BlackandRising said:

Reading these threads regarding 20Ten and Prince's remarks regarding the internet, and how he prefers to get his music out there...aren't a lot of you proving his point? I gather that he meant, with regard to the internet, that regardless of who you give it to to sell it, it's going to get out, and people will download it without paying for it. It's just a sign of the times. So in his mind, he figures out how to get paid so that he feels he's been compensated before it's passed out as a link and quickly sent to 20 friends and so on and so forth.

WIth this in mind, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate his comments, when you're pretty much doing exactly what he's talking about, which is why he felt the need to "abandon" the internet and find other means of distribution.

Just a thought.

IMO, he did not abandon the Internet--he only embraced it tighter. Prince knew that it would be heavily searched for/downloaded on other continents after its European release.

terribleg said:

Zombie Internets crashed thru my window. Dropped a deuce and left 20ten behind.

Now was the deuce the album or did the deuce include the album? Or did the album fall off of their decomposing body?

Poiple said:

BlackandRising said:

Reading these threads regarding 20Ten and Prince's remarks regarding the internet, and how he prefers to get his music out there...aren't a lot of you proving his point? I gather that he meant, with regard to the internet, that regardless of who you give it to to sell it, it's going to get out, and people will download it without paying for it. It's just a sign of the times. So in his mind, he figures out how to get paid so that he feels he's been compensated before it's passed out as a link and quickly sent to 20 friends and so on and so forth.

WIth this in mind, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate his comments, when you're pretty much doing exactly what he's talking about, which is why he felt the need to "abandon" the internet and find other means of distribution.

Just a thought.

IMO, he did not abandon the Internet--he only embraced it tighter. Prince knew that it would be heavily searched for/downloaded on other continents after its European release.

true, I only used the word "abandon" as that is how it's being described by people who either didn't read his comments, or did and just misinterpreted what he said.

BlackandRising said:

Poiple said:

IMO, he did not abandon the Internet--he only embraced it tighter. Prince knew that it would be heavily searched for/downloaded on other continents after its European release.

true, I only used the word "abandon" as that is how it's being described by people who either didn't read his comments, or did and just misinterpreted what he said.

Ah, I see now.

babynoz said:

I think the method serves his purposes of getting paid up front and not having to put much money, time or effort into promotion. Whether that is an incentive to release quality music is debatable. By this method, he can pretty much throw anything together and release it with miminal risk. The papers will give it favorable reviews because it's linked to their publication.

Since he knows the album will get leaked/shared, this way he need not be too concerned about it. This way, he gets the $ while everyone else involved assumes the risk and responsibility of getting the music promoted and distributed.

It makes me question how successfully it would have sold by more conventional means.

This is exactly right.

Prince is doing a genius thing here. He's getting paid up front, no need to worry about sales or promotion or anything else. He's getting his music to a far larger audience than would otherwise be possible, because let's face it... had he released this through traditional means it would have resulted in a big yawn. He gets all the publicity of the unique distribution method for free. It's a no-lose proposition for him. Say what you want about the man, but he has found a great way to circumvent the "system", get his music to fans, and make the $$$ he so clearly wants.

BlackandRising said:

Reading these threads regarding 20Ten and Prince's remarks regarding the internet, and how he prefers to get his music out there...aren't a lot of you proving his point? I gather that he meant, with regard to the internet, that regardless of who you give it to to sell it, it's going to get out, and people will download it without paying for it. It's just a sign of the times. So in his mind, he figures out how to get paid so that he feels he's been compensated before it's passed out as a link and quickly sent to 20 friends and so on and so forth.

WIth this in mind, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate his comments, when you're pretty much doing exactly what he's talking about, which is why he felt the need to "abandon" the internet and find other means of distribution.

Just a thought.

Not for me, it isn't!

I saw that 20Ten had surfaced...around the way...before I went to bed last night. I could have very easily proven his point but I conscientiously chose not to.

This morning, I checked the reviews and saw nothing that makes me even want to download it, much less actually buy it.

I know my little stance means absolutely nothing to him and the fammy fam bunch in the grander scheme of things, but I KNOW that HE'S WRONG because I've proven that to myself and that's good enough for me!

