Wonder how Warner Bros. feel about this, jeejee?

That's great news. Rogifan-- Who are you really? I'm sure you're more than just a fan. Do you work for Paisley Park or were you in some way affliated with Prince? Are you a family member? Just wondering.

Superfan1984 said:

http://www.billboard.com/...publishing

.

[Edited 12/7/16 1:43am]

I don't know if one major is much different than another at this point, although anecdotally i'd say Universal tend to do good reissues compared to, say, Sony.

I'm just glad they have moved forward with this, another step closer to vault songs getting a release.

[Edited 11/2/16 15:31pm]

It's an administrative deal, that's all. It wouldn't surprise me if Universal won on the basis of taking a lower percentage than other interested publishers.

[Edited 11/2/16 15:43pm]

jaawwnn said:

3rdeyeboy said:

rogifan said:

Universal Music Publishing Group has been selected as worldwide publisher for Prince’s catalogue of songs. The agreement with the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson will see UMPG take responsibility for servicing and administering Prince’s catalogue, working closely with Prince’s estate to find new outlets for his music. UMPG previously served as Prince’s publisher from 2001 to 2014. Read more here: http://www.musicweek.com/...gue/066430

I was just going to post this news. At least it's a movement forward. Whether or not it's in the right direction only time will tell.

So does this mean NPGPublishing no longer exists?

Noodled24 said:

So does this mean NPGPublishing no longer exists?

no

but if his estate decides what is released ..why did they put together that crap coming out this month?

luvsexy4all said:

but if his estate decides what is released ..why did they put together that crap coming out this month?

It may have already been in the works before Prince died and it will bring in needed income. We are also getting the remastered Purple Rain which Prince was supposed to be working on with WB so I assume a part of the deal was to work with them on remastered and greatest hits packages. WB also was involved in the distrubution of AOA while the project was on NPG records. I would hope NPG records continues to be the label while WB handles the marketing and promotion.

rogifan said:

So PRNFamily re-tweeted this tonight. Is there a message they're trying to send UMPG or Londell? 🤔

Could be directed at Londell and UMP but someone has to handle the administration and sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

laurarichardson said:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PRINCE_SONG_CATALOG?SITE=WNYC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The Associated Press is also reporting that Universal Music will administer Prince's songs.

Noodled24 said:

So does this mean NPGPublishing no longer exists?

Don't confuse two different things. "publishing" is probably throwing folks off. The line says, "responsibility for servicing and administering Prince’s catalogue, working closely with Prince’s estate to find new outlets for his music."

NPG Publishing is who owns the songs, which presumably belongs to the estate itself now. UMG will handle the compiling and distribution and promotion of things.

I don't mind this arrangement. I think it'll do well, and he's done business with Universal before with 3121.

Couple of interesting notes:

When Time Warner was splitting itself back up from Time Warner Music, Prince was with UMG for 3121.

UMG eventually bought EMI, which Prince used to release Emancipation in 1996.

http://www.nytimes.com/20....html?_r=0

[Edited 11/2/16 23:34pm]

jjam said:

It's an administrative deal, that's all. It wouldn't surprise me if Universal won on the basis of taking a lower percentage than other interested publishers.

[Edited 11/2/16 15:43pm]

Remember this ain't Prince negotiating no more.
Other people may be suppler.
Hopefully some other basis, like proper cataloguing and mastering, went into the negotiation.
Hey, one can dream.

TrivialPursuit said:

Noodled24 said:

So does this mean NPGPublishing no longer exists?

Don't confuse two different things. "publishing" is probably throwing folks off. The line says, "responsibility for servicing and administering Prince’s catalogue, working closely with Prince’s estate to find new outlets for his music."

NPG Publishing is who owns the songs, which presumably belongs to the estate itself now. UMG will handle the compiling and distribution and promotion of things.

I don't mind this arrangement. I think it'll do well, and he's done business with Universal before with 3121.

Couple of interesting notes:

When Time Warner was splitting itself back up from Time Warner Music, Prince was with UMG for 3121.

UMG eventually bought EMI, which Prince used to release Emancipation in 1996.

Good albums. Let's hope this kind of cosmic spree continues.
Me want me Cosmic Day.

rogifan said:

jaawwnn said:

I don't know if one major is much different than another at this point, although anecdotally i'd say Universal tend to do good reissues compared to, say, Sony.

I'm just glad they have moved forward with this, another step closer to vault songs getting a release.

[Edited 11/2/16 15:31pm]

What about Columbia? Dylan's Bootleg series...
It mostly boils down to the head of the (sub-)label.
WBR and Rhino, same deal. Rhino is very good,
but it belongs to the Warner Group.

laurarichardson said:

rogifan said:

laurarichardson said:

Reading the Billboard article about the publishing deal this morning Universal is saying the world will now have access to Prince's music so no more exclusivity with just Tidal however other streaming services don't payout as much and Universal will get money from the streaming revenues. I think the family is upset about this and may have wanted to stick with Tidal and self administer the rights they way Prince was doing. Who knows once the family takes over they may get their way down the road.

It's possible that they can negotiate a better deal. Anyway I hope his music comes to other platforms. That way a whole new generation of potential fans can experience his music. I would assume they can stipulate that free (ad-supported) services don't get his music. I think we need to disabuse ourselves of the notion that every business decision Prince made in his career was the right one. He went nearly 20 years without a major label and pretty much all of that music isn't available anywhere but Tidal. How many people are missing out on great music because of how stingy he was with distribution? Also it was reported that WB wanted to release the deluxe PR album before the HnR albums as they thought it would generate buzz/interest in Prince again which might make people more likely to check out his new work. Prince said no. IMO WB wasn't always wrong and it was his time with WB that allowed him to be without a major label for 20 years. [Edited 11/3/16 4:42am]

Yes, it would be good because more people will hear the music but you realize that the estate will be lucky if they get half a penny a stream. Maybe even less once Universal get their cut. I just wish Prince had put it all on Tidal and lived to get some money out it. He really moved so slow in the last two years of his life with some of the things he could have been doing with Tidal. I am still puzzled by this. He could have done live concerts and put all the unreleashed stuff on Tidal two years ago.

[Edited 11/3/16 4:46am]