DINH DOONG

At 10:07 a.m., despite attempts to revive him, Prince was pronounced dead. He was found lifeless at his Minnesota home, leaving fans and the music industry in shock.

Born Prince Rogers Nelson, he was known for his mastery of music, capable of playing 27 instruments on his debut album “For You” at the age of 20. As the world mourned his loss, Prince’s legacy stood strong, not only for his musical genius but also for his staunch opposition to the exploitative practices of major record labels. He believed that these corporations enslaved artists and stripped them of their earnings, a reality that led him to inscribe “slave” on his face during public appearances and reject his birth name in favor of a symbol.

One of Prince’s most vocal supporters in this fight for artist independence was comedian Cat Williams, who has recently shed light on the continuing exploitation of Prince’s work, particularly by Jay-Z. Prince had always been against the system of big record labels, and his frustrations were well known. In interviews, he explained how artists were often left with a tiny fraction of their earnings, while the record companies took the majority. As he famously said, “If I sell a million records, the label takes $10 million.”

For Prince, the injustice of the music industry was personal. He constantly battled with Warner Bros. over the ownership of his music. Prince was vocal about his disputes with Warner Bros. regarding how frequently he should release albums and who owned the rights to his songs. This battle over ownership, he believed, was rooted in the inherent greed of the industry.

His protest was visible not only in his interviews but also in his music. He re-released “Crystal Ball,” a project aimed at reclaiming control over his bootlegged songs. However, his battles extended far beyond bootlegged records; they targeted the entire structure of music distribution in the digital age. Prince was one of the first major artists to speak out against the impact of the internet on musicians, arguing that it devalued music by making it too easily accessible for free.

He often criticized the way digital downloads affected artists’ income, stating that artists were no longer getting paid fairly for their work. “We tend not to value things we can get for free,” he said, explaining how the rise of the internet made it harder for artists to track their earnings and claim the money they were owed. Despite his concerns, he maintained a love for the artistry of music, grounded in the “golden age” of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, where musicians had to prove themselves against legendary performers like James Brown and Tina Turner.

A major concern for Prince was the “compulsory license law,” which allowed record companies to take control of artists’ music without permission. This practice, he argued, was a blatant disregard for artistic integrity, as it allowed the music industry to produce cover versions of original songs without the consent of the creator. He lamented that people often thought songs he had written, like “Nothing Compares 2 U,” were actually owned by other artists.

His struggles with the music industry weren’t just about money but also about fairness and justice. Prince wanted recognition for his work, not only in terms of financial compensation but also in how his music was used and distributed. He was passionate about restoring balance to the industry, a goal he believed could be achieved through “courageous people” willing to stand up and fight for artists’ rights.

Comedian Cat Williams, a longtime fan and friend of Prince, recently exposed Jay-Z’s alleged role in exploiting Prince’s work after his death. Williams met Prince when he was just 12 years old, and their friendship lasted for decades. According to Williams, Prince was a guiding force in his life, inspiring him with his intelligence and self-assuredness. He described Prince as a “high thinker” who was always ahead of the curve and able to focus intensely on every aspect of his music.

Prince’s ability to play dozens of instruments and his willingness to challenge the status quo made him a multifaceted and powerful figure in the music industry. Even in death, his legacy continues to inspire others to fight for artistic freedom and fairness in an industry known for its exploitation of talent.

As more artists come forward to speak out against the injustices they face, Prince’s influence remains a beacon for change. His fight was not only about reclaiming his music but about redefining the relationship between artists and the industry, ensuring that future generations are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.