An open letter to Prince...

From the first day you sat down at the piano and figured how to play, all the way up to the final recording of 'Dreamer' which was nominated for a Grammy this year and all the while learning more about instruments, music and even the industry than most other artists past and present have done and I hazard to guess that only a select few of future artists will even try. So Kudos to you sir, I hope to always be a fan of your musical genius and savoir-faire.

Now that I have gotten the praise out of the way, I have a bone to pick with you sir! Actually a few bones to pick with you. Are you ready? Than let's begin shall we;

1. Treatment of your 'Fans' - Warner Bros. screwed you! Got it! And yet years later, you want money from (or expect money from) your fans in order to listen to some music or watch some videos. Really? Now who is getting screwed?

2. Contracts! We know! You've lost millions and the ownership of so much of your material is up in the air but for the love of God, Heaven and/or the Universe, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE quit complaining about it and quit making it the subject, directly or indirectly, of every 3rd song you release! PLEASE! We get it! CONTRACTS ARE BAD! You've heard of beating a dead horse? Well sir, you have reached the point of beating us, the fans, with said horse. ENOUGH!

3. Independent based ventures! (From 1-800-New Funk to Lotusflow3r.com) I give you credit for trying. Really I do! Support the artist and cut out the middle man? But if this is the best you can do? PLEASE STOP!

4. Music! Honestly it seems that while you were bound to Warner Bros. your music actually seemed to have more heart and soul to it. That's not to say that since you left in 1999 there haven't been some great songs too but it's definitely been different! While I know that for an artist of any kind to be relevant they most grow and experiment with their artistic medium, 2010 has not been good. Two songs barely equaling half a decent song (the guitar riffs in Cause & Effect) is quite disappointing.

5. The Fabled Vault! If such a thing exists then please remember the combination and open the door! Be the bigger man and settle whatever disputes exist with other parties. It's that simple. Really it is! I would gladly pay a 'fair' amount per song as long as it was of decent quality and bit rate. The money made, unless there is that much red tape, would be astronomical!

Well I think that pretty much sums things up! So 'Think about the Future!', ' May U live 2 C the Dawn!' and last but not least... 'Pull you head out of your 4 points of contact, sir!' PEACE!

Sincerely yours,
A fan (for to long to have to deal with this kind of foolishness!)