What's very interesting though, is the LOW total of downloads that I've seen...around the way. It's after 2 pm where I am and in no place is the total of downloads anywhere near 500, with all the free publicity Prince generated by his comments about the internet being over.

Just a couple of weeks ago when Eminem released his CD "Recovery", by this time on the day of, downloads were in the thousands, at numerous locations. Yet, he still SOLD over 700,000 the first week and is STILL #1 in 5 categories on Billboard.com, this week.

I'm just saying!

BlackandRising said:

Reading these threads regarding 20Ten and Prince's remarks regarding the internet, and how he prefers to get his music out there...aren't a lot of you proving his point? I gather that he meant, with regard to the internet, that regardless of who you give it to to sell it, it's going to get out, and people will download it without paying for it. It's just a sign of the times. So in his mind, he figures out how to get paid so that he feels he's been compensated before it's passed out as a link and quickly sent to 20 friends and so on and so forth.

WIth this in mind, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate his comments, when you're pretty much doing exactly what he's talking about, which is why he felt the need to "abandon" the internet and find other means of distribution.

Just a thought.

Umm most people are saying "Prince, that was a moronic statement." then move on from it.

Him saying the internet over is just making Prince look like some sort of anti technology old fart. I don't think that encourages people to check out his stuff. It may for some, but for most it just discourages them from even thinking about listening to his music. It's just a dumb thing to say and there is no proof that the internet is dying, atleast yet.

He shouldn't say these things IMO, if he thinks it thats fine, but once you put it out in public it can cause people to become bitter torwards you.

Most people are over fuckin analyzing it though and then they just bash Prince. I really don't care what Prince says, or any artist for that matter, I listen their music and they can say whatever the heck they want.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

BlackandRising said:

Reading these threads regarding 20Ten and Prince's remarks regarding the internet, and how he prefers to get his music out there...aren't a lot of you proving his point? I gather that he meant, with regard to the internet, that regardless of who you give it to to sell it, it's going to get out, and people will download it without paying for it. It's just a sign of the times. So in his mind, he figures out how to get paid so that he feels he's been compensated before it's passed out as a link and quickly sent to 20 friends and so on and so forth.

WIth this in mind, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate his comments, when you're pretty much doing exactly what he's talking about, which is why he felt the need to "abandon" the internet and find other means of distribution.

Just a thought.

Not for me, it isn't!

I saw that 20Ten had surfaced...around the way...before I went to bed last night. I could have very easily proven his point but I conscientiously chose not to.

This morning, I checked the reviews and saw nothing that makes me even want to download it, much less actually buy it.

I know my little stance means absolutely nothing to him and the fammy fam bunch in the grander scheme of things, but I KNOW that HE'S WRONG because I've proven that to myself and that's good enough for me!

What's very interesting though, is the LOW total of downloads that I've seen...around the way. It's after 2 pm where I am and in no place is the total of downloads anywhere near 500, with all the free publicity Prince generated by his comments about the internet being over.

Just a couple of weeks ago when Eminem released his CD "Recovery", by this time on the day of, downloads were in the thousands, at numerous locations. Yet, he still SOLD over 700,000 the first week and is STILL #1 in 5 categories on Billboard.com, this week.

I'm just saying!

So you base everything you do or don't do on reviews? I for one refuse to read reviews of something I want to see or hear. Why would I want someone else's opinion to influence what I do?

To compare him to Eminem is kind of ridiculous. Eminem appeals to young music-buyers still. So yes, he's going to get many downloads as well as sales via iTunes andother outlets.

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets. Prince knows this, obivously, so has decided to take a different route.

BlackandRising said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Not for me, it isn't!

I saw that 20Ten had surfaced...around the way...before I went to bed last night. I could have very easily proven his point but I conscientiously chose not to.

This morning, I checked the reviews and saw nothing that makes me even want to download it, much less actually buy it.

I know my little stance means absolutely nothing to him and the fammy fam bunch in the grander scheme of things, but I KNOW that HE'S WRONG because I've proven that to myself and that's good enough for me!

What's very interesting though, is the LOW total of downloads that I've seen...around the way. It's after 2 pm where I am and in no place is the total of downloads anywhere near 500, with all the free publicity Prince generated by his comments about the internet being over.

