hhhhdmt said:

wonder505 said:

It will help him sell more concert yes. but people i know who download music free almost never buy music.

either way it will help him. People who download music free will get it from tons of websites. Blocking his stuff on youtube will not benefit him in any way.

Youtube is not a great marketing tool, as people keep suggesting. Unfortunately, I've had this argument on this site too many times to go in to it all again. But, safe to say, hardly ANY artists (with a handful of exceptions - as always) get broken in to a career through Youtube.

And, I think you're missing the point about who Prince is targetting. He doesn't want COMPANIES like YouTube/Google profiteering off his work. Its not about the individual downloaders, its about big corporates using his work in their content and making money off it. That's why he went after YouTube, PirateBay etc

He knows people who want his music for free will get if for free. ALL artists understand this and, to some extent, have to accept it. And one of the reasons for that is, you can't say that everyone who is d.loading your music would have paid for it anyway - i.e. they only have the faintest interest and wouldn't have bought it if it were only available in the shops, they would have just let it pass them by.

But, again, YouTube is NOT great advertising or marketing and Prince wasn't missing out on anything by not being on there and is not gaining anything from being on there now either.

Mindflux said:

hhhhdmt said:

either way it will help him. People who download music free will get it from tons of websites. Blocking his stuff on youtube will not benefit him in any way.

Youtube is not a great marketing tool, as people keep suggesting. Unfortunately, I've had this argument on this site too many times to go in to it all again. But, safe to say, hardly ANY artists (with a handful of exceptions - as always) get broken in to a career through Youtube.

And, I think you're missing the point about who Prince is targetting. He doesn't want COMPANIES like YouTube/Google profiteering off his work. Its not about the individual downloaders, its about big corporates using his work in their content and making money off it. That's why he went after YouTube, PirateBay etc

He knows people who want his music for free will get if for free. ALL artists understand this and, to some extent, have to accept it. And one of the reasons for that is, you can't say that everyone who is d.loading your music would have paid for it anyway - i.e. they only have the faintest interest and wouldn't have bought it if it were only available in the shops, they would have just let it pass them by.

But, again, YouTube is NOT great advertising or marketing and Prince wasn't missing out on anything by not being on there and is not gaining anything from being on there now either.

wasn't that goofball bieber discovered thru youtube?

purplemookiebut said:

Mindflux said:

Youtube is not a great marketing tool, as people keep suggesting. Unfortunately, I've had this argument on this site too many times to go in to it all again. But, safe to say, hardly ANY artists (with a handful of exceptions - as always) get broken in to a career through Youtube.

And, I think you're missing the point about who Prince is targetting. He doesn't want COMPANIES like YouTube/Google profiteering off his work. Its not about the individual downloaders, its about big corporates using his work in their content and making money off it. That's why he went after YouTube, PirateBay etc

He knows people who want his music for free will get if for free. ALL artists understand this and, to some extent, have to accept it. And one of the reasons for that is, you can't say that everyone who is d.loading your music would have paid for it anyway - i.e. they only have the faintest interest and wouldn't have bought it if it were only available in the shops, they would have just let it pass them by.

But, again, YouTube is NOT great advertising or marketing and Prince wasn't missing out on anything by not being on there and is not gaining anything from being on there now either.

wasn't that goofball bieber discovered thru youtube?

Notice I said "with a handful of exceptions"!

Yup - Bieber is one (however, he was discovered, he didn't make a career out of YouTube - that came from the same ol' music industry!). But its a bit like saying that because someone was discovered singing at some small-town bar that this bar is now some important part of the music industry and is the reason for that person's career. Its not! Its just where they were discovered.

Now, name me 8 other artists who have "made it" through YouTube, just to make it to 10. Out of the thousands and thousands of new acts who start a career in music, you're going to find that its an incredibly small percentage!

Mindflux said:

purplemookiebut said:

wasn't that goofball bieber discovered thru youtube?

Notice I said "with a handful of exceptions"!

Now, name me 8 other artists who have "made it" through YouTube, just to make it to 10. Out of the thousands and thousands of new acts who start a career in music, you're going to find that its an incredibly small percentage!

THIS!

Not only that but WMG also removed a handful of videos as well.

That's why now there is VEVO, which the "official" video website that the recording companies are giving their videos of their artists too. Soon, and I mean very soon, you won't begin to see pretty much any official videos on YouTube, they will be on their sister site, VEVO.

