Prince, Prince, Prince...what were you thinking? Who was managing your career? Oh yeah, you were. Ok, so some bad, shady deals were going on at Warner Bros. Records. You wanted ownership...and deserved ownership...but didn't have it. Well, bad business deals are never corrected by even worse business deals.

Since signing an agreement of sorts with the Universal Group, Prince has become much less invisible. Walking into my nearby Virgin Megastore, I was surprised to be greeted by a large video and product display of 'Prince Live at the Aladdin'. Every person walking into this store was confronted with someone they thought long since faded into obscurity. I've also noticed Prince's image popping up on many MSN ads, print ads and news quirks. Suddenly, Prince has PR. Now, don't get this misconstrued as some "Prince is due for a great, gigantic comeback!" type of thread. I think those days, from his own doing, are long past. I'm just incredibly surprised at how much more in your face Prince is with some major players backing him.

If he would have just realized this back when he needed to...if Prince's ego wasn't taller than he is...he may have never fallen so far. Yes, I still think his work is fantastic, wonderful and all that shit. Unfortunately, most people don't even know he's still around. Perhaps, sticking it out with Warners until his contract was up would have been a better business idea. He may have had that major backing all along and may not have faded so much. He may have even been popular enough to lay on some strong arm tactics and negotiate a better deal for himself, with Warners , including gaining control of his previous work. Instead, he handled it his way. Quickly, arrogantly and poorly.

I hope he learns from these past experiences and this current experience. Sadly, I can still see him screwing this up. Blaming Universal for any pitfalls...much like the Arista/Clive Davis scenario. An ego larger than 5'2" is a huge roadblock.

wizardofmath said:

I don't think its a major label that is making a difference...i think the DVD is successful because it showcases what PRince does best-PLAY LIVE. It is undisputed (except by whiny naysayers) that PRINCE is the master of the live show-today, yesterday, 2morrow.

True, major labels have promotion teams working around the clock, & the connections to print/show whatever bullshit they want in the paper, or segments on T.V. I don't think because its more visible to the mass populus that it a bigger success then something not seen as much. Maybe its my Punk rock idealism-but support the fans who support you. If we want to find it easily in any record store (make it easy 4 us) If we're willing to buy it from U (sell it & give it) its about your audience support-not screens at Virgin. Major labels are like Fast Food Chains (quick service, mostly bad food, & the good food is bad for u so u feel guilty- u want a big mac-look around you'll find one)
I like PRINCE's small restaraunt vibe (menu changes from time 2 time, service is slower, but it's your favorite place to eat-so u feel like its your place)

my 2 sense

Nero

PRINCE DOES NOT NEED IT.

neronava said:

So, what is the reason for the Rave dvd not fairing as well in sales? It, too, showcased what Prince does best...and that was around the much hyped 1999 revival. There's no getting around the fact that an artist who is supported by a company with some leverage is an artist in an envious position. Not that major labels are saints, don't get me wrong. But Prince has been in a lot of places recently (including a screening for this new dvd...a pretty big deal!) and that is thanks to the push and shove of Universal. Would he really have a number 2 dvd release if he had to rely on his own distribution and advertising?

wizardofmath said:

It sucked...most complaints for the new DVD-is technical, where the RAVE one had bad word of mouth...it wasn't even filmed on new years, it was all staged...I was there. And it came across as phony...the new one is hot.

wizardofmath said:

Everybodys ego is taller than Prince.

wizardofmath said:

AMEN! I completely agree.Prince really should have never went to "war" with Warners.He should have never changed his name to that stupid symbol,and gave them mediocre albums like 'Come' and 'Chaos And Disorder' just to fulfill his contract.He should have never wrote "slave" on his face and badmouth them in every interview.All of those things did alot of damage to his own career in the 90s.It would have been better (for all involved) if he had just said... "You know,I signed this contract so I'm gonna honor it.I'm gonna give my fans some kickass albums,and work with Warners to promote each one.I'll do some amazing tours too.Then,when my contract ends,I'll be independent.I'll even try to negotiate with Warners to get my master recordings back".

If he had behaved that way,who knows how his career would have turned out? The 90s probably would have been a great decade for him and his fans.Then,at the end of the decade when the contract ended,he might have been able to successfully negotiate with Warners for his masters.

DavidEye said:

Agreed, but it's all if, if, if...

I also think that a major label doesn't necessarily make a difference. Prince was with EMI, BMG and Arista after his recording contract with Warner had ended. The albums(Emancipation, NPS and Rave) he released with these labels were simply not good enough to stay in the spotlights and recognized for his amazing talent and artistry. He tried to stay 'popular' tho', hard, everybody knows that, but that failed miserably. After the entire Rave fiasco he went supposedly completely 'indie', but apparantly that's not what he wants and so far it has failed too.

Now he is with Universal music and I congratulate him and them with a number 2 Billboard spot for his new DVD. However, I don't think it will last long and make much of a difference. Universal probably has done the lion share of the work to have it promoted sufficiently, but that's not all there is to getting widespread recognition for his work again. Prince will have to go back to making kick ass masterpiece albums, like in the 80's, if he wants to be recognized again by the general public. Plus he will definitly need to keep his hardcore fan base together and at peace, which is something he hasn't done the last couple of years. So I don't see him getting back on track anytime soon.