09 Jul PRINCE Is A Free Agent As He & Universal End Publishing Deal
PRINCE and Universal Music Publishing have reached a mutual agreement in terminating their long standing publishing deal, Kiran Sharma announced this morning. The deal may have ended weeks ago but an announcement was not made until today.
PRINCE is also not signed to any record labels as well and considers himself a free agent when Drfunkenberry spoke to him about this late last month.
Sharma added “this is a great opportunity for PRINCE to consider fresh and new ideas for all his music.”
PRINCE expressed interest in trying new mediums to release music and relished in being totally a free agent.
PRINCE’s publishing is quite vast, spanning 35 years of hit music for himself and many hits for others. His hit albums include but are not limited to are: Musicology, 1999, Sign O’ The Times, Diamonds and Pearls, Parade, Around the World in a Day, Emancipation, Purple Rain, and the Batman Soundtrack.
He is currently producing the new Andy Allo “Superconductor” record set for release later this year.-DocFB
Question: In what new medium would you like to see PRINCE’s music released?
wayne moen
Posted at 13:16h, 09 Julyput it out on vynil,period,include a dvd and promote it on radio and newspapers,website,fansites ed.LETS GO!!!
Holland!!
Posted at 13:09h, 09 JulyI don’t know what to think of this…
Yes, he’s a free agent now. But isn’t he free since many years?
He can release a new record or whatever whenever he wants… for years!
What’s the difference?? Who will represent his publishing rights? Will he release his new record (or Andy’s) again with a newspaper?
I hope it will give Prince some new insides into his current situation.
We have a great artist who is able to sell out a large arena fast. Mostly on his reputation and back catalogue. Records sales are low, real media support is low (more on a hype basis). His back catalogue is in need of a remaster and his hard core fans are listening to his live shows, 80s outtakes and home made vinyl ‘remasters’ (and loving them!!).
What can Prince do?
I would say a combination of all the things above. Like MJ’s new Bad deluxe box. A remaster with outtakes, demo’s and a live dvd!! Now, image that Prince would do the same… he would need a 5-disk/2dvd set for every album!! A remastered album, early demo’s, outtakes from the same ear that didn’t make the album… a live dvd of a complete show and the audio on cd. Probably one of his famous after shows!!
And to make it all work, he needs to hire an independent compiler with a card blanche and the keys to the vault… and a great professional promoter to spread the word! That would be something!!
… oh, yeah, and release a great new album to show people how it’s done 😉
Michael C. Esver
Posted at 13:08h, 09 JulyPerhaps Prince could find a way to repackage his music.
Give fans different options:
CD or LP cost you $12.00
CD, LP, DVD with live in studio sessions & outtakes: $50
CD, LP, DVD, Picture Portfolio, Pre New Music Release Online (stream only) $125
Nadia Georgen
Posted at 12:33h, 09 JulyIn what new medium would you like to see PRINCE’s music released: Live in my living room!! ;0)
Nah just kidding: i would be grateful if he would released anything… i dont care in what new medium! pwwwetty ppwwweeeezzz Prince!!
Jays Addiction
Posted at 12:02h, 09 JulyAs it’s only his hardcore fans who have been buying his albums for the past 15 years, why not give them want they want! Remastered reissues of all albums from 1979 – 1991, Live Box set of DVD’s and outtake sets! I really can’t take another friend of mine telling me they just got a copy of Prince’s new album free with a packet of gum!
Jill
Posted at 11:25h, 09 JulyMPLS has defiantly hit the “nail on da head”..would love to have a new and improved NPGMC (Sam?). In additional NEW MUSIC, NEW MUSIC, NEW MUSIC..available in download and CD format. That works for me!
Anonymous
Posted at 11:18h, 09 JulyWe all dream of a huge CD Box Set full of unreleased Tracks, bigger than crystal ball. We all want the raw and untouched originals, right?
Qaid Amir Ali
Posted at 10:53h, 09 July… co-sign Mpls, I’m with ya
Wv Daze
Posted at 10:47h, 09 July“Spoken Word Selections” His lyrics, and vocal delivery, have always been thought provoking and timeless. A CD with emphasis on his words with light music as a supporting comfort would be awesome! peace*
Mpls
Posted at 09:56h, 09 JulyREMASTERS 3cds each ! and the return of a real and good NPGCLUB !!!
and crystal BALL n° 2 ! 🙂
Free the music for real … Make money with your reals fans … for true exclusives …
Thanks P. !
