Now I rolled my eyes like all of you did a few years back when Prince wrote his open letter to Madonna to help liberate his rights etc etc...

I'm sure she had a good laugh about it too, but look how the tables have turned.

Sony is now taking a cut of what they help Prince sell of Musicology!

Although it's not the same issue, WB is suing Maverick for unpaid fees.

Regardless of Michelle Branch, Alanis Morisette or whoever else has made them millions, they can turn their backs on their "clients" so quickly.

Now I know many of you will correct me to the specifics of this case but my point is just the geneal attitude towards crazy old Prince and well-respected "businesswoman" Madonna and how they chose to deal with their situations.

I wouldn't say the tables had turned - Prince wasn't exactly busking in the street (close, but not close enough)
They both have different ways to distribute their music - no biggie.
I'd give props to both of them for their business sense.

---

thebumpsquad said:

No neither of them were/are nearly poverty stricken, but i guess her diregard to an artist's struggle with the same label must sort of make her wish she'd taken the warnings seriously.

CapedCrusader said:

Thank you I have been saying this for weeks on end. Ever since the Madonna story broke. Prince was not a spoiled brat as many out here seem to want to make him. He was and is a genius who demanded what is his! I mean did you ever imagine that they would pull this shit with Madonna? I certainly did not. However it does help make Prince's point for writing slave on his face don't you think?
Peace

Where did this open letter appear? Does anyone have a copy of it, or at least the words?

I'm not sure is this is an abridged version or the full transcript...

January 10, 1999:
Open Letter 2 Madonna
from The Artist:

Madonna: artist 2 artist, eye am sure u understand the connection eye feel 2 my music. U more than any1 at Time Warner knows the patience and care with which we give birth 2 creation... and u maybe moreso than any1 knows how much a new artist longs 2 find a place amongst "the chosen few" 2 flaunt those creations (and at the same time put food on one's table). Music lawyers, managers and execs make deals best suited 4 their futures as well as urs in most cases... OWNERSHIP OF MASTER RECORDINGS IS ALMOST NEVER AN ISSUE! (let's remember, it was 1978!)

Eye dreamt of u and eye at the Grammy Awards and felt a need 2 write this letter 2 u. In my dream, eye approached u and asked u if u remembered me, and u said "sure"... u were on ur way up 2 receive 1 of numerous awards u will no doubt receive that night, and eye asked u 2 help me with my fight 2 retain ownership of my legacy and u said, "eye don't own ur masters, Time Warner does... if it was my company, u could have them."

"But eye say 2 u, dear sister, it IS ur company as long as u remain in their graces... 4 all Artists, Madonna, make a stand 4 what is RIGHT... surely they will listen 2 u!" In the dream u seemed 2 feel me and yet u were a bit non-committal... so as u approached the podium, eye followed u, and as we stood side by side, eye said, "b glad this a commercial break!" and eye walked offstage and looked 4 Wyclef. Interpretaions aside, artist 2 artist, "U Can Help Us... and eye know u will becuz u REMEMBER ME."
.....
(taken from http://www.love4oneanother.com in early 1999)

They DEFINITELY HAD SEX! YOU REMEMBER ME??? I don't Know Really what to Say. Madonna Should have helped Prince but Really Madonna Wasn't gonna Jepordize herself with Warner Bros.

Who knows if Madonna has even seen the letter.

It was put only put up for a limited time on Prince's own fan site right?

Even if she did hear about it somehow, Prince's business decisions and legal contract have nothing to do with her, I'm not surprised she didn't respond - that is *if* she even knew about it.

CapedCrusader said:

doubtful. i mean, she does know he's nuts. right or not, you don't generally take the advise of the insane.

So Insane he's Making Mad Money and is like number1 Everywhere..Well, Count me Into his INSANE Group..I Want In! Check this Out...Prince is an IMPASSIONED PERSON and when he Get's On something well I would say he gets that Fullnes of Feeling ya Know he wants Everyone to Agree or Feel It..Damn I don't Know him but I can Read him.. Ya just gotta be Intuned to his Feelings to Get where he's Coming from /leaning. He probably just well he Feels things and well even ESP or Spiritually he Knows Stuff. Ain't he Right Though? Mr Man don't Even get me Started cause well we all Know My Passion.. But well, Madonna she Don't Really Care bout No One . She always came off as Cold. I Loved her Style so Way Back but well Prince would be Happy to Know I didn't buy not one ticket to her Concert cause well I am Just Not Digging her Stuff anymore. I liked the Trashy Madonna and the Old School not this Trying to be all Cool while NOT Madonna... Please Madonna ....PLEASE!!!