Just a couple of weeks ago when Eminem released his CD "Recovery", by this time on the day of, downloads were in the thousands, at numerous locations. Yet, he still SOLD over 700,000 the first week and is STILL #1 in 5 categories on Billboard.com, this week.

I'm just saying!

So you base everything you do or don't do on reviews? I for one refuse to read reviews of something I want to see or hear. Why would I want someone else's opinion to influence what I do?

Eminem appeals to young music-buyers still. So yes, he's going to get many downloads as well as sales via iTunes andother outlets.

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets. Prince knows this, obivously, so has decided to take a different route.

First of all...breath!

No! I do not base everything I do or don't do on reviews. I made my own decision NOT to get 20Ten the day before yesterday.

Why would I want someone else's opinion to influence what I do?

I don't know, I can't speak for you!

Speaking for myself though, I know that I am not alone in this world and I am not alone in how I view things. I also know that EVERYONE has got an opinion. Some I agree with. Some I don't. However, I'm secure enough with my own opinions, that even if there is an opinion that I don't agree with, that's presented well enough to make me reflect on my own. I'm open-minded enough to do so.

If 20Ten was the greatest Prince effort...ever? The opinons here would have certainly reflected that. Both the good and the bad and I'm discerning enough to comprehend the difference.

Secondly...

To compare him to Eminem is kind of ridiculous.

I did NOT compare him to Eminem because you are indeed correct, that would be ridiculous!

I compared the totals of illegal downloading of Prince's 20Ten to the illegal downloading of Eminem's Recovery by 2pm on the day of their releases. In response, to a post that articulated the hypocrisy of those that had proven Prince's point about the internet and illegal downloading!

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets.

Really?

Well, I'm a 40 year old Prince fan from way back in the day and on September 2nd, I'll be at Comerica Park in Detroit, watching Eminem and Jay Z...Live!

How about that? I'm just an exception to all kinds of rules! I wonder where I got that from?

MikeyB71 said:

Sorry, i don't have time to post another picture but the tracklist is as follows:

Compassion

Beginning Endlessly

Future Soul Song

Sticky Like Glue

Act Of God

Lavaux

Walk In Sand

Sea Of Everything

Everybody Loves Me

And on track 77 'Laydown'

Hope this is of help to you?

Cool. Thanks!

Great pix Unique.

serpan99 said:

I woke up this morning....the internet was there...I said thx!

I am truly never going to tire of this.

BlackandRising said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Not for me, it isn't!

I saw that 20Ten had surfaced...around the way...before I went to bed last night. I could have very easily proven his point but I conscientiously chose not to.

This morning, I checked the reviews and saw nothing that makes me even want to download it, much less actually buy it.

I know my little stance means absolutely nothing to him and the fammy fam bunch in the grander scheme of things, but I KNOW that HE'S WRONG because I've proven that to myself and that's good enough for me!

What's very interesting though, is the LOW total of downloads that I've seen...around the way. It's after 2 pm where I am and in no place is the total of downloads anywhere near 500, with all the free publicity Prince generated by his comments about the internet being over.

Just a couple of weeks ago when Eminem released his CD "Recovery", by this time on the day of, downloads were in the thousands, at numerous locations. Yet, he still SOLD over 700,000 the first week and is STILL #1 in 5 categories on Billboard.com, this week.

I'm just saying!

So you base everything you do or don't do on reviews? I for one refuse to read reviews of something I want to see or hear. Why would I want someone else's opinion to influence what I do?

To compare him to Eminem is kind of ridiculous. Eminem appeals to young music-buyers still. So yes, he's going to get many downloads as well as sales via iTunes andother outlets.

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets. Prince knows this, obivously, so has decided to take a different route.

Not really. I was going to mention him, but decided not to considering his genre is entirely different from Prince's. However, they ARE comparative in that both are older artists that have been around for many years, and both have older audiences. Yet while Prince's last 3+ albums struggled, Eminem has stunned the charts with his new record (which, except for 3 songs, is great in my opinion), selling 1.1 million hard-copy CDs within 2 weeks in the US alone, and it's selling more and more in stores with very little promotion or hype. Like Hatrina said, this was all AFTER Recovery leaked online a few days before the CD was even released. This hasn't been done by a hip-hop artist in a long time. Drake can't even sell that much (like most folks expected), and he's been overexposed and overhyped on TV and radio the past year.