Tannis
Posted at 09:43h, 09 JulyIn some way, Prince has always been “free”, being his own person, and he always seems to make things work out for the best! I would love to see a new CD come out, that is how I like to buy my music. However, times are changing and there are so many people who only download their music, so that needs to be available to all people. Younger fans would love it!
I don’t think any kind of message board or club is necessary, we can see in the comments here alone, that people still like to be negative, nasty and judgemental. HOWEVER, if Prince would like me to come and work for him, I would be more than happy to manage a web site or blog for him, that I take care of, directed by him of course! Just saying! 🙂 Thanks Doc! Have a great week!
vicki
Posted at 09:40h, 09 JulyFirst- self sustaining website for new music. merchandise. tour news (produce something worth buying that you could actually use. I’m sure musicians would like to purchase sheet music. etc.)
Second – release remastered singles with NEW b-sides like he used to (with extended mixes only on vinyl)
Third – concept album every blue moon cause “what else is there to say”?
Fourth – this is just advice on a personal note. Let your music be your legacy.
pengedragon
Posted at 09:18h, 09 Julyhe should just set up a proper website, that wont disappear after 1 record
use that to release the stuff he wants and the stuff we want, let us d/l the shows and release remastered stuff together with blu rays and dvds
he gets his money and we get what we want, everyone lives happily ever after
i seriously dont understand why this hasnt already happened with the most innovative artist of our times
purplekat
Posted at 09:15h, 09 JulyPlease bring back the NPG Music Club (or something similar) since that was the best way for fans to be able to download Prince’s music and videos, and it was still under Prince’s control as far as what was available. I would suggest that he also have a store on the webste from which we could purchase actual cd’s and dvd’s (instead of just downloading them). When we had the music club, it seemed like Prince really cared about what his fans (“fams”) wanted and he appeared to enjoy being more in touch with them (including allowing access to soundchecks and prime seating at concerts). Nowadays, although he is still performng regularly, he seems much more distant and out of touch with those of us that have been following his music for over 3 decades now, and only seems concerned with keeping the casual “just play the hits” type of fans happy. (NPGMC 4 ever!) 🙂
Anna-Lisa Smith
Posted at 09:08h, 09 Julyamazing news thanx 4 sharing
suzy six
Posted at 09:04h, 09 JulyI know nothing of publishing or distributing. i DO know that i want a new album with dvd. Documentaries and concert footage. I’ll even buy Andy’s new cd! People Pleaser sounds funky and her remake of Wild World is beautiful. Whatever u do, i’ll support u! I know it’s frustrating 4 a lot of ppl, but i bet it’s frustrating 2 Prince too! We Prince Fams want a lot! There’s SO much of his music that we’re spoiled now. I DO think there should be another NPGMC!!! I would LOVE that!!! Do it! I’ll be there!
Anonymous
Posted at 08:41h, 09 JulyHow can Prince ever win the TRUST of his fans again after all the poor customer service, abandoned projects and services and lots of PR bullshit that only teenagers still believe in ?
Make it REAL, Prince. Whatever media you want to publish in, make it last and make it tangible.
And please, please remember that the majority of your fans are adults, with families and jobs, with responsibilities and finite bank accounts !
conga777
Posted at 08:33h, 09 Julysomething about the RHCP (red hot chill peppers): their fans can download @ livechilipeppers dot com EVERYthing from ALL live shows… this is a pretty cool way to care about fans 😉 no DRM or any other stupid restrictions.
fan friendly? not with prince – this will never happen … sad and meanwhile i think i wasted 27 years of my value time and money for boring Radio-Hits-only-concerts with being fan of this egomaniac in his ivory-tower . . .
