Prince and the Internet (Why Some Don't Like Prince - Episode 4)

[@PrincesFriend]

WATCH NEXT: How Batman Impacted Prince, His Legacy and Career kzbin.info/www/bejne/p165i4Gvo7-BgNU

[@writeadventurejulia1295]

Prince moved so fast they couldn't keep up with him!

[@Nubias]

Yah,he was a genius,and always a few steps ahead.

[@EbonyJ-rt5bb]

@@Nubias I agree.

[@sherribaker1546]

He was one smart cookie!

[@laurisaarinen1126]

Prince was such a genius. I swear i love every fucking thing about him.

[@lavenderbee3611]

I understand why Prince left Warner Bros, he wanted to be totally self sufficient and answer to no one. He was in a position due to his 80's fame to survive with some creative ideas about releasing work on the Internet or through his NPG store (he really was foward thinking). However, there is a price to pay because the players in the music industry control so many levels that is impossible for an independent artist to excel at the very top. Warner Bros and their ilk are "star making machines", that's what they do. Prince was relying on his hardcore fan base mostly, he really didn't get the airplay and promotion like his Warner Bros years. I really admire the fact that Prince was absolutely fearless and single-minded. He wasn't going to let anybody interfere with the path he himself had chosen.

[@PrincesFriend]

Fearless is a great word for it. Cheers!

[@RnB4Sure]

It does suck that you cannot obtain a lot of Prince's later music from I-Tunes and other outlets and that when you go to Amazon everything is too expensive. However, I understand what Prince was fighting for because the internet made it possible to enjoy music for free and many people started to feel they had a right to free music. Many people were not even aware that artists were paid for music heard on radio stations, TV commercials, etc. They thought it was free so they did not understand the injustice. Many young people now refuse to pay for music period. Prince was smart to tour, however, he would have been more popular if the tours and music were subsequently available on KZbin where people could actually see the extent of his greatness. So I agree with him that the internet is a double edged sword.

[@LG-kx8xl]

RnB4Sure Very well said!

[@RnB4Sure]

@L G Thank you.

[@kcoolmuziq]

Most of ALL of Prince’s later music is on Tidal now.

[@PrincesFriend]

Most of all? That’s a funny turn of phrase.

[@kcoolmuziq]

Very good points made! Also very detailed points that Prince wanted conveyed in his time on earth.

[@NOYB6930]

He was a Pioneer no doubt. But the one mistake I think he made was constantly registering new domains and you had to jump around all the time to follow him. He should have just had one root domain as a landing page and then any other side project could be a child page to the parent.

[@PrincesFriend]

Agreed

[@jonzaremba]

Also he was extremely vigilant in shutting down any fans who shared his music online, refused to have his tunes on KZbin, etc... He was one of the few guys out there who took such a hard stance in that area.

[@AH-yk4eb]

Hi PF, no matter what era I love all Prince. And what I like about him is that he is not afraid to take risks, he speaks his own mind, he is his own identity and that’s what makes him a very unique individual. I am binge watching all of your videos to catch up. Love your content and keep up the good work. Always looking forward to watch.😊

[@PrincesFriend]

Thanks so much, Ana!

[@howardgstrecke]

Prince suffered from "rich man's disease". He wanted so much control and to maximize profits that at the end of his life, there's a vault of unreleased music which is a shame for his fans. Since his passing, people have started to post vlogs about his life and times but no one dared while he was alive. It's unfortunate because all this fan driven exposure could have driven him to higher heights. Musical genius. Ultimate showman. Control freak. And because of the last trait, which is a fatal flaw, we may never hear any of Prince's unreleased music. Truly a tragedy

[@jazshas]

Prince was an artist. You don't take your creations and give them to other people, especially when you value what you labored over. His creations were from his soul and he didn't sell his soul like most entertainers.

[@reginafris6822]

Keith Richards said that after 2000, the only way to deal with the changes in the music industry and still make a decent profit from your music was to tour. I know that Prince concurred with that point of view, while still fighting to turn the tide and get a fair price for all artists from their recordings.

[@hodgesmuzick70]

Prince was a constant trendsetter. Too bad he couldn't get the music community of artists to follow suite. He tried to tell them...

[@mario2657]

He is and always will be The GOAT ...no one else comes even close !

[@dariousharris]

I think Prince was wise in as much that he could see that going the independent route was going to be the way of the future for artists if they wanted greater financial compensation for their work and to have total control over their careers. The challenges lie in going about developing a plan of distribution and having a TRUSTWORTHY support system that shares your vision and has the where with all to bring it into fruition.

