Prince fought the record company system. “Slave” took 90% off-message #shortsvideo

#prince #shorts #artist

Washington post circa 1994

“The Artist Formerly Known as Prince works in mysterious ways.

TAFKAP (a k a Symbol Man) blindsided his label, Warner Bros., with a press release announcing a $100 million deal with the label -- allegedly the biggest in pop history, bigger than Madonna's, bigger than Janet Jackson's, bigger than Michael Jackson's.

Now Prince is claiming that Warner Bros. was simply trying to lock him into "institutionalized slavery" and he is trying to get out of his contract. To drive the point home, in a new video that kicked off VH-1 in Europe last month, TAFKAP appears with the word "SLAVE" written across his face. Maybe he's been talking to George Michael.

Warner Bros. did not comment on the Prince statement in 1992, and industry insiders noted the actual figure was probably closer to $30 million -- well below some other superstar contracts. According to the 1992 press release, then-Prince would receive a $10 million advance for each of six albums, along with a new royalty rate (rumored to be 25 percent). Additionally, Warner Bros. would pump $20 million into Prince's Paisley Park label and Warner/Chappell music publishers would commit another $20 million in advances to help Prince establish two other co-venture companies.

Then, in the spring of 1993, Prince "retired," announcing he would satisfy the contract with existing material; Warner Bros. did not comment on that one way or the other. A few months later, Prince changed his name to the unpronounceable morph of male and female symbols that had been the title of a 1992 album. His latest album, "Come," released by Warner Bros. in August, bears the marker "Prince 1958-1993."
Prince, reportedly unhappy that Warner Bros. severed its relationship with Paisley Park in February (claiming disappointing returns), is apparently trying to finish his contract by giving Warner Bros. four albums of previously unreleased material -- all at once.
In any event, Warner Bros. didn't commit to vintage material in the 1992 deal and there seems to be an ongoing tug of war between the label, which may think Prince puts out too much material, and the artist, who may think Warner Bros. doesn't give him enough support.
In recent months, a single, "The Most Beautiful Girl In the World," released by Prince's own NPG label and distributed through a small independent, Bellmark, went to No. 2 in the pop charts. But Warner Bros. has yet to break a single from "Come," with its first attempt, "Let It Go," reaching only the lower thirties and then sinking, as has the album.

When Prince signed the deal in 1992, he was clearly a hot property, with worldwide album sales of more than 50 million. But he may have peaked: In August, the Recording Industry Association of America certified his 1988 soundtrack for "Purple Rain" for sales of more than 11 million in the United States (with another 5 million sold overseas), but the Symbol album sold only 1.2 million copies and "Come" has stalled at 700,000.”

TAFKAP is not being particularly forthcoming about the shackles of his contract. In 1992, follow-up stories in the music trades suggested that the $10 million advance per album was contingent on each album selling 5 million copies worldwide -- something only three of Prince's 15 albums have done -- and that he would bear some costs for promotion and videos. If sales fell below that figure, then each new album advance would be renegotiated.
The original deal called for one album a year, but Prince is apparently trying to get out of it immediately by giving Warner Bros. four albums at once (including "The Black Album," which Prince himself pulled at the last minute in 1988) and walking away, thus possibly avoiding any recoupment. Prince's latest press release describes it as walking away "from a situation which is causing him considerable stress, both creatively and emotionally."
The release from Prince's PR firm reports that TAFKAP "has been overheard commenting that negotiations with Warner Bros. have stalled" and "may have reached the point of no return," with the result that "fans may never hear what is being called his finest album to date, 'The Gold Experience.' " Of course, it's probably TAFKAP who's calling it that. Incidentally, that album consists of all new material that TAFKAP's been playing at various club dates around the country.

A Warner Bros. spokesman declined to comment on current negotiations but noted that the press release was "grammatically faulty."

Nothing's ever as symbol as it sounds

[kevinhurston]

He ended up owning all his work before his unfortunate demise

[pennydaytreasures]

It’s amazing how he and others who stepped out of line were made to look crazy. Instead what they were making a stand on was completely logical

[ROCKNROLLFAN]

He was RIGHT cuz they were reaping all of the benefits from all of his blood, sweat, and tears. I'm glad that he stood up and fought them on EVERYTHING cuz he was the very FIRST to do it.

[anitakos]

Prince was so special. Missing him so much! 💜💜💜❤️❤️❤️💔💔

[chateaumelmont]

He wins his catalogue back and Sony then get him back and kill him . You never win 💔

[cynthiamacer]

Miss you so much Prince Rogers Nelson 💔🙏🖤💜💜

[haroldfoster]

He finally got the rights for the albums 1999 and Purple rain

[citygirlingraham]

I remember when the word “slave” was written across his face at an awards show! It was genius as was Prince!!! I so miss him.

[starrwilson]

WB is a vampire company. Prince was a genius. I miss him💜

[berylpeters]

💜💜💜💜💜💜 I love you Prince 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[brittabeeck]

Prince not only opted out of the music industry as was, he also invented some other artist's band's too solo work too

[kimberlyeaton]

Always come with an lawyer & read the fine print/ royalties, incentives, deductible, etc

[AmericanGal_]

That's why there's a rise in INDEPENDENT artists nowadays.
Also, I will always believe someone killed Prince. Just a thought.

[multimusicstudios]

Unfortunately, that misunderstanding of his contract with the label is the thing that tore his behind! Where was his entertainment lawyer to help him establish a production deal?

[pennywiser]

Imagine if Prince had believed in himself enough in the beginning and understood what it meant to sign a contract with the evil greedy record labels

He could’ve found investors to put $20 million together to build his own recording studio PRINCE RECORDS with mixing engineers, marketing, A&R and PR division, his own cassette, vinyl and CD pressing plant, mastering engineers, concert organizers/promoters, dress and makeup artists, travel agents, limo drivers etc and killed it in the music business as an associate and music maker and not a slave artist

He could’ve easily made $100 million in 5 years and bought out his associates’ interest and remained sole owner

Then he could’ve built his very own film/movie studios PRINCE FILMS right on his home lot and been the sole owner of and hired the best film makers at the time. Imagine if Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese had produced PURPLE RAIN?

Finally Prince should’ve made a life will for his family and charities

I don’t doubt Prince would’ve died a BILLIONAIRE and the richest music artist OF ALL TIME

[jayceezinner]

They weren’t able to control him lol I know the higher people were salty af

[syahtree]

We miss you so much Beautiful One💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[susanthompson]

Prince!! Fought and WON !!💜💜
I miss him !!! 🎤💜💜🕊

[Quantum]

He revealed the truth and paid the ultimate price for it.

[katladytrj]

I was only 13 when prince changed his name to a symbol. I was disappointed and thought it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard of. Now that I'm a little older and have a better understanding of what was actually happening I admire what he did. He stood up for himself and didn't sell out. I have total respect for this man