In an exclusive interview with international music icon Prince, Billboard takes readers on a journey through the unconventional mind and brilliance of a pop legend. At the beginning of the one-on-one, Prince announces to music critic Gail Mitchell that he only conceded to be interviewed because its focus is on ownership as he is currently fighting to protect his rights to own his songs.
"I was reluctant to let you come," says the man sitting in front of me, "until I heard that you're planning to do a story about ownership," writes the author.
The male-diva also refused to allow the reporter to record the interview or take notes. Mitchell writes:
He remains adamant about not allowing reporters to record their conversations with him. ("Some in the past have taken my voice and sold it," he says. "I can't remember the incident that triggered it and it's probably best that I don't.") And he still frowns at the idea of a reporter taking notes. ("That would be just like texting.")
The interview reveals a very intimate portrait of Prince and little known facts about the eccentric artist including the fact that he hired "a team of female black lawyers who keep an eye on such transgression" and he doesn't believe in talking "to old people...they try to find ways to stay static. Young folks are the ones with the ideas and constantly moving forward."
During the three hour interview, he also complained about his music not getting spins on the radio:
"I'm selling out multiple nights, but how come I can't get music on the radio? You have the indie promoters and you ask, 'Who are you and where do you come from? What are your references? And can you guarantee your work [getting airplay]?' No. But I have to make sure and guarantee mine, right?"
To read the interview in full, go to Billboard.com.
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