Edd’s MANtra: No Computer Love

 

 

 

and on his worst looks like Spongebob’s prostitute aunt.

But let’s see y’all try to defend his latest comments, courtesy of mashable.com:


“I really believe in finding new ways to distribute my music,” pop legend Prince told the Daily Mirror in an exclusive interview….


“The Internet’s completely over,” he said. “I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won’t pay me an advance for it, and then they get angry when they can’t get it.”


Yes, that newfangled Internet – I bet that fad will fade out quicker than Apollonia’s career.


I wish grouchy old artists and music executives would embrace the Internet. Look at your favorite rapper Drake – he released his first single way back in 2007 and no one cared. But after gaining a huge Internet buzz, his mixtapes were selling more than albums backed by the most powerful record labels. For an artist like Prince, who has been known to buck trends and stick it to “the man,” you’d think he embrace this line of thinking. But nah…


“The Internet’s like MTV,” the star said to The Mirror’s correspondent. “At one time, MTV was hip, and suddenly it became outdated.”


Sorry, playa, MTV became outdated because of the Internet. People were tired of watching those Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez videos on an endless loop (I know y’all remember those good times…) and turned to Internet sites like YouTube to keep up with their favorite artists. Why wait around for your favorite song to be played when you can access it instantly? That’s why MTV had to turