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?
John Tate
Posted at 14:36h, 02 Septemberi dont care what the man does. because whatever Prince does it always turns out good to me. he can play in my back yard if he wants too!
Anika
Posted at 23:18h, 07 AugustI don’t care, just as long as u keep making ur music and I get to listen to it, I’ll be one happy gal xx
Evie Lopez
Posted at 15:23h, 30 JulyPeople,
Listen, if by chance this is read by The Artist understand my passion for the music you have master. I have been digging the sound since 1978. 35 years later, I have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I don’t have time to Twitter nor Facebook. I hate to learn anything new that will add additional time to my already fullfilling, busy life. I still have many albums that I listen to. Whats wrong with simplicity? My wonderful husband has access to purchase his Eagles gear, Mets gear and whatever other sport that he requires to wear to watch and support his teams. I am a Prince fan from an era that enjoys music and I want to sport my gear (music) too. I want my grandchildren to inherent the love of Prince’s music. Just like he wants the kids to inheirent his loves…..its call tradition! It doesn’t matter to me what price I pay to be able to listen to a piece of my favorite music. I just to be able to do so! And i want the world to be in the know of my passion. I am proud of it!
Alessandro Tinchini
Posted at 11:50h, 28 JulyWell, nice to hear that. Can say I expected this and I’m glad. What medium? Well, why not a good old compact disc?
XtianInMn
Posted at 08:36h, 24 JulyModernaire…don’t be so sure. I’ve personally suggested many things to Prince’s
people or thru online requests and seen many of them come to light.
I’m not going to elaborate but some were regarding Batman, “Johnny”, Vibe Magazine, a Celebration performance, an npgmc audio mix, and a VH1 performance. Yeah, he may not read all of these, but we wouldn’t be wasting our time if we thought he didn’t at all.
And by the way, I live in MN – with no ties to Paisley Park at all – and I’ve attended countless after shows. He’s performed quite a few songs I’ve requested including Purple Rain on piano. Something he’d hadn’t done in years…until I requested it on npgmc. Coincidence? Maybe. But I know better.
Modernaire
Posted at 22:51h, 23 July“Junkie
July 14th, 2012 – 15:11
It would be great to see all of his albums released as high res audio perhaps Sacd or bluray and mixed in 5.1 surround.
Totally uncompressed and straight from the masters.”
You, U keep dreaming.
Prince doesn’t even know what SACD is. Or care for Bluray, he’d have to play with WB. And that aingonnahappen.
If Prince was EVER interested in higher quality audio, you would of seen Prince classic albums on MFSL. Just listen to how awful Rave is pushed audio wise, dreadful.
Modernaire
Posted at 22:44h, 23 JulyYou fans are dreaming’.
Dellusional.
Firstly, you actually think Prince reads these posts. And if he does, does he or better yet, has he actually listened to you?
He didn’t sell 2Oten TO YOU directly, he sold it to newspapers, thats how he made his money.
Did you pay what was it, $75 dollars for a membership at LotusFlowr3?
What you get?
Fams! Prince don’t like you… I mean… U.
IMAX… prfft… yeah, who’s going to see Prince in IMAX today… please.
WB is like the devil for Prince, the plantation as I think he’s called it. Go back?!
WB can’t do anything unless they work with Prince and Prince isn’t going to remaster Dirty Mind and have the Steve Hoffmans of the world TOUCH his masters.
Prince has said he’s remastered them…yeah, HOT like heck all tracks in the red meters…!
XtianinMn
Posted at 21:31h, 23 JulyI posted previously, but I’d like to add a few more comments/suggestions:
The IMAX idea mentioned by Red Bird is great! Would love to see that…!
Also, Netflix is still booming and commercial free…(yay !! I have kids and loath the never ending ads on reg tv/cable). Doing a mass release of past/future Netflix only concerts would be awesome – kicking it off with a never seen before 2013 concert – later to be released on DVD.
My other idea was streaming radio all day. If I mentioned this previously I apologize – but think of the endless possibilities: related artists, friends of Prince’s(Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, Larry Graham, Chaka Khan), r&b, funk, soul, old school jams, interviews, new cd promo’s, concert promo’s, new video promo’s(and where to find them), music classes with the masters of funk/soul, educational seminars with the likes of Dr Cornell West, Tavis Smiley(similar to the Celebration discussions) … and the list goes on and on.
Go P!!
Xtian
red bird
Posted at 20:01h, 23 JulyI would like to see princes music on the IMAX theater, for all us um people that never get to concerts or australia, or Paris or London, you know, the type, it be great to get the younger people to experience the coolest music of all time!
Myles Matisse
Posted at 18:33h, 18 JulyIn what NEW medium would I like to see Prince release future recordings? Well, first off, I’d like his music released in CD and vinyl format to wrecka stows still. Also, having a deluxe CD/DVD set like The Original 7ven did on future releases would be the right way to go as well which would include documentaries and interviews on the making of as well as maybe a couple informal acoustic jams or aftershow jams added on of songs from said release.
