So, after years of battling the industry, Prince finally breaks free to do his own thing. He's not tied up with a record contract. He's also not around much on the charts, the radio, MTV, etc. He still tours, but plays in relatively small venues, mostly to hardcore, long-time fans. Some close observers believe he's adjusted to and happy with, or at least reconciled to, this state of affairs.

Now it's 2004, and Prince is boosting himself everywhere: he's opening the Grammy's, he's knockin' 'em dead at his RRHOF induction, he's on TV chat shows, he's on magazine covers, his video is in heavy rotation on MTV, he has signed to a big label for at least one album, he's touring the country playing in sold-out arenas...in other words, he's (re)embraced the industry with open arms. What's up?

Prince seems to be trying hard to reestablish himself commercially, but why? Does he need the money? Does he simply WANT the money? Does he want to get himself back into the public eye so more folks will pay attention to his future releases than would have if he'd continued to lurk on the periphery? (Though those future releases prob. won't sound like the hits he's using to lure casual fans to his current tour!) Maybe, to paraphrase a recent article, he's realized he's SUPPOSED to be a big star, and has decided to act accordingly? Is Mani pushing him to do it? (LOL I better stop!)

What do others think? Some may say there wasn't a master plan, but I disagree: Musicology seems to have been put together with the intention of hawking it to a label and then pushing it (hard) commercially. Thus the arena tour was scheduled (and the "hear the hits for the last time!" gimmick was introduced), and he began doing promotional appearances, even before the contract was signed.

How do others see things? The more you disagree, the more I'd like to read your reply! Fire away!!

I'm just glad he's trying to reach to more people...hopefully, we'll see fresh posters here as I'm tired of the same ole cynic posters like you know who...

I remember hearing Prince having said back in the late 80's that he'd like to start his career all over again and climb back to the top. I thought that's what he tried to do when he changed his name and I always thought that was the real force behind his battles with the industry. Maybe now that he's been counted out and written off, it's the exact time to step up to the challenge. What may surprise him the most is how easy it is for him to climb back to the top! Doesn't say much for the competition really. But, I'm not trying to dis any of the artists out there. Prince is such a talent that he can do whatever he pleases. He's just proving that all over again. Sony and the industry are just doing what they do when they smell a hit. Prince himself is driving, no WILLING this comback to be. It's really fun to watch, isn't it.

Paisley Park is an expensive building to upkeep?

A large part of good marketing is about timing. I think signing with a major for one album is what he'll probably do from time to time for the rest of his career - unless he can sign a regular recording contract on his own terms, and I think we know some of what that entails. The fact that the Grammy performance for the 20th anniversary of PR, and the RRHOF induction happened this year made it a good time to sign for distribution with a big wig like Sony.

It gets people talking about him again. Marketing an independent label album wouldn't get him nearly as much attention - a major label is going to get you airplay on mainstream radio because they'll pay for it, and in turn a video will get more attention.

Awareness is raised all around.

A quicker way to get more money is by touring, instead of relying on record sales, even if that disc is attached to a major label, because it's not guaranteed to sell. And he's been able to get people to pay high prices for tickets to his gigs since he first decided to leave the majors. He can always rely on touring.

Does he want the money? Well, who wouldn't? Does he "need" it? Only he can answer that.


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[This message was edited Sun Apr 18 0:25:10 2004 by Supernova]