[@i.o.recarte9866]

WOW that is exactly what happened to me, with the exception that never hated him! totally the oposite I thought he was just not making music and I missed him, quite silly of me not to have searched enough...but now you PF are helping us to discover and understand what really happened and what we have been missing... I am enjoying to discover a song here and there while waiting for each of your album reviews.. Thank you!😘😘😘

[@jackielaversa4191]

Prince was always at point & was no fool! Thats why he was sooo successful. At no means do I think my Purple Yoda sucked! 💜He’s missed terribly!

[@Thespeedrap]

I would like to hear Prince vault music

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

I think whether or not Prince chose to experiment releasing his music via the internet or fought with his record company, he was gonna alienate people throughout his career. Nothing was gonna stop him from releasing albums at the pace he wanted to, and his music was always gonna be weird or disappointing to certain groups of fans, especially those who just wanted Purple Rain/1999 over and over again. That stuff is inevitable when you're a genuine artist always searching for something different. He was already alienating some fans with the Parade and Lovesexy albums, and started to fare better in Europe in the late 80's and 90's. I think a lot of the U.S is still hung up on Purple Rain, like he was a one-hit wonder or something.

[@heatherallingham7120]

This explains a lot. There were many times he just seemed disappear, and I was too busy with life to find out why. I still haven't heard all of his material, and where I lived, there wasn't much available. Many thanks for this :)

[@jasonkelly5554]

It did annoy me when Prince or his lawyers shut down fan sites which were pretty much doing free promotions of Prince music. Shame he died as he was coming back to being the old Prince that I loved.

[@skygazer6898]

This is an excellent video and perfectly explained, as most people, except for avid Prince followers did forget about him during the nineties or after the success of Musicology in 2004 and interest was only revived after his sad death and so many of his performances that had never been seen in his lifetime were flooding the internet. Many comments stated people did not even know he was such an amazing guitarist or performer as they were still stuck in the eighties with Purple Rain. Prince made a huge mistake, in my opinion, in being too possessive about his music as had he allowed some of his performances, concerts and newer songs on the internet it would have given him a wider audience where he would have hooked a younger generation into being captivated by his talents.

[@MandyWatts]

Very clear, informative and to the point - thanks!

[@gypsy2155]

OMG, just found ur channel 2day and I'm enjoying every piece u've composed. Thank u 4 ur xtensive research. Can u PLEASE do a piece regarding the Dick Gregory interview: "they killed prince"? I'd really enjoy hearing ur take on it. Also, the George Harrison induction he did for "my guitar gently weeps"?? Keep up the great channel. It's my new fav.

[@hlnielsen5574]

Lolol my first internet experience was in 8th grade (97) and I was floored lol

[@KimberlySmith-iy8bi]

Prince did everything right... when it came to his music...

[@keithbell9348]

I believe it was the Crystal Ball project which began his venture into selling his material online. I was fortunate to be able to still purchase that one along with the Truth cd and many more afterwards in stores afterwards. I believe it was Warner's marketing model at the time which made Prince feel he was chained too and limited to the way he wanted to release his own music how he wanted too. Especially the huge success of how The Most Beautiful Girl in the World sing did overseas, awakened him to how he could publish his own material, release it on his own terms, get his music out their to his adoring fans and reap profits that would continue to sustain his craft for years to come. But the internet? Crystal Ball - 250,000 units at $50 each? Look, Yes of course I am a fan of his music ever since he came out in 1977, but good lord! He proved he could do it all even without any music company contractually employing him on their payroll. Now you argue with me on why this man was not a pioneer in his own right?!

[@puppypower84]

I remember Wal-Mart carrying a prince interactive CD-ROM, back in 1994. By chance do you have it or seen it? It's one of those hard to find items.

[@PrincesFriend]

I had it but not anymore. I’ve been trying to find footage

[@MelissaSass1]

U explained all that perfectly 💜

[@DemiGodX]

got any stories of prince vs youtube? i remember a time when you couldnt find any prince music or videos on youtube because he would force youtube to block it. this was before youtube implemented their copyright database thing or whatever it is that detects copyright content. Prince might have been the first to do that because back then users were expected to just abided by the rules or get suspended if they dont. then after he died we suddenly started seeing Prince videos on youtube

[@EmmyV2002]

Prince had his flaws, but if people don't like him, I don't care. I still love him ❤

[@DerekPool]

Great video! Especially love the addition of the graffiti bridge clips.😂😂

[@PrincesFriend]

Thanks!