So to me, Em's success kinda demonstrates what a dedicated fanbase looks like these days. Young music buyers generally only flock to what is seen everywhere (like Drake, Jay-Z or Lil Wayne), and Eminem has been hiding the past few years, so a lot of young people may not even know or remember who he is. Plus, most young people now don't even buy CDs, lol. I know I don't, unless I'm an ardent fan of the musician. But unlike most other artists, Em apparently still has millions of hardcore older fans within his own country who actually want to go to a store and purchase his entire album to hear and own every song. Prince doesn't have that anymore.

I've said previously I'll continue to buy physical releases as they become available on CD and/or vinyl because, a) I'm a geeky completist, and b) I like the way all the CDs look lined up on the shelf. This release is no different, especially since I actually dig most of what I'm hearing.

However, I got it on the internet, exactly where I was expecting to find it. The entire process took less than 60 seconds. Seriously. Damn that dead internet!

Cerebus said:

I've said previously I'll continue to buy physical releases as they become available on CD and/or vinyl because, a) I'm a geeky completist, and b) I like the way all the CDs look lined up on the shelf. This release is no different, especially since I actually dig most of what I'm hearing.

However, I got it on the internet, exactly where I was expecting to find it. The entire process took less than 60 seconds. Seriously. Damn that dead internet!

Nice, the internet is as dead as people want it to be.

From where i am sitting it is alive and kicking.

The internet is laughing at us right now.

"I'm not dead yet motherfuckers."

Hi all,

Been out of the loop somewhat lately.....haven't read through every post,etc....just need clarification on a few things if someone could be so kind:

Is Courrier International in France supplying 20Ten tomorrow instead of Thursday as originally stated? Searched all over shops here to be met with quizzical looks when asking on Thursday,then saw mention that the copies of 20Ten were held back till the 10th to coincide with other countries??? What confuses me about this is how can they put new copies of Courrier International on the shelves on a Saturday when it comes out every Thursday???

This weeks edition is on the shelves already soooooooooooooooo...what gives????????

Basically, I'm on holiday in France at the moment...so (apart from the internet, where I gather it has leaked) where can I obtain 20Ten tomorrow in France and how?

Any help or answers to these questions would be great. Thanks

syl said:

newspaper, radio etc is only staying alive because they are focusing on non traditional revenue which = INTERNET.

[Edited 7/8/10 21:24pm]

tribe said:

Hi all,

Been out of the loop somewhat lately.....haven't read through every post,etc....just need clarification on a few things if someone could be so kind:

Is Courrier International in France supplying 20Ten tomorrow instead of Thursday as originally stated? Searched all over shops here to be met with quizzical looks when asking on Thursday,then saw mention that the copies of 20Ten were held back till the 10th to coincide with other countries??? What confuses me about this is how can they put new copies of Courrier International on the shelves on a Saturday when it comes out every Thursday???

This weeks edition is on the shelves already soooooooooooooooo...what gives????????

Basically, I'm on holiday in France at the moment...so (apart from the internet, where I gather it has leaked) where can I obtain 20Ten tomorrow in France and how?

Any help or answers to these questions would be great. Thanks

Good question. According to their website, the 8th is still being reported. Obviously it was postponed, but they aren't saying 'till when.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

BlackandRising said:

I did NOT compare him to Eminem because you are indeed correct, that would be ridiculous!

I compared the totals of illegal downloading of Prince's 20Ten to the illegal downloading of Eminem's Recovery by 2pm on the day of their releases. In response, to a post that articulated the hypocrisy of those that had proven Prince's point about the internet and illegal downloading!

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets.

Really?

Well, I'm a 40 year old Prince fan from way back in the day and on September 2nd, I'll be at Comerica Park in Detroit, watching Eminem and Jay Z...Live!

How about that? I'm just an exception to all kinds of rules! I wonder where I got that from?

lol I am breathing, I was just asking a question. Reading reviews and deciding not to listen to something is like not trying honey because someone told you they thought it tasted like shit. Why not find out for yourself?

