Vault Clippings: Press & Stories

This Live magazine cover accompanied one of the most controversial and disruptive moments in Prince’s relationship with the UK music industry: the announcement that his new album Planet Earth would be given away free inside the following week’s Mail on Sunday.

The Mail on Sunday announces what it calls the most sensational CD giveaway ever, revealing that Prince’s brand‑new album Planet Earth will be included free inside the following week’s newspaper.

“This is the fate of geniuses: a handful of fans, specialists, exegetes spy on their every move. The latest example: the purple dwarf arrives in Las Vegas, our funk doctor too.”

The article opens with a satirical recreation of an SNL sketch: “EEEEEEEEEEEERRRRE’S PRINCEY!!!!!” Fred Armisen plays Prince in a black turban and purple jacket, barely speaking, communicating through Beyoncé (Maya Rudolph), while Steve Martin appears as his French chef complaining about burned pancakes. Prince gazes into a mirror with an ostrich‑feathered eye‑mask as Beyoncé intones: “Prince is gazing into the mirror of reflection.”

“Hallelujah! In praise of Ray Charles” “Napster vs. iTunes: Which one is the best?” “Plus the best‑looking rock stars ever” These headlines surround Prince’s portrait — a bold red outfit, a direct point to camera — situating him among legends, debates, and pop‑culture flashpoints.

“Funk & Finesse — Rhonda Smith gets down with Prince.”

“Whenever I come to the drums, I always play from my heart, I always play from my soul.” Blackwell speaks openly about faith, emotion, and the deep musical intuition that shaped his work with Prince — from The Rainbow Children to the One Nite Alone era and beyond.

T he controversial new album from Prince, available now. one-page press advert UK Virgin Megastore, Prince's album The Rainbow Children was released on November 20, 2001, by NPG Records and Redline Entertainment. Earlier in the year, it was also made available through Prince's website. This album marks the first release outside of the NPG Music Club under the name Prince, following his return to his former stage name after a year using a symbolic moniker. Initially available

The Artist opens up – what happened to Prince and the fight for freedom! interview by Stefan Picker-Dressel in Hamburger Abendblatt, January 8, 2000 The artist, whom everyone still calls Prince, was downright famous for constantly changing pseudonyms, symbols and partners. In the meantime, he is called The Artist and sees his story as a self-liberation from the golden cage of the record multinationals. In an interview, he tells us what became of Prince and why. The artist, wh

The artist formerly known as Prince bends over slightly, wipes his blow-dried hair out of his face and answers in a determined voice: "I'm here to bring pleasure, to provide music for the party (read: life)." Then he gets up, walks towards the bedroom, returns, shakes hands and says: "That's enough, there are other journalists who want to talk to me. Thank you and goodbye." And he is gone. The Artist, in his red glittery hip pants with matching shirt and heelboots. A dazed Jo