[@ncarpenter28]

Great video....you explained everything beautifully. That's exactly what happened...it's like he dropped off the face of the earth for a long time...but at the time, I had no clue what happened, and no internet. I had none until 2004. 😕😔

[@robertvaliullin8837]

Wonderful video! I'd really love to listen to the albums that aren't so popular (chaos and disorder for example), but the problem is that I just cant: I've got no money to buy the cds and Tidal isn't available in my country. What can I do? I don't wanna pirate his music.

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

Speaking of the internet, I think you would consider me a ‘big fan (or friend)’ of Prince, and anything up to 1998 I would have a good amount of knowledge of and own everything ... however in 1998 I was prevented from being a a Prince friend by not being ‘allowed to have the internet which means that I have a decade size hole in my collection - since 2008 I have been trying to fill that gap.Thanks PF for a really enjoyable upload xx

[@kennycrockett8202]

Vikki Waiting , Prince had New Power Soul ,,, out in 1998 it is very rare, Prince is rapping on this

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

kenneth Crockett I love princes rapping ... I wouldn’t have known about anything back then through 2007/8 on the internet & off depending on the subject matter ... my situation is different now so I’m filling the gap with the help of friends including on KZbin 💜💜

[@nonwilson5587]

Vikki Waiting I have to fix my Prince collection as well....

[@hlnielsen5574]

Wow! Never thought of it that way. I have always did always actively look for Prince stuff on the net etc but you are so right, if people didnt know to do that or want to do that, he seemed to disappear except like during the musiology era

[@sherrywillis19]

Love the clips of Prince nice touch Friend.

[@PrincesFriend]

Thanks!

[@bei1016]

Hi, I Discovered "Something In The Water". Simply Amazing . What album did that come out on?

[@PrincesFriend]

1999

[@arielanderic]

I like Spotify as much as the next person but I have issues with music streaming platforms as well. The problem with these music streaming platforms is that these artists don’t make money off their albums. That’s why I buy the CD to support the artist

[@benumbreit1794]

Do you think the Estate will try and get his newer material into the market place? i would love a late career retrospective.

[@PrincesFriend]

They are currently making deals to make that happen

[@kennycrockett8202]

Prince, was ahead of his time by marketing his product on line, this is the theory of the mixtape which was an cassette tape thus was sold at clubs, stores, out of car trunks, Prince took this theory and made it work for him by getting his product to his friends, remember this it was hard to find Prince in stores, but Prince had music on line selling like fried chicken and waffles with fried eggs and ham, showing everyone that how to run your own business /life Lil Kim,,has not released an new CD in years but look at her mixtapes on line, wow full double albums then Trina is doing the same thang, as others are doing now, yes u is right that Prince was the first, thanks for the vid and your channel, how is the Purple Family doing today

[@myberetta2002]

I was just so bummed out because I was raising 2 kids and was single and couldn't afford the internet or to buy his music or join his music club.

[@TaylorMade511]

If he had let more of his music on youtube then he would have had more sales.

[@joec9564]

It’s not always about sales. It’s about freedom and freewill to define your own comfort.

[@jdvine]

the internet takes to much credit,there's an infinite spirit in music,it is eclectic among artist's-i've sensed an open door,when recording at times.i'm completing a new soundtrak,dont know were to put it,don't care.get all kind of weird offers for the "blues blood" soundtrak i put on reverbnation-this new soundtrak,it was definetly influenced by spirit,not money.-art/muse-someone or something trying to heal a broken soul-ya dig what i'm sayin-WISHING YOU PEACE LOVE AND HAPPINESS

[@jdvine]

in the near i will future leaxe a link to the new sound trak

[@tennis7net]

I remember when he realesed Cristal Ball in 1993 only by internet i said “ what? This man is crazy” but now i Know he was rigth it would be the future of the comunications

[@marmarchan69]

tennis7net 1998*

[@MrAntsworldofPrince]

Great video loved those old clips of the internet the dial up years😂😂 only seems like yesterday!! Prince was a visionary and a pioneer especially with his early adoption of the internet. I have a family member who had a website for his jewellery store in the early days of the net and he made a lot of money. Before Google Amazon eBay etc took over the net making it really hard for the little guy to make money.

[@rickinero5535]

That's interesting, now I know why I always heard people say Prince sucks. I myself didn't know what Prince did with the internet. Therefore, I didn't buy his records. I also did see him on a late night talk show every now and then performing. I never stopped loving him though.