Comparing the number of downloads between the two is kind of comparing the two. I assume the point you were trying to make is that Eminem hdd more downloads and more sales because he is more popular. And of course there are exceptions to every rule. I'm 43 and love Jay-Z. I'm obviously speaking collectively. So obviously when we're talking about someting as fickle as music, collectively, someone like Eminem, who's a rapper, is going to appeal to many more people than Prince will in this day and age. That's kind of common sense, no?

WaterInYourBath said:

BlackandRising said:

So you base everything you do or don't do on reviews? I for one refuse to read reviews of something I want to see or hear. Why would I want someone else's opinion to influence what I do?

To compare him to Eminem is kind of ridiculous. Eminem appeals to young music-buyers still. So yes, he's going to get many downloads as well as sales via iTunes andother outlets.

Different artists of different generations are not going to appeal to the same markets. Prince knows this, obivously, so has decided to take a different route.

Not really. I was going to mention him, but decided not to considering his genre is entirely different from Prince's. However, they ARE comparative in that both are older artists that have been around for many years, and both have older audiences. Yet while Prince's last 3+ albums struggled, Eminem has stunned the charts with his new record (which, except for 3 songs, is great in my opinion), selling 1.1 million hard-copy CDs within 2 weeks in the US alone, and it's selling more and more in stores with very little promotion or hype. Like Hatrina said, this was all AFTER Recovery leaked online a few days before the CD was even released. This hasn't been done by a hip-hop artist in a long time. Drake can't even sell that much (like most folks expected), and he's been overexposed and overhyped on TV and radio the past year.

So to me, Em's success kinda demonstrates what a dedicated fanbase looks like these days. Young music buyers generally only flock to what is seen everywhere (like Drake, Jay-Z or Lil Wayne), and Eminem has been hiding the past few years, so a lot of young people may not even know or remember who he is. Plus, most young people now don't even buy CDs, lol. I know I don't, unless I'm an ardent fan of the musician. But unlike most other artists, Em apparently still has millions of hardcore older fans within his own country who actually want to go to a store and purchase his entire album to hear and own every song. Prince doesn't have that anymore.

I don't know...hip-hop is whole different ball of wax. And they are both older? Prince is 52, Eminem is 38. That and the amount of time each has been in the music game is a huge difference. Look at The Roots. Hip-Hop, not over the hill...but it's not mainstream hip-hop. I think it's quite obvious that anyone with a big established name in hip-hop will do well with whatever they release. And yes, Prince doesn't have a dedicated fan base anymore, at least not as big as some established hip-hop artists. So he has to go outside the manistream to get his stuff out there. I mean he's 52, this is his 33rd studio album. His music is not immediately accessible like most main-stream hip-hop. I just think a comparison of him and someone like Jay-Z, Eminem, etc., doesn't hold water.

friend sent mp3s but i want a hard copy because i dont like mp3s much

BlackandRising said:

WaterInYourBath said:

Not really. I was going to mention him, but decided not to considering his genre is entirely different from Prince's. However, they ARE comparative in that both are older artists that have been around for many years, and both have older audiences. Yet while Prince's last 3+ albums struggled, Eminem has stunned the charts with his new record (which, except for 3 songs, is great in my opinion), selling 1.1 million hard-copy CDs within 2 weeks in the US alone, and it's selling more and more in stores with very little promotion or hype. Like Hatrina said, this was all AFTER Recovery leaked online a few days before the CD was even released. This hasn't been done by a hip-hop artist in a long time. Drake can't even sell that much (like most folks expected), and he's been overexposed and overhyped on TV and radio the past year.

So to me, Em's success kinda demonstrates what a dedicated fanbase looks like these days. Young music buyers generally only flock to what is seen everywhere (like Drake, Jay-Z or Lil Wayne), and Eminem has been hiding the past few years, so a lot of young people may not even know or remember who he is. Plus, most young people now don't even buy CDs, lol. I know I don't, unless I'm an ardent fan of the musician. But unlike most other artists, Em apparently still has millions of hardcore older fans within his own country who actually want to go to a store and purchase his entire album to hear and own every song. Prince doesn't have that anymore.