TheTeacher ;)
Posted at 08:31h, 09 JulyI won’t bite and won’t jump up & down with these “news”. We’re used to read “Xclusive” news but with no results in the end ! He needs to build up a hype over his career ? Who’s left to follow him? The same ones as 2 or 3 decades ago. He always chooses the worst way to “promote” himself and to the mainstream he’s a grown up wacko ! So, i expect nothing. If some new music comes out, i’ll get it, for my collection and to collect dust together with his work of the last decade+
Black Dynamite
Posted at 08:27h, 09 JulyPrince could make a HUGE amount of money by releasing 3CD DELUXE editions of all his albums (REMASTERS (to improve the sound quality of the cheap actual CDs, not changing the music itself / OUTTAKES (originals sessions from the vault) / LIVES (each LP Tour: we know Prince records everything he plays… from day one)
DVD could B added 2 if it’s imaginable (we know Prince films each Tour from year one -including making-of documentaries made on the spot-)
… and to make sure everybody knows Prince still got it, a great NEW ALBUM should arrive on the market as SOON as possible, with an internet website (more than 3 months lifetime, please !) and a “beyond the hits Tour” to promote all this package…
Just dreamin’.. Wake me up if 10% of this happens in the next 10 years
Thanks for the news Dr Funk
MikeA
Posted at 08:16h, 09 JulyIn what medium do I want to see Prince’s music released? I am “old-school” and always want to have physical items, CD’s, vinyl.
BUT, in this day and age there simply HAS to be a download model as well and Prince is coming across more and more like the old codger who has let technology pass him by when he was a leader in this movement with the NPGMC.
Ideally, I’d like to see Prince set-up a high quality download service, offering lossless, FLAC files, as well as mp3 at a cheaper price. The NPGMC was a great, fun idea and one of the few online ventures that worked well for him for awhile. Then maybe for a set amount, offer pressed CD’s of this material as an order on demand for those who want them.
The KEY though is to get PROFESSIONAL people to run this service for you. And PAY THEM to do this. Prince is getting cheaper and cheaper and more money obsessed the older he gets. Why pay for an official website when you can have people (suckers?) do your work for you for free? For a legend like Prince, it is outrageous to not even have a professional, official website. There are tons of companies who excel at just this type of thing. If he leaves a download model to star struck fans who are willing to do it for free, it will be a MESS. Do it right or don’t bother. There is so much opportunity out there for Prince to be a leader again in distributing his music to those who want it. Sadly, my confidence he will pull it off is not very high. Prove me wrong P.
The Cross
Posted at 08:13h, 09 JulyHow long has it been since Prince released an album? The good releases are done by bootlegg labels – Montreux 2009 double DVD out on the flea market.
So when will the fans see a real remastered collection of the old albums with outtakes and remixes? I am not talking about altered lyrics which I am not interested in. I no way.
And what about concerts filmed? Is it so hard to release a complet unaltered concert from every tour?
The emphasis is on UNALTERED. Meaning pure live. Keep that in mind.
And now bring out a good single that smashes and hire a decent young director and submit to his creative ideas.
And please if you ask for remixers. Go out and find the really great guys and girls from today and NOT some strange dude out of the swiss mountains or even someone who looks cool – because he lives in Paris.
Cheers and bring on the funk – soon. Real funk that stinks.
Cheryl
Posted at 08:00h, 09 JulyA new website run by Dr. Funkenberry!!!
No message boards cluttered with the negativity of so-called fans like some sites we have known. Just great music and videos to purchase! Downloads & CD/DVD’s. Blu-ray DVD’s. Some cool merchandise.
& PRE-SALE tickets to shows/soundchecks/aftershows!!!!!
A VIP membership fee can be charged to gain access to purchase rare and unreleased material from the vault and old concert footage. Desperate fans find other channels of acquiring his music. Now fans can purchase music directly from the man & put the bootleggers out of business. Hardcore fans WILL purchase and cherish this music.
MORE SHOWS PLEASE!! MORE MUSIC!!!
Oh, and did I mention PRE-SALE TIX?!! ; )
Terrible.G
Posted at 07:30h, 09 JulyAs a lifetime member of the NPG, NPGMC (Crystal Ball, 2 copies me!), and yes even lotusflow3r.com (got my tshirt that’s better than most!), all I want is to be able to BUY your stuff. I want in the vault. I want to see the concerts you’ve filmed. Don’t wait until you’re gone. Please let me do it NOW.
Lisa
Posted at 07:24h, 09 Julyas long as he shares his genius music with the world i dont care how it gets out there as long as it gets out and he is happy. his voice and message needs to be heard. the world needs more prince!!!!!!