[@flipz4398]

It’s WONDERFUL what you’re doing for Prince’s legacy!!! I wish someone would do the same for Michael!!! Michael fought Sony in 2001 cus they weren’t treating him fairly!! But Michael’s downfall was really 1993 allegations .. it broke his heart that someone whose cared for would destroy him for money especially since he had already been so good to them!! It would tear him apart that these 2 jerks put out LN trying to get money .wade would hurt him the most as Michael gave him his career & was close w him!! These artists w magnificent talent are always torn down .. why???? GREED?!! I really appreciate your videos on Michael. .. it’s good to hear someone talking about his music & not harping on the bad stuff!!!!! Please keep doing videos for Prince’s legacy .. he would be so PROUD of you!!! I know the fans appreciate all your efforts!! PEACE & LOVE from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. USA! 🇺🇸🎸🎼💕

[@PrincesFriend]

Thank you FLiPZ. I hope that I am contributing in a meaningful way for sure! I wish I knew more about MJ to do the same for him 😂

[@dawnnaavelino517]

He wasn't no fool, I think what he did was a bold move nd he is smart man, yeah sum ppl probably did dislike him, I don't care I 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 him, nd will always b his fan, Hii Pf thank u 4 sharing this, Much 💜💜💜💜💋

[@br.n5198]

🧚🏾‍♀️I’ve come to understand to bootleg is to tell an artist 🎸 to give your talents & career away for free and to financially starve, prince understands advancing technology like the beginning days of the internet record companies and recording artists feared the internet evolving you CAN NOT stop advancement u can only stay ahead of it there’s always that group of people who’s never going to buy an album anyway.. but with artists educating us about how bootleg effects their income us Naive thieves may have SYMPATHY and better UNDERSTANDING of what artists work so hard for

[@cathylee5840]

Prince liked his privacy he's always out smsrted the media love him always 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@WondersChannel]

Yeah I remember all those sites he had - my GOD they made it hard to fathom how he "loved his fans" - he loved the ones who had enough money! The prices were eye-watering and I could no way afford to even access half of the sites - let alone the music itself. I also don't think he spotted the binaries newsgroups back then, which around that time were a HUGE resource of mp3 files, that just posted all the NPG Music Club stuff out there. Yes Prince was often savvy - but do you honestly think he even knew what a newsgroup was...?

[@randy5880]

I think P would be proud of Daves power play. Another great one. I really appreciate your channel.

[@cutiepotooty]

Wonderful commentary 😍🤓

[@PrincesFriend]

Thanks so much

[@makchung9755]

Question! Do you think another reason why Prince didn't want his concerts being recorded and posted online is because musicians get more profit with touring? I mean, if the concert gets distributed illegally is that a lost profit? Cause Im not really sure how it affects directly the profit of an artist if concert footage are being recorded either through vids or audio vs bootlegged copies of album itself...

[@RnB4Sure]

I think it could have gone either way. Footage of the concerts online might have boosted ticket sales for later concerts or people might have waited to see the free bootlegged concerts online. At one time record sales were so great that artists did not have to tour to become rich, however, they had to be a really big act. Nowadays artists make most of their money thru selling seats and merchandise. I don't believe streaming website income is that lucrative. That is one reason why Prince made a deal with Tidal because Tidal pays a fairer rate to the artists who are nowadays not making the money they once did through record sales.

[@makchung9755]

RnB4Sure i see! Are online streaming earnings from music streaming services still under royalty? Or there's a different term for that?

[@RnB4Sure]

@Mak Chung There is a royalty but each streaming service pays differently. I found a couple of articles including one written by an artist that explains this entitled "How much money do artists REALLY earn from streaming music?" Google it. It appears that artists do better if you purchase their music rather than subscribe to streaming. They say that KZbin and Spotify are the worse paying, however, you also have to consider how much you want exposure. But it appears having exposure on all platforms might lead to lower revenue on each one. I am kind of understanding why Prince went exclusively with Tidal. Also see "What Major Music Streaming Services Pay Artists Visualized."

[@makchung9755]

RnB4Sure wow this is really helpful! Thank you so much for this. Im googling the stuff you mentioned at the moment.

[@XBLspartanx170]

him being a Jehovahs witness' certainly contributed to his paranoia.

