[Aout 2004] Interview Boston Herald

[SoRonTuR]

Musicology 101: A virtual chat with Prince
By Larry Katz
Friday, August 13, 2004

The FleetCenter will be jammin' again next week. But unlike the Democratic National Convention, the arrival of Prince won't shut down the city - and it'll be fun and funky, too.

Riding a wave that began with his Grammy duet with Beyonce and continued with his performance at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the release of his best - and best-selling - album in a decade, Prince brings his 2004ever Tour to Boston Tuesday through Thursday for three nearly sold-out shows.

Not as reclusive at 46 as he's been through most of his 25-year career, Prince agreed to an interview: by e-mail. Here are his responses - complete and unedited, with Prince-ly spellings unchanged - to 10 questions, and the one question he chose not to answer.

HERALD: Your tour and ``Musicology'' CD are exciting fans and critics more than your other projects of the last few years. Did you miss the love? And is it that much sweeter for you now?

PRINCE: Contrary 2 rumor: we've never stopped touring! The love is never-ending and truly a blessing from the Most High.

BH: You've said this tour will be the last time you will perform many of your big hits. Why stop performing songs people enjoy so much?

P: The problem arose every tour 4 the past 5 years, which songs NOT 2 play. There is never enuff time in the concert 2 play everything people wanna hear so we HAVE 2 retire a good portion of them 2 allow rselves room 4 growth. New music pours out of musicians who love playing with each other. The future will prove far more interesting and challenging if we continue 2 create and play NEW music.

BH: Some folks might say you alienated fans when you changed your name to a symbol and became The Artist. Any regrets?

P:A very necessary move 2 get released from a restrictive, one-sided contract that allowed Time-Warner 2 own my future recordings. No regrets whatsoever. Ask another artist if perhaps they would do the same if they could make 8 times the amount they r currently making on each album as well as OWN all their productions.

BH: You're one artist working to change the practices of the music business. Are you disappointed that so many artists continue to submit to music industry control of their work?

P:Actually, it makes sense that artists 2day stay shackled 2 the majors. There r not alot of serious singer-songwriters who plan on having long careers in music. Most artists 2day get in2 the game 4 fame and wealth. They along with their music is disposable. The majors love this. It saves them the task of paying the artist fairly 4 his/her work.

BH: Are you hoping younger performers will make their own break for freedom by adopting some of your innovations, such as selling ``Musicology'' on your own by including it in the price of a concert ticket? Are you looking to be a role-model in reshaping a dysfunctional music business?

P:The music business as we know it is over. Artists 2day can record their own CDs in their own studios, create their artwork themselves and if they desire - hire distributors 2 place the music. In this scenario, who should own the masters? Simple - the creator. 4 awhile there will b 2 choices: Freedom or the `old way.' The artists who really matter will choose the 4mer. i.e.: Ani Difranco.

BH: Does it seem to you that we're living in a time when hype and manufactured sounds get more attention than talent, musicianship and soul?

P:We live in a fast-food society. The music u hear nowadays reflects that. The audience is catching up tho. In reality there r many people who r sophisticated enuff 2 know better and that is what makes up 95% of r audience. If we continue 2 challenge them, then they will grow with us. One gets the audience one deserves.

BH: Several songs on ``Musicology'' make pointed topical commentary. Would you like to see a rebirth of the protest song?

P: Protest songs...how great would that b right now? Altho everyone is afraid of getting `Dixie-Chicked'. Bring back The Staple Singers! Their songs r still very relevant 2day.

BH: Bush or Kerry? Or do you maintain, as you say in your song ``Dear Mr. Man,'' ``Ain't no sense in voting''?

(No response.)

BH: Your thoughts about Bill Cosby's remarks about African-American youth? Do you think the black community needs to take more responsibility for its problems?

P:All parents - no matter what race - need 2 take responsibility 4 their offspring. Coming up, we knew discipline. We had 2 worship on the sabbath and respect authority. Without that, kids have no boundaries. It's no wonder society is in the state it is in. In truth, as a people, we have 2 get back 2 God. In ALL things.

BH: Do you feel more comfortable with the media, with your celebrity and with your own self as you've gotten older?

P:The media, eye think has grown more com4table with me. They can now C the things we predicted would occur r now coming 2 fruition. Those who were smart enuff 2 abandon the sinking ship of the music industry r reaping the benefits now. Remember, it was not designed 2 leave the artist anything other than a unrecouped royalty statement. (laughs).

BH: Your album and tour are sure to be remembered as highlights of the entertainment year. Do you feel a sense of vindication?

P: Vindication is not a word we use. We knew this time frame would b good 4 us. We work very hard - always! Hard work pays off in the end. Thank God we r just beginning