I’d also like to see Prince get back with Warner Brothers Records under a new agreement that Prince would own all masters. Being back with Warners would be a great thing because he could also have their Warner Brothers Film Studio as his playground to make more films (Purple Rain sequel, etc,.) and maybe even a TV show or TV special. Being back with Warners would grant Prince major, major promotion, advertising and distribution machines that he just wouldn’t be able to do on his own. Warner Brothers was family to Prince from day one. Like the prodigal son, it would be wonderful karma if Prince returned to his WB home.
“NEW” mediums? Well, for sure I think it would be a smart move for Prince to create his own official PrinceVEVO channel on YouTube, letting them put ALL his music videos from the first album to NOW so that the world and today’s youth and the next generation of fams could be enlightened, inspired, touched and entertained by the visual masterpieces that are all his music videos. That being written, Prince and Warner Brothers should team up to release multiple DVDs in the coming few years: past live concerts, multiple DVDs of his many music videos and more!
Another medium he should embrace again is iTunes and other digital file outlets on the internet to get his music out to the world in 21st century fashion. Also, making his music videos available on iTunes to purchase would be a great thing for fams.
Nuff said.
B C
Posted at 12:32h, 18 JulyA return to newspaper and/or internet based distribution, however with a site that is free to access, users just pay for downloads, bit like the 2003-2006 NPGMC….i’m sure he could make a lot that way and its a good way of reaching fans all over the world.
The store could have current or new releases plus a section with remastered vault material / or a selection of live concert downloads for the die hard fans, this way you can cater for all fans and reclaim money that the bootleg market seems to be creaming off instead of going to its rightful owner…
Warner Brothers 4Ever
Posted at 01:32h, 17 JulyWow.
So, its like 1993 again. Free agent… able to release music via new mediums, or … multimedia ventures and stuff.
Why did Prince for the most part of his “classic” era release such stellar music…no wait, make and perform such amazing body of work?
Because Prince could focus on being Prince and not worry or concern himself with ALL the logistics of developing, supporting a recording artist. That was left to WB or the record company.
Today, Prince wears many hats… music suffers, its vapid, superficial, uninspired drivel ever since Emancipation, or heck, Exodus.
And it ain’t goin’ to get bettah.
And no fans, he has no business sense. Lotosflowers anyone? Crystal Ball???… hmmm????
Please fam^ Prince isn’t going that modern with Soundcloud or any Apps. Don’t hope to hip-ify Prince that much. Prince is too old school and at this point really, not very forward thinking NO MATTER how MUCH he or his manager(s) say he is.
But I will say Prince is clever sneaky in business dealings. Especially selling his 2OTAN album NOT to fans but directly to a newspaper, thus making instant millions OUT of the USA… mind you, and not ONE sold to fans. He got paid. But not by you… excuse me fammies, U.
So I expect more of same kind of sneaky sales sneaks of the same kind.
And “Vault Intellectual Property”?
If its still even salvageable, probably all lost.
Anyway, whole other topic.
Some of you also on a last note… I mean, really, have you READ yourselves with all that talk of eternity and and all kinds of weird fam creepiness?
Jeepers.
Junkie
Posted at 15:11h, 14 JulyIt would be great to see all of his albums released as high res audio perhaps Sacd or bluray and mixed in 5.1 surround.
Totally uncompressed and straight from the masters.
25
Posted at 10:00h, 13 JulyHe can always go back to vinyl. I miss having albums with the cover art, but I still like my other idea, but since time moves forward and not backwards, we’re in the digital age of music, which is the easiest and fastest way for fans to get access to artists music these days, by either iturnes method or ordering online, without having to wait on line at a store, but either way, music can still be sold in stores the old fashion way.
So there’s so many ways on obtaining access to music. I still like my original idea better with having music gift cards obtainable at major outlets, similar to phone cards. Prince can partner up with Visa, American Express, Mastercard gift cards, and even go as far as Gold and Platinum cards. He can offer all types of music, like live concert performances, audios of concerts, current music, music with associated artists, etc. He can have the Prince and NPG logo, on the cards. specifically dedicated for Prince music to download from a dedicated online Prince & the NPG link only. He can have the price ranging from $5 to $500 music gift cards. He can also have them at outlets like Bestbuy, Target, Walmart, any music store chain available for purchase at these outlets, so that the purchaser can have a selection of music to purchase, depending on the value of the card.
