Yesterday, I was in the car listening to “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” and had a vague but pleasurable feeling as if I was hearing the 2007 version of “Diamonds and Pearls.” I remembered that I had an urge to speak on this topic…but I’m shook about mentioning said artist by name or uploading his images. So we opted for another prince instead.

I had some dope pictures of The Artist Formerly Known As One I Admired, but he’s so guarded about his images & aggressive in his pursuits to have them removed off the ‘net that I decided against using them. And given his recent antics, my love for his music is being overshadowed by my disdain for how he’s treating his diehard fans. The past few weeks, I’ve been keeping up with his name in the news as he goes @ a woman for using approximately twenty-nine seconds of one of his tracks, for a Youtube video clip that shows her infant child dancing.

There’s a balance between protecting your image and art & offending those who have been your staunch supporters over the years.

I agree wholeheartedly with The Artist Formerly Known As One I Admired and his attempts to control the use of what’s his. For too long, artists have gotten the raw end of the deal fiscally and had so little say in matters once the ink dried on the contract. When he drew that circle/shovel/phallic symbol/squiggly line on his face & went to battle against Warner Bros., fans still bought the albums and supported him…even though they weren’t sure what to call him. Ever wonder why you don’t hear his work sampled? Long story short, he reportedly discouraged it because he wasn’t receiving the lion’s share (the label would be) & since he didn’t want that…no sampling.

Attacking the label is cool. Rise up against the machine, John Henry.

Attempting ‘reclaim the net’ by threatening to sue major websites, including YouTube, eBay and Pirate Bay?

Good luck.

Clear out 100 of your songs and videos today and 100 will follow behind them.

In a trickle down effect, his threats have trickled down directly to fans. Derailing their attempt to salute you & keep you relevant (because, really, when was the last cohesive and listenable work you produced?), those same fans who paid probably are the ones paying hundreds of dollars to stand in the front rows of your concerts, who epitomize the true meaning of “fanatical”? Sending them DMCA notices aka “take down notices”?

Not a good look.

Funny thing is, the site of created to do this battle of wills against Prince is named Prince Fans United.

Or, in it’s shortened form…

Prince F.U.

Zing!

Interesting Reads…

The Home Video Prince Doesn’t Want You to See (ABC News)

“Prince Seeks To ‘Reclaim The Net’” – (Guardian)

Mom Sues Universal Music for DMCA Abuse (EFF)

Prince Fans Unite And Strike Back (Eurweb)