I don't know...hip-hop is whole different ball of wax. And they are both older? Prince is 52, Eminem is 38. That and the amount of time each has been in the music game is a huge difference. Look at The Roots. Hip-Hop, not over the hill...but it's not mainstream hip-hop. I think it's quite obvious that anyone with a big established name in hip-hop will do well with whatever they release. And yes, Prince doesn't have a dedicated fan base anymore, at least not as big as some established hip-hop artists. So he has to go outside the manistream to get his stuff out there. I mean he's 52, this is his 33rd studio album. His music is not immediately accessible like most main-stream hip-hop. I just think a comparison of him and someone like Jay-Z, Eminem, etc., doesn't hold water.

Like Prince, Eminem is not 15-25 like most artists who sell "a lot" are. That's what I meant. To most young buyers now, Eminem is old, lol.

You're correct though. Comparing Prince to rappers is not parallel. The music and imagery is too different. The only artist Prince is really comparable to in this regard is Michael Jackson, if he had been able to release a brand new album last year. However with MJ, you would have seen the same millions of CDs quickly sold as you see now with Eminem, again, because of his gigantic enthusiastic fanbase that Prince does not have anymore. Sorry to mention MJ, but that's all it really boils down to. If Prince had the fan-demand that would garner him the high amount of sales he wants, I can almost guarantee he would not be complaining, and would supply his product the traditional way. No matter how much Prince has said he doesn't care about sales, the few hundred thousand people still looking out for his music now is not enough for him. So he has to go the paper route to get the numbers he desires, and make it appear like he's giving the album away to uphold his "sales don't matter" dogma.

Prince is totally beguiling most people with all his remarks in the press, LOL, but I can at least acknowledge that this newspaper plan is innovative. It reminds me of when he included a CD with each ticket sold during the Musicology Tour.

WaterInYourBath said:

BlackandRising said:

I don't know...hip-hop is whole different ball of wax. And they are both older? Prince is 52, Eminem is 38. That and the amount of time each has been in the music game is a huge difference. Look at The Roots. Hip-Hop, not over the hill...but it's not mainstream hip-hop. I think it's quite obvious that anyone with a big established name in hip-hop will do well with whatever they release. And yes, Prince doesn't have a dedicated fan base anymore, at least not as big as some established hip-hop artists. So he has to go outside the manistream to get his stuff out there. I mean he's 52, this is his 33rd studio album. His music is not immediately accessible like most main-stream hip-hop. I just think a comparison of him and someone like Jay-Z, Eminem, etc., doesn't hold water.

Like Prince, Eminem is not 15-25 like most artists who sell "a lot" are. That's what I meant. To most young buyers now, Eminem is old, lol.

You're correct though. Comparing Prince to rappers is not parallel. The music and imagery is too different. The only artist Prince is really comparable to in this regard is Michael Jackson, if he had been able to release a brand new album last year. However with MJ, you would have seen the same millions of CDs quickly sold as you see now with Eminem, again, because of his gigantic enthusiastic fanbase that Prince does not have anymore. Sorry to mention MJ, but that's all it really boils down to. If Prince had the fan-demand that would garner him the high amount of sales he wants, I can almost guarantee he would not be complaining, and would supply his product the traditional way. No matter how much Prince has said he doesn't care about sales, the few hundred thousand people still looking out for his music now is not enough for him. So he has to go the paper route to get the numbers he desires, and make it appear like he's giving the album away to uphold his "sales don't matter" dogma.

Prince is totally beguiling most people with all his remarks in the press, LOL, but I can at least acknowledge that this newspaper plan is innovative. It reminds me of when he included a CD with each ticket sold during the Musicology Tour.

NOTE: he did the newspaper route for 2007's "Planet Earth" lest people have forgotten that. Oddly enough he avoided the route for "Lotus Flower"/"MPLS Sound".

I'm a huge Jay-Z fan, but dude is an anomaly from whatever angle you wanna look at. Accepted by a white audience (a long ass time ago), but still loved by the hood (most of it). He's become a household name in an age when most people over thirty don't even try to learn who the "hot" artists are. I know more forty to fifty year olds that could tell you who Jay-Z is than either Lady Gargoyle or Kesha. He's got eleven number one albums in a row, which almost nobody has done, ever, in any genre. He's pop, but still accepted by the underground when he chooses to go there. He's the ONLY hip-hop artist who can play live in front of 50,000 people and make it feel like a rock concert (better than most rock concerts, in fact - we'll see how Em does playin' live with him). He's a succesful entreprenuer outside of the hip-hop game in a time when businesses are failing left and right. Dude is pretty much one of a kind.