[@sdgc543df]

To be fair I think Prince got it wrong. It's common knowledge that there is no correlation between downloaded music/software and sales. People who download are not going to buy anyway. There is strong anecdotal evidence to suggest that sales can increase through reaching people who would not have normally listened through sites like KZbin. If he had embraced the whole of the internet like other major artists have like Radiohead and the Rolling Stones you can see that their fan base increases exponentially by reaching fans who are younger and internet savvy and also fans who live outside of the USA. I think Prince was sadly more interested in profits than fans.

[@PrincesFriend]

I think there’s a difference between “in it for the money” and “not allowing your hard work to be under-valued”

[@Thespeedrap]

I think that the internet is a double edged sword

[@staceyteater5192]

I always followed him so i knew how to get his new albums so whoever thinks he sucks because of this wasn't never really a true die hard fam like I have been all my life. Great video though Prince's Friend. I love them bro. 💜😊🕊☔

[@stevennieves8308]

Thanks, Prince's Friend. For bravely posting your "Why Prince Sucks" topic/discussion series. I'm enjoying your series with your thoughts & ideas concerning this topic. Believe it or not, but I always wondered Why Prince wasn't as successful commercially like MJ & Madonna? And what I came up with, is this. Firstly, watching Prince's first appearance on "American Bandstand" in '79-'80 being interviewed by Dick Clark, I noticed a very shy, awkward short black gender bending musical artist ahead of his time...musically but not socially like say, Madonna. Who was always very sure of herself, confident, intelligent even though she was/is No where close, near or anywhere in the same vicinity in level of talent & musical artistry as Prince. But unlike Prince, Madonna was always one of the popular kids. Madonna always knew how to reach people. Madonna has always been a great salesperson. Prince was, also, always one of "cool"(popular) kids. But Prince grew up short (in height), non-white, desperate for love & acceptance. Especially, from important loving, caring, people. Secondly, I think after the Huge global success of his "Purple Rain" sdtk & major motion picture, Prince pulled back, retreated & rebelled from his instant fame & mainstream acceptance. I think Prince felt a bit overwhelmed & most definitely rebelled against his success. I'll go as far as saying Prince might've, at certain times, even self-sabotaged his works & his career. Prince has always seemed like a diva or divo but I think Prince was always a bit standoffish & aloof with people. Unfortunately, even with his beloved fans. I never ever understood Why Prince never ever sold a concert or 2 to HBO or Showtime, again, like MJ & Madonna. Especially, when Prince was at the height of his career during "1999", "Purple Rain", "ATWIAD", "SOTT", "Batman" sdtk, "D&P", "Musicology" & etc. Prince could've even sold his great 1988 "Lovesexy" concert from Germany to HBO/Showtime or any of his 1990 "Nude Tour" concerts either from Tokyo, Japan, Spain or Brazil. Too many average everyday mainstream music lovers/consumers don't know much about Prince & that's largely because of Prince himself. Why isn't Prince's amazing "Sign Of The Times" Concert Movie from 1987 available on Blu Ray/DVDs here in the US yet? Prince could've appeared in more major motion pictures playing anyone else except himself or even as Prince. He could've made a few cameo appearances in anybody's films. Comedy, Action, Animation, etc. Just as long as he kept his persona & image firmly in everyone's consciousness. Prince, obviously, had a tough time trusting people in his circle/camp but he should've tried cause alot of his music needs to be edited & have an editor on standby &/or another unbiased keen ear to give him the best most constructive criticism. Prince, unnecessarily, wanted to do everything & be everyone but that's not realistic & he could be sabotaging his best work and not know it. A good example of Prince needing good people he could trust is his music videos. Prince's music videos are terrible for an artist of his talent & caliber. Another example is Prince's mistake of not utilizing the power of the Internet & sites like KZbin. I understand Prince wanted to be paid upfront from KZbin when his videos, music & concerts are uploaded & seen. But Prince was cutting his nose to spite his face. Today's younger generation is on their phones, tablets, laptops & PCs more than ever. And sites like KZbin are the gateways for older artists to be seen, heard & learned about for younger peoples. With more Views & more Subscribers, Prince & every other artist will be seen, heard & most definitely paid by KZbin & many other huge sites. Prince had his lawyers constantly remove his music, videos, appearances, performances & concerts but that was one of the worst mistakes Prince was making over & over. Maybe Prince needed new management & new representation to guide him, inform him, educate him & make him more aware of today's world & all of the many other ways to make big $$$. Madonna, unlike Prince, always loved every millisecond of her fame & fortune. Hey, not every human can mentally & emotionally handle great success. Thirdly, Warner Bros. Records hardly ever did their best work marketing, promoting & selling Prince's music when he was under their roster of talent. But always, for some reason, Warner Bros. Records never ever had any issues promoting, marketing & selling Madonna & her iconic boy toy image to large mainstream music audiences around the world. Could Race be too simple & obvious a reason for Warner Bros Record's failure with Prince's career? I'm sure there's more to it than just his race. It was how they saw him & his music. With all those college educated corporate minds, they still couldn't guide him & he still couldn't trust them.