Personally, I don't blame Prince in a way. Heck, block all the videos from the Purple Rain album because if a younger generation sees his videos and then go to iTunes and pay for it, who is really getting paid from that? Prince or Warner Music Group? Prince is not stupid! He know the masses will get Purple Rain and maybe 1999 10x over and Warner will get super paid on that.

But at the same time, you get it, you should pay so with all the free ways to get music, he is trying to save some revenue from that too. It's like a losing battle that seems like only Prince is brave enough to continue fighting right in their faces.

And he is the only one having problems with YouTube/VEVO. Now ALOT of younger and newer artists are fighting this same issue. People are tired of creating stuff and not getting paid for it.

whenever i actually get some good prince videos on utube the always get taken down a few days later! it really pisses me off sometimes!

purplerain14 said:

whenever i actually get some good prince videos on utube the always get taken down a few days later! it really pisses me off sometimes!

just download them before they get taken down, thats what i do

Mindflux said:

hhhhdmt said:

either way it will help him. People who download music free will get it from tons of websites. Blocking his stuff on youtube will not benefit him in any way.

Youtube is not a great marketing tool, as people keep suggesting. Unfortunately, I've had this argument on this site too many times to go in to it all again. But, safe to say, hardly ANY artists (with a handful of exceptions - as always) get broken in to a career through Youtube.

And, I think you're missing the point about who Prince is targetting. He doesn't want COMPANIES like YouTube/Google profiteering off his work. Its not about the individual downloaders, its about big corporates using his work in their content and making money off it. That's why he went after YouTube, PirateBay etc

He knows people who want his music for free will get if for free. ALL artists understand this and, to some extent, have to accept it. And one of the reasons for that is, you can't say that everyone who is d.loading your music would have paid for it anyway - i.e. they only have the faintest interest and wouldn't have bought it if it were only available in the shops, they would have just let it pass them by.

But, again, YouTube is NOT great advertising or marketing and Prince wasn't missing out on anything by not being on there and is not gaining anything from being on there now either.

i repectfully disagree

I agree that youtube isnt a great place to get "discovered" but Prince doesnt need to be discovered. He is an international superstar. If his music is up on youtube, then some younger kids might see his videos and might want to buy some of his albums

I discovered Prince through youtube and now i (legally) own several of his albums. Most people aren't going to buy an album just to check it out. If they see something they like on youtube, they might end up buying it.

hhhhdmt said:

purplerain14 said:

whenever i actually get some good prince videos on utube the always get taken down a few days later! it really pisses me off sometimes!

just download them before they get taken down, thats what i do

i cant believe i didnt think of that! Good idea....thanks

hhhhdmt said:

Mindflux said:

Youtube is not a great marketing tool, as people keep suggesting. Unfortunately, I've had this argument on this site too many times to go in to it all again. But, safe to say, hardly ANY artists (with a handful of exceptions - as always) get broken in to a career through Youtube.

And, I think you're missing the point about who Prince is targetting. He doesn't want COMPANIES like YouTube/Google profiteering off his work. Its not about the individual downloaders, its about big corporates using his work in their content and making money off it. That's why he went after YouTube, PirateBay etc

He knows people who want his music for free will get if for free. ALL artists understand this and, to some extent, have to accept it. And one of the reasons for that is, you can't say that everyone who is d.loading your music would have paid for it anyway - i.e. they only have the faintest interest and wouldn't have bought it if it were only available in the shops, they would have just let it pass them by.

But, again, YouTube is NOT great advertising or marketing and Prince wasn't missing out on anything by not being on there and is not gaining anything from being on there now either.

i repectfully disagree

I agree that youtube isnt a great place to get "discovered" but Prince doesnt need to be discovered. He is an international superstar. If his music is up on youtube, then some younger kids might see his videos and might want to buy some of his albums

I discovered Prince through youtube and now i (legally) own several of his albums. Most people aren't going to buy an album just to check it out. If they see something they like on youtube, they might end up buying it.

You've answered your own question right there! Prince doesn't need to be "discovered" - he has global fame and is one of the best known musicians in the world! Hence, YouTube is still no benefit for him. He doesn't need it, or want it!

I'm interested - how did you "discover" Prince on YouTube? Were you just browsing through videos and happened to come across a Prince video? Given the billions of videos on YouTube, the chances of randomly discovering an artist are tiny. Most people get in to new music through recommendation- you know "Oh, have you heard this guy? Check him out, he's amazing!".

