Way to take a quote out of context guys. Really, stand up and be proud.
Prince didn't say the internet, as a whole, is over, (although him talking about gadgets filling your head with numbers is classic Prince XD) just that the music model of releasing material on the internet is. He went on to say:
The internet’s like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated.
Which is true, after all what modern day artist has made it big lately through MTV? Prince wasn't always like this though, he's one of the first to set an example for modern day artists by making all this work available solely on the internet. He's released several albums through it, and it's no exaggeration to say he was a trailblazer in that regard. But while it's easier for artists and bands to release their work on the internet and get it out there, it's also harder for a number of reasons. For one, it's very hard to get yourself out there and recognised when there's thousands if not millions doing the same. You either need a lot of luck, novelty value or organised promotion behind you. Furthermore you have illegal file-sharing. I think it's no secret that the music industry is kind of suffering and that artists aren't getting their fair share of the profits they probably should earn. Let's say hypothetically you own a shop and for every product you sold legit, 50 more were stolen. It wouldn't take long for you to go out of business now would it?
Look I'm a huge fan, but even I know Prince doesn't have the same impact now as he did in the 80's (not like I'd know considering I'm 22) but you all ask if Prince is relevant and yet here you are talking about him. The only reason you're hearing this now is that Prince is releasing a new album here on Europe this Saturday. Free with every copy of a national newspaper. Let's say it's a new business model in terms of releasing music. And it's win-win for everyone. Prince gets a sum of money upfront to release the album in the first place, plus I would imagine, a share of the profits for every newspaper bought. The newspaper in question gets more exposure that way. And the fans get a new album for the price of a paper. See? Win-win.
With this means of distribution, Prince has screwed the entire pipeline, and look.... wouldn't it be nice if other performers ditched their contracts and went innovative like this? Prince would definately love it if they did, I think that is an example he is trying to teach here.
Yes, he is about the money, but not ALL about the money. If he was, he simply had keep sucking the Warner Brothers teet. He's eccentric sure. An egotist, most definately. But he is an unbelievably talented artist who is still a big name since the 80's, still pumping away songs for the fans and a big inspiration for artists today. You have to respect that.
@eroticfishcake said:
" Prince is over. Seriously, that guy was meant to do a gig in Dublin once but not enough people came so it was cancelled. "
Well he's released another album a couple of years back using the same newspaper distribution deal and he managed to sell out 21 back to back nights at the 02 arena in London easy enough.
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