

Stereo said:

Prince reportedly described the act as follows:

"The first step I have taken towards the ultimate goal of emancipation from the chains that bind me to Warner Bros. was to change my name from Prince to the Love Symbol. Prince is the name that my Mother gave me at birth. Warner Bros. took the name, trademarked it, and used it as the main marketing tool to promote all of the music that I wrote. The company owns the name Princeand all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros.… I was born Prince and did not want to adopt another conventional name. The only acceptable replacement for my name, and my identity, was the Love Symbol, a symbol with no pronunciation, that is a representation of me and what my music is about. This symbol is present in my work over the years; it is a concept that has evolved from my frustration; it is who I am. It is my name."

"can they exist together at the same time or?"

Why not? To me it looks like he has many selves.
The killing of 'Prince' was perhaps a desire for some kind of rebirth - a new beginning with a new state of mind?..

Who really knows, but him?...

Stereo said:

Flo6 said:

I would think the "death" of the former Prince marked the end or death of the Prince in a contractual sense who was bound by the control of WB.

I believe the two can exist and do exist concurrently. Since prince has reclaimed his birth name (no longer "owned" by WB) he is the one and only, Prince R Nelson. The symbol (also Prince) embodies the essence of Prince and therefore is also Prince.

Additionally, the symbol is probably one of the most well known logos or trademarks as it is recognized globally as Prince.

Just my thoughts on this.