'NET*. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. AND CAN'T WAIT TO BUY IT. BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE THE AUDACITY TO LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC FREE- I AM NOT THAT SKILLED, AND I WANT A GREAT VERSIN FOR THE CAR... SO COME ON, SELL IT!!!!!!

*DURING MONTREAUX SOMEONE TOLD ME TO LOOK LOOK LOOK. IT'S THERE. AND SERIOUSLY AFTER HOURS AND KEYWORDS AND ALL THAT- I FOUND GOLD. (NOT THE SONG), BUT ALL SORTS OF STUFF.

AND I ALWAYS BUY! HAVE SINCE THE BEGINNING. (WELL- I DID STEAL THE $ FROM MY MOM FOR THE "PRINCE" ALBUM WHEN I WAS 10 BECAUSE SHE SAID HE'S NAKED ON THE COVER AND SHE WILL NOT BUY IT.) OOPS.

THEN SHE GOT GANGSTA AND BOUGHT THE BLACK ALBUM FROM AN OERSEAS BUDDY FOR ME!

Timmy84 said:

WaterInYourBath said:

Like Prince, Eminem is not 15-25 like most artists who sell "a lot" are. That's what I meant. To most young buyers now, Eminem is old, lol.

You're correct though. Comparing Prince to rappers is not parallel. The music and imagery is too different. The only artist Prince is really comparable to in this regard is Michael Jackson, if he had been able to release a brand new album last year. However with MJ, you would have seen the same millions of CDs quickly sold as you see now with Eminem, again, because of his gigantic enthusiastic fanbase that Prince does not have anymore. Sorry to mention MJ, but that's all it really boils down to. If Prince had the fan-demand that would garner him the high amount of sales he wants, I can almost guarantee he would not be complaining, and would supply his product the traditional way. No matter how much Prince has said he doesn't care about sales, the few hundred thousand people still looking out for his music now is not enough for him. So he has to go the paper route to get the numbers he desires, and make it appear like he's giving the album away to uphold his "sales don't matter" dogma.

Prince is totally beguiling most people with all his remarks in the press, LOL, but I can at least acknowledge that this newspaper plan is innovative. It reminds me of when he included a CD with each ticket sold during the Musicology Tour.

NOTE: he did the newspaper route for 2007's "Planet Earth" lest people have forgotten that. Oddly enough he avoided the route for "Lotus Flower"/"MPLS Sound".

No, I haven't forgotten that. But that was just one paper (almost like an experiment), not several around the world like now. Plus, PE was also released in Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc at the same time. 20Ten hasn't been stocked in stores anywhere.

And Lotus/MPLS was another experiment, making his CD available in only ONE location, and then just on that failed website. What's happening now is different from what he's done before.

Is ANYONE besides myself wating to get a CD to listen to 20TEN?

NoVideo said:

babynoz said:

I think the method serves his purposes of getting paid up front and not having to put much money, time or effort into promotion. Whether that is an incentive to release quality music is debatable. By this method, he can pretty much throw anything together and release it with miminal risk. The papers will give it favorable reviews because it's linked to their publication.

Since he knows the album will get leaked/shared, this way he need not be too concerned about it. This way, he gets the $ while everyone else involved assumes the risk and responsibility of getting the music promoted and distributed.

It makes me question how successfully it would have sold by more conventional means.

This is exactly right.

Prince is doing a genius thing here. He's getting paid up front, no need to worry about sales or promotion or anything else. He's getting his music to a far larger audience than would otherwise be possible, because let's face it... had he released this through traditional means it would have resulted in a big yawn. He gets all the publicity of the unique distribution method for free. It's a no-lose proposition for him. Say what you want about the man, but he has found a great way to circumvent the "system", get his music to fans, and make the $$$ he so clearly wants.

yet does not need. he's hung up on proving a point he made years ago. we get it already. be independent and release your music how you want. ur entitled to be compensated etc..

but he doesnt need the money. he just chooses to shoot for it, cuz he's stuck believing in his own sense of entitlement.

at least he's being true to his real nature though. it wouldnt suit him to be so gracious as to give a whole album away entirely for free without expecting anything in return.

thats only a trip for the saints.

[sinp - mars23]