There are far more successful (and income producing!) ways of getting yourself out there and, believe me (as a record producer and label owner myself), sticking a video up on YouTube and hoping for the best is NOT the best way to do it!

Mindflux said:

hhhhdmt said:

i repectfully disagree

I agree that youtube isnt a great place to get "discovered" but Prince doesnt need to be discovered. He is an international superstar. If his music is up on youtube, then some younger kids might see his videos and might want to buy some of his albums

I discovered Prince through youtube and now i (legally) own several of his albums. Most people aren't going to buy an album just to check it out. If they see something they like on youtube, they might end up buying it.

You've answered your own question right there! Prince doesn't need to be "discovered" - he has global fame and is one of the best known musicians in the world! Hence, YouTube is still no benefit for him. He doesn't need it, or want it!

I'm interested - how did you "discover" Prince on YouTube? Were you just browsing through videos and happened to come across a Prince video? Given the billions of videos on YouTube, the chances of randomly discovering an artist are tiny. Most people get in to new music through recommendation- you know "Oh, have you heard this guy? Check him out, he's amazing!".

There are far more successful (and income producing!) ways of getting yourself out there and, believe me (as a record producer and label owner myself), sticking a video up on YouTube and hoping for the best is NOT the best way to do it!

fair enough, i am hardly a music expert

As far as Prince is concerned, i had heard the name a few times but i still didnt know his music. So one day i just typed in his name on youtube and came across a few songs (little red corvette, when doves cry). From that point, i became a fan

hhhhdmt said:

Mindflux said:

You've answered your own question right there! Prince doesn't need to be "discovered" - he has global fame and is one of the best known musicians in the world! Hence, YouTube is still no benefit for him. He doesn't need it, or want it!

I'm interested - how did you "discover" Prince on YouTube? Were you just browsing through videos and happened to come across a Prince video? Given the billions of videos on YouTube, the chances of randomly discovering an artist are tiny. Most people get in to new music through recommendation- you know "Oh, have you heard this guy? Check him out, he's amazing!".

There are far more successful (and income producing!) ways of getting yourself out there and, believe me (as a record producer and label owner myself), sticking a video up on YouTube and hoping for the best is NOT the best way to do it!

fair enough, i am hardly a music expert

As far as Prince is concerned, i had heard the name a few times but i still didnt know his music. So one day i just typed in his name on youtube and came across a few songs (little red corvette, when doves cry). From that point, i became a fan

And I'm glad you did

Peace.

I dunno... I first heard one Regina Spektor song on the radio. I then went to YouTube, and watched some videos. Then, I bought a couple of those videos on iTunes. Next, I proceeded to HMV, and bought some cds. If she comes to town, I'm goin'.

YouTube was a pretty big part of that particular chain of events.

[Edited 1/22/11 13:10pm]

oh there is no doubt that yt is a major source for free advertisement.

eyewishuheaven said:

I dunno... I first heard one Regina Spektor song on the radio. I then went to YouTube, and watched some videos. Then, I bought a couple of those videos on iTunes. Next, I proceeded to HMV, and bought some cds. If she comes to town, I'm goin'.

YouTube was a pretty big part of that particular chain of events.

[Edited 1/22/11 13:10pm]

Fair enough, but that isn't what made her career. She had already signed to a major (WB) before YouTube was even around!

I'm certainly not saying that people can't discover a new artist for themeselves on YouTube, or check some stuff before they buy - but as for it being a "marketing tool", or something that will establish an artist's career, absolutely not!

Oh yeah, totally. But wasn't this about how Prince should be using YouTube to reach new fans? Prince's career doesn't need to be 'made', either. Possibly we've veered so far off course that this doesn't have anything to do with Prince anymore.

eyewishuheaven said:

I dunno... I first heard one Regina Spektor song on the radio. I then went to YouTube, and watched some videos. Then, I bought a couple of those videos on iTunes. Next, I proceeded to HMV, and bought some cds. If she comes to town, I'm goin'.

YouTube was a pretty big part of that particular chain of events.

[Edited 1/22/11 13:10pm]

Actually, this is quite similar to what I do.

This is kind of nerdy I guess, but if I read something about a new band online or in a magazine, and I can't find them on iTunes (or iTunes plays too few seconds of a song), I often find myself going to youtube to hear what their songs sound like. Then I will buy it off of itunes or buy the CD.

Noah & the Whale, Gypsy & The Cat, and City and Colour are all bands that I discovered and supported in this manner, among many. I've always viewed youtube as free advertising.