NationStates Jolt Archive


Artists have no right to do what they will with their music!

Zarakon
29-06-2007, 23:16
Or apparently, so goes the reasoning in the music industry and music stores.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2114557,00.html

Music industry attacks Sunday newspaper's free Prince CD


Katie Allen, media business correspondent
Friday June 29, 2007
The Guardian

The eagerly awaited new album by Prince is being launched as a free CD with a national Sunday newspaper in a move that has drawn widespread criticism from music retailers.

The Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday that the 10-track Planet Earth CD will be available with an "imminent" edition, making it the first place in the world to get the album. Planet Earth will go on sale on July 24.

"It's all about giving music for the masses and he believes in spreading the music he produces to as many people as possible," said Mail on Sunday managing director Stephen Miron. "This is the biggest innovation in newspaper promotions in recent times."

The paper, which sells more than 2m copies a week, will be ramping up its print run in anticipation of a huge spike in circulation but would not reveal how much the deal with Prince would cost.

One music store executive described the plan as "madness" while others said it was a huge insult to an industry battling fierce competition from supermarkets and online stores. Prince's label has cut its ties with the album in the UK to try to appease music stores.

The Entertainment Retailers Association said the giveaway "beggars belief". "It would be an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career," ERA co-chairman Paul Quirk told a music conference. "It would be yet another example of the damaging covermount culture which is destroying any perception of value around recorded music.

"The Artist Formerly Known as Prince should know that with behaviour like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores. And I say that to all the other artists who may be tempted to dally with the Mail on Sunday."

High street music giant HMV was similarly scathing about the plans. Speaking before rumours of a giveaway were confirmed, HMV chief executive Simon Fox said: "I think it would be absolutely nuts. I can't believe the music industry would do it to itself. I simply can't believe it would happen; it would be absolute madness."

Prince, whose Purple Rain sold more than 11m copies, also plans to give away a free copy of his latest album with tickets for his forthcoming concerts in London. The singer had signed a global deal for the promotion and distribution of Planet Earth in partnership with Columbia Records, a division of music company Sony BMG. A spokesman for the group said last night that the UK arm of Sony BMG had withdrawn from Prince's global deal and would not distribute the album to UK stores.

I think it's unethical to punish an artist for distributing his music in a way he sees fit. It borders on idiocy to refuse to stock an extremely popular artist just because he won't do what he wants. It's stupid to deprive yourself of a major source of income just because you don't like what the artist is doing. Just as it would be stupid for Trent Reznor's label to refuse to release any more Nine Inch Nails (Probably not as popular as prince, but still very popular) albums simply because they don't like the fact that Reznor is releasing the music on the Pirate Bay.

Opinions?
Call to power
29-06-2007, 23:25
ewwww I'm going to have to buy the mail

I think the record companies are buggered on this, Prince is rich :)
Phantasy Encounter
29-06-2007, 23:29
*snip*
The Entertainment Retailers Association said the giveaway "beggars belief". "It would be an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career," ERA co-chairman Paul Quirk told a music conference. "It would be yet another example of the damaging covermount culture which is destroying any perception of value around recorded music.

Who goes to record stores anymore?
Neo Undelia
29-06-2007, 23:31
Prince vs. The Music Studios II: This time, he won't be changing his name.
Ifreann
29-06-2007, 23:31
They're well within their rights to refuse to stock Prince for this, but it's a shitty PR move. If the record stores aren't selling what people want to buy then they're going to go out of business, simple as that.
Kinda Sensible people
29-06-2007, 23:32
Good for Prince. The major labels and record stores need to realize that they do not own artists.
Ashmoria
29-06-2007, 23:36
i commend prince for taking a risky step.
Desperate Measures
29-06-2007, 23:38
i commend prince for taking a risky step.

In high heels, no less.
Lacadaemon
29-06-2007, 23:41
I suppose my mother will finally own a prince album.
Neo Undelia
29-06-2007, 23:42
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ElpyNCl4oIQ&mode=related&search=
Ashmoria
29-06-2007, 23:45
In high heels, no less.

lol

he needs them, he's a short shit you know.
Phantasy Encounter
29-06-2007, 23:50
In high heels, no less.

He has to wear high heels, he's only 5'2" (1.57 meters) tall!

Edit: Dang, Ashmoria beat me to it :(
Kryozerkia
30-06-2007, 00:15
This only proves the RIAA isn't around to protect the artist so much as they are there to protect recording company profits.
Zarakon
30-06-2007, 00:17
This only proves the RIAA isn't around to protect the artist so much as they are there to protect recording company profits.

Yup. I don't think there's any reasonable doubt of that fact at this point.
Extreme Ironing
30-06-2007, 00:52
Aww, the poor record companies not getting their 'deserved' profits because an artist decides he wants to giveaway music as he sees fit...:rolleyes:
Dododecapod
30-06-2007, 01:25
Yet another example of the record distribution agency talking out of their asses. They will NEVER stop stocking Prince's records, and both sides know it. He sells, so they will stock.
Lord Raug
30-06-2007, 01:45
It's his music he can do what he wants. Unless he had some kind of contract stating he couldn't do this, then I don't see what the problem is.
The_pantless_hero
30-06-2007, 02:30
ewwww I'm going to have to buy the mail

I think the record companies are buggered on this, Prince is rich :)

Exactly. The record industry assholes can piss and moan all they want but at the end of the day Prince is still rich and famous.