The Artist Formerly Known as Prince will release his new album, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, with Arista Records in November. Under the new distribution deal, Arista will promote, market and distribute the new album, which will bear the Artist's NPG Records logo. All masters remain with the singer.
The ex-Prince swears, of course, that his new deal doesn't signify any capitulation on his part. "I believe I had 2 get out of the recording industry 4 a while so that I could reclaim my artistry and become empowered by it again," he said in rather numeric release. "The problems I had with so-called majors were regarding ownership and long-term contracts. Both of these problems r non-existent in my agreement with Arista. Things seem 2 work out best when all parties agree, and we do!"
The problems the chameleon-like rocker are referring to involve his much-publicized split with Warner Bros. in 1996. The label only wanted him to put out one album a year under the $100 million recording deal he signed in 1992 and curtailed his rights to his songs (hence the "Slave" incidents).
Following the nasty breakup, the Artist signed a one-year contract with EMI, followed by a stint marketing his music via his Website and direct mail.
The new album will include collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Public Enemy rapper Chuck D, Ani DiFranco and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani. "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" will be the first release to hit the radio waves.
Arista's CEO and founder Clive Davis is much less cryptic about his enthusiasm.
"I've been asked many times which artist I would most like to have a professional relationship, and my answer was always the Artist Formerly Known as Prince," he says. "So to me, this is a dream come true."
The dream might be a bit short-lived since the current deal only covers one album, but publicist Lois Najarian says it could last longer. "There's no reason to believe that if both parties stay mutually happy that they won't do another one," she says.