[@stevennieves8308]

Prince's Friend, I'm glad you like &/or understand my comments about Prince, at times, being his own worst enemy.

[@ruthavery8245]

Steven Michael first of all how did know what prince was thinking. You can only speak for yourself not prince. Are you a famous artist in the record industry. You don't anything about the music industry. Everyone and their mothers claiming to know prince now that he is dead. You gave your opinions about a person you probably never met are knew therefore you can wrong wrong about. P. R. I. N. C. E.

[@robertadams5986]

Boy are you on point....I stopped listening to Prince after sign o the times which I loved....just stopped listening only to find jems all the way to his death.....I'm obsessed with Prince cant make you love....what a remake....love your channel

[@toniwillis3957]

The inserts are killing me lol. Doesn't matter the decade.just good music. When the internet opened up for zip files it was on....the ability to send entire movies and music (albums). Just felt like a 8 track holding everything! Punch in ur selection :-)

[@artfull334]

Hello Prince Friend, this is interesting. From how you have explained Prince made good use of the Internet in the late 90’s/2000 by selling his music online and via various sources. But for me I’m not totally understanding his later reasons. In some ways I think he became out of step because by not allowing concerts etc to be shown meant that millions never got to hear about him. In the UK his records were not played much on the radio after Kiss and a lot of people like you say, lost touch with him. It’s brilliant that we are seeing his late work now, but I’m really gutted in a way that I missed some of his later music and concerts. I definitely would have gone to watch Musicology but I wasn’t aware of it. I reckon he would have trembled the numbers going to his concerts and his album sales if he had allowed his friends to upload them on the Internet. Wow that was a long reply😀

[@sdgc543df]

Unfortunately a lot of American artists forget there is life outside of the USA lol

[@artfull334]

code_bc yes with Prince this is fact. He was either poorly advised or he had a certain amount of arrogance and assumed he was so popular in his own right that he had no need to be seen or to publicise himself anymore. The result being that he lost a large number of die hard fans, him failing to gain a wider audience for his later music, and the majority of people saying they liked Purple Rain and Kiss and that was it. Real shame really. I’ve seen lots of comments from people now saying they did not realise how great he was from the late 90’s onwards, after he left WB, and have only found out since he died. I would have said this to Prince myself if I’d known him 😂

[@sdgc543df]

Art Full yep, I went to a Rolling Stones gig the other week and there are clips of that all over KZbin. It just makes me want to go again after seeing the vids and reliving the moment in my own front room lol

[@artfull334]

code_bc Yeah it’s great when you go to a concert and you are able to relive the moment in time by watching the uploads on KZbin. I’ve been watching their concert myself, it was so good. It looked like a mixed age group there, I expect they have a new generation of fans. I just read a comment from someone saying if it wasn’t for Prince making his music, we would not be able to download his music. But that’s not true, as most of his really good concerts are still not available to watch because Prince channels are being asked to take them down, it hasn’t stopped. All the concerts including Parade, The Nude tour, Musicology, Rave Un2 to name a few are still being removed. In reality even since Prince passed, we are still not allowed to watch his concerts....it’s really weird.

[@kellyanita4959]

I didn't understand why anyone would hate prince.

[@PrincesFriend]

Lots of reasons for the uninformed

[@mariaastephens4579]

The great thing about Prince's music is it for everyone. He doesn't suck at anything. He has things that work and some that doesn't. He is human, but the greatest asset he has is he is awesome at his work. I was a smart move he made to go to the internet to release music. He still had it all because of him being the entertainer that he was his tours sold out to millions and that compensated for where the down loads that weren't heard. I love Prince because there's a message in each song. You would actually have to listen to the words that he's saying. That alone would make a difference in the music. To me he will always be the great in the world of entertainment.

[@reginafris6822]

Yeah, the internet was not widely used when he began...I only had a computer from 1989 on because my then boyfriend was in marketing and owned one. Prince did access fans directly, but it cut off MILLIONS of fans at that time. Of course, through direct sales he made more money. However, Prince neglects to mention he wasn't making many new fans. Anyway, great show. The majority of money has been in touring since 2000-I remember Keith Richards saying that the RS began relying on touring cash since 2000 in his autobiography.