Calvin
Posted at 01:43h, 13 JulyWhy not go old school? Or at least the current school I’m enrolled in. I’d love to see remastered cds with tons of bonus stuff. Queen recently re-released their 15 stuido albums as two cd sets with remastered sound. So since Queen is done let’s move on to Prince…(I’ve always relished in the fact that I love the royal family of rock…Queen, Prince and Elvis (the king). Prince is my all time favorite, beautiful music that will rock on through eternity. Heaven’s even bobbin’ their heads. Why go for the cloud or digital downloads which is cool on one hand, but totally useless on the other. Sites come and go, the digital age isn’t the end all be all. I want to have something to show for the money I spend. A real cd case, a real cd and a booklet to read through and a collection that I can pass on for generations to come. With music going the way of the keyboard with keystrokes replacing musical brushstrokes, it’s important for us to educate future geneartions on Real Music. So I think we should start with the best of the best and put out a collections of albums that would put all other pretenders to shame. If digital is one avenue though Might I suggest an itunes type store with ONLY songs by Prince from his vault. I’d gladly spend .99 to 1.29 for an unreleased prince song…I’d buy thousands if they were available to me. Prince always says his songs are like his friends, well I’d love to invite them all over to my house for a listening party.
XtianInMpls
Posted at 20:17h, 12 JulyAdding to my previous post…two more ideas for my sweet Prince:
Would love to see him really connect with his fans thru a simple mailing list. Pay a fee thru a phone # and/or website and send out cd’s/dvd’s/singles/albums/concert promos…or whatever, via airmail. No artwork necessary. Just great music for music lovers…I’d sign up for that in a heartbeat!!
The other idea I had was to get in touch with Spike Lee or John Singleton or another great director who wants to make a great concert film ! … let the bakers bake the bread 😉 Ouwwahh !
Thanasi
Posted at 20:12h, 12 JulyDoc, you spoke to prince? That’s great 🙂
I unlike the previous poster Angela R. Prefer to be able to hold my records.
I want to be able to flick through the booklet, I want to make sure I don’t scratch the cd. I don’t like this whole ‘get your music through iTunes thing’.
What kind of mediums does he have in mind?
He has made a lot of new fans from this w2 tour. He should really make sure the Music is accessible to these people. Can’t wait for some new jams! and not the marmalade kind 😉 !!
Tauros
Posted at 17:39h, 12 JulyThis is Fantastic News! I agree with Angela on a few things but as an artist not signed to a label or publishing deal. I enjoy the free aspects of doing anything I can dream up. Prince on the other hand is an established artist who can command large sums of money and he also has so much vault intellectual property it’s crazy. If he was able to start some type of video rental service so that we may view past live experiences and videos this may be lucrative for all parties. There’s so much he can do. Go PRINCE!
Chocolatsis65
Posted at 15:47h, 12 JulyTo the NAY sayers I say nay! I wasn’t even going to comment and then I was soakin in the tubby last and I started to sing “Be glad that u r free there’s many a man whose not, be glad 4 what u have baby what cha got”
I kinda agree with angela:/ I’m always telling people to get out of their heads and get more into their bodies actually cuz I sees some messed up souls ew, but my sweet Prince lives 4ever in he’s heart MattDamon remember haha! That was so funny! tis true tho…
And Being a JW makes him MORE reasonable not less! He will be fine and do what HE wants. “go away now bless u”
An gel la R.
Posted at 00:33h, 12 JulyIn what new medium would “I” like to see PRINCE’s music released?
Humm …perhaps, the avenue of him, starting his very own “SoundCloud” Community with an App Store connectivity would be an excellent fundamental starting point, but only if he could secretly own stakes/shares in the SoundCloud company itself. Something like this would be wise. Woiuld it not?
I’m just saying… Prince could make this a two-fold business venture. He has the business savvy to pull it off. Particularly, since he is rather fond of controlling many aspects surrounding his career. I have many ideas that would work.
However, Prince’s “matters” has nothing to do with the external mediums of music, or musical presentation, and distributorship. Nor does it have to do with any of this other passive camouflaging issue he’s been wrestling and floundering behind for over a decade.
The biggest issue facing Prince is centered around the matters of the heart, inspiration, and the promises he has longed to see come to past, based on a covenant made years ago between him and GOD. “My Life with You I Share” … some promise must be kept. As it is written so it is promised.
Until, you get out of your head and back into your heart the beats simply can’t flow fully. You are commissioned to keep your promises.
Ecnirp
Posted at 17:08h, 11 JulyI agree with Lex. Its a shame, there is so much there that we all want to like, but he (or his handlers) end up making it horrible.
Michael
Posted at 16:23h, 11 JulyStart with a Prince television series with each episode built around one Prince song(that could be thousands of episodes ultimately). And release Extended Play Discs, Extended Play Records…with four or five different versions of each song… Prince Radio, Prince Television, Prince Cinema, Prince “Graceland”, Prince Network, Prince Music School, Prince Merchandise……
musicman
Posted at 12:24h, 11 Julywho cares he washed up he is a meanie .. treated my friends like rosie & matt fink like crap
Marcel
Posted at 11:01h, 11 JulyI would pay 1000 Euros to plug into the soundboard and release the live concert on iTunes for a humble 10 bucks… How’s that for a new distribution deal? Prince; come to the Ahoy, Rotterdam, NL 😉
Positivity
Posted at 04:29h, 11 JulyI meant the previous post, sorry.