Hey, I recently watched this documentary on AXS TV called "Slave Trade: How Prince Re-Made the Music Industry" and it really clarified the whole Prince/WB feud for me and a deeper appreciation for what Prince was going through in the '90s and how ahead of his time he really was.

I have a whole new respect for how much of a pioneer he was and how he was willing to face ridicule and possibly damage to his career over what he believed in. At the time I was a teenager I didn't understand all the "ins" and "outs" of what was going on I just knew he wanted out of his contract and wanted to let everyone know about it. Now however, I understand the finer print and I think it was admirable how he wanted to let other artists know what happened to him and encouraging others to get educated on "selling" their work.

He was right about the internet revolutionalizing the music industry and even though as a consumer I love having free access to things like Youtube but when one makes a living off their creativity that should also be respected and if people find value in an artist's work then they should be compensated. It is all just kinda mind boggling how much Prince willingly took on and how much stress he must have been dealing with during that time (not to mention the stuff in his personal life). I always though Prince was SO strong and brave and had an unwavering confidence in himself. That I will always respect and admire. This documentary put a lot in perspective of what an incredible person he truly was.

And Bart will be along to tell you Prince wasn't the only/first person to do these things in 3-2...

Here's a thread on it: http://prince.org/msg/7/407884 from four years ago with more 411.

And these have some good discussion, too:

http://prince.org/msg/7/409036

http://prince.org/msg/7/434497

[Edited 8/15/18 9:12am]

Camileyun said:

Yes, he was very much ahead of his time. And that was in the 90s! And, he was right! Now artists either have to tour or sell out to commercials to make any real money. He faces ridicule even today, but how else was he going to get his message out when facing such a huge and powerful industry?

Exactly.

Krystalkisses said:

Hey, I recently watched this documentary on AXS TV called "Slave Trade: How Prince Re-Made the Music Industry" and it really clarified the whole Prince/WB feud for me and a deeper appreciation for what Prince was going through in the '90s and how ahead of his time he really was.

I have a whole new respect for how much of a pioneer he was and how he was willing to face ridicule and possibly damage to his career over what he believed in. At the time I was a teenager I didn't understand all the "ins" and "outs" of what was going on I just knew he wanted out of his contract and wanted to let everyone know about it. Now however, I understand the finer print and I think it was admirable how he wanted to let other artists know what happened to him and encouraging others to get educated on "selling" their work.

He was right about the internet revolutionalizing the music industry and even though as a consumer I love having free access to things like Youtube but when one makes a living off their creativity that should also be respected and if people find value in an artist's work then they should be compensated. It is all just kinda mind boggling how much Prince willingly took on and how much stress he must have been dealing with during that time (not to mention the stuff in his personal life). I always though Prince was SO strong and brave and had an unwavering confidence in himself. That I will always respect and admire. This documentary put a lot in perspective of what an incredible person he truly was.

Just when we thought we couldnt love him more...