[@scs7790]

i am wanting the elusive black album

[@wendileona]

I think it was Duran Duran that sold the very first digital downloadable single to fans on the internet. Its up for debate, and maybe it was David Bowie too! Crystal Ball had terrible distribution, many fans actually BOUGHT the disc set and never received their copies! We also forget that Warner Bros Records, at the time of Prince's career in the 80s, did most of logistics of marketing, distribution, of finding resources, managing, from tour staff, to management to art directors, etc. etc. etc. that Prince focused on living his life and creating music, whereas when Prince went indie, he was distracted with 500,000 copies sold, and the art suffered. My pointing this out within the topic or 'Prince and the internet' is because it seems as if most fams are inclined to be anti-company or anti-big label, when if it weren't for WBR, Prince would found it much more difficult to achieve not only the success 1999 and Purple Rain brought hm, but also to focus on the music and creating such an amazing body of work during those big record company years. You have to give it up. And really has any artist really made it an issue about artists rights since Prince's passing? I almost feel as if Prince was alone in all that for most of his later life. I mean so much music now is so like staged and AI music production is just... around... the corner... and young people will not say one thing about it... U'll C. ---Gary

[@waynereadings4179]

Prince was the first artist. To release his music on. Website

[@michaelmckenzie6311]

RIP Prince!

[@shannon2me425]

I love that Prince was so rebellious and strong to claim his music and connect with his fans !!! He was always a pioneer. I received an email today from Prince ( advertising his 34th anniversary of Purple Rain) get excited to see these emails. I signed up thru Paisley Park website but noticed at the end of the email it says - from Warner Brothers and the address. ( not Paisley) do you know what's up with this? I think P would be pissed - what is his estate doing?? I like to hear your 90's talk on Prince because as a mega fam I fell off a bit on those years even though went to one concert. From 2007 on was full on Prince again for me - but went back to the late 70's. Like what he says about the internet so true. He's smart as all get out. Love ❤️ Prince soooo much.

[@akinkunmicook2977]

Hmmm! Great video! I agree with you! The only reason I knew what Prince was doing was thru my sister who is a Prince NUT!!!!

[@tyroneepps4854]

so why he made 2 record labels? prince's friend

[@nonwilson5587]

True but don't think he sucks tho......bc did he own reaching out to his fan..... that's how I got the best of Prince recording. He came to Norfolk VA.... so kooooool I had so much fun.. further more I had a friend that was a followed of Prince so much her had everything Prince everything sold. I want my Prince collection like hers. So proud of her..rip Prince miss you.... thanks again for your video.

[@druscillalee2183]

PRINCE IS A MASTERMINDED GENIUS WHO KNEW WHAT HE WANTED AS TO MARKETING AND PROMOTING HIS OWN WORK👏🏽💜 THIS I DO BELIEVE WHY PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS DIDN'T WANT HIM THERE THING IS WHILE MOST TRY TO FIGURE PRINCE 💜 🎶 HEE HEE" BOO"😂 PRINCE HAS MOVED ON TO SOMETHING ELSE 🤣💜💜💜

[@noahryland4518]

Everyone send links to secret Prince songs/albums!!

[@jackazzhole1]

You'd see a million Prince and The Time vids on KZbin and then they'd all be pulled. It's not as if MTV and BET still play videos today

[@marionhiggins2529]

Just genius!!!

[@MrSanpj]

I loved his later music too. As any real Prince fan would. I don’t understand how he sucks. They probably have no rhythm. They didn’t even like purple rain?

[@001rnv]

The internet served him well initially but he turned on it and his fans later on. He pulled almost every video out there and went after fan sites with cease and desist letters. Only a few survived, but barely. These were mainly discussion sites, with no bells or whistles. Heck, even his own NPG Music Club didn’t really survive. No major label backing him and fighting your fans (fams) online? Yikes! I followed him practically from beginning to end, but some of his online antics were trying. Now think how this came across to a causal listener. 😬

[@evelynaviles8593]

I think it was a good and a bad idea it was good for him cause he got what he wanted bad cause i never liked boot leg werther movies & music etc. It was bad cause whom wanted music it wasn't out there. For example would like the cd or album rave onto i quest it came out in new york so i would have better luck going out there and finding it. Some of his problems are visible and i see it at so sad because they. Become facts. Thanks for shareing

[@tesswonderful4194]

I LOVE PRINCE but I think he made mistakes with his distribution. It STILL sucks you can't go to a store and purchase his music. It's all WB stuff, which I already have.

[@toddderocco939]

Only people that don't know anything about music or confused about it or they're just not musicians would say he sucks

[@PrincesFriend]

Did you watch the video? Dont be fooled by the title or assume what the video contains. Follow along and watch some fun content! :)

[@toddderocco939]

I did watch Not a hit on you sir It sucks as a fan and a musician when people chuckle and say to me you like prince They don't understand They don't understand that there will never be another artist like him The only person I can think of that was in the same league was Frank Zappa

[@PrincesFriend]

I agree... that’s why I started this channel.

[@lemmyremmy5709]

In my opinion Prince got to a point that he over released music even tho he had some great songs I never felt he matched what he did with 1999 or Purple Rain and the fact that he was moving so quick didnt help him either the guy was a genius in so many ways but his own genius worked against him if he took a slower approach I think he would of done better in terms of albums sold and quality of his music and another fact that didnt help him either was that he didnt allowed his music to be out there in the internet thats why the newer generation isnt so familiar with Prince the way they are with Michael Jackson and many other artist even tho I understand his point of view about the internet You Tube pays for views and many other platforms give profits to the artist

[@TaylorMade511]

The Internet has been around since the mid-80s. People hosted BBS boards on their home computers and the BBSes linked up to each other. You could talk to anybody around the world through your computer. And you didn't need no stinking ISP. You guys were too slow to join the club.

[@waynereadings4179]

Brother prince fans. Prince only had msg called the truth mag before his website

[@sincere1019]

When doves cry

[@PrincesFriend]

...is a great song.

[@donqphotography]

-> Great video, but there is one glaring fact that everyone seems to be ignoring: Prince’s music went into decline after “Sign o’ the Times”. Yes - there were some hits/good songs here and there but overall a lot of it was cringeworthy. His legacy will always be the “1999-Purple Rain” period. My daughters are 22 and 17 respectively and I tried playing stuff of Prince’s post 1999/Purple Rain stuff and they can’t get into it... especially anything involving Prince rapping (“Sexy MF, Gett Off etc...). So, the kids today are suppose to carry on Prince’s legacy? No, they won’t. True Prince fans like myself are getting older; I visited Paisley Park and everyone was mostly my age; saw the Revolution and everyone was my age etc, etc....by the time my daughter’s kids are teens, Prince’s legacy will be cemented in that epic “1999/Purple Rain” era.

[@PrincesFriend]

Prince’s sales declined yes, but going from 10 million to 2 million, I mean, that’s still millions! He was still selling more than a lot of other artists.

[@waynereadings4179]

Crystal ball. On his website.

[@waynereadings4179]

Yes but in 96 2000

[@tyroneepps4854]

I like paisley park /npg records

[@insatiableismyname9023]

Well I like Prince

[@PrincesFriend]

We all do!

[@akebulanmusic5639]

Am I the only die hard price fan that will keep it real and tell the truth having lived in Minneapolis during the time he made the infamous warner deal prince won't admit that the reason he was pissed at warner and they pissed at him is because after renegotiating his contact and getting over a hundred million he put out substandard music, graffiti bridge was a total flop, and who was on the label. Ingrid chavaz who I did like, George Clinton which wasn't nessearily in his prime and Carmen Electra. ..warner was like where's that bread nigga and he couldn't deliver diamonds and pearls wasnt enough to pay the bills. If you have a label being your own biggest star doesn't cut it .so they released the black album and b sides to recoup,pissing prince off.i had little sympathy during his whole slave attention ranting,the artist didn't even own his own name let alone catalog. Poor prince. ..I am the ultimate fan, seen him at glam slam performing turning the place out up close and personal. But regardless the truth is the truth

[@garkisbloodlust9234]

Honestly, my opinion about what is the #1 reason people say Prince sucks is because Prince never sold out and commercialized himself. He never gave in to corporate America. You can respect that, like I do, or think its a bad business decision. I remember hearing a story like 10 years ago about that video game "Guitar Hero" wanting to work with Prince to put him and some of his songs in their game for kids to learn. They offered him a big payment for the rights to do it. Prince turned it down and said "Kids should learn how to play real guitars." That pretty much sums up Prince's business decisions right there. He was to true to his art to the point where he hardly allowed younger people to get exposed to his genius. Unfortunately, the majority of our population only like artists who have their stuff pushed and sold by corporate America and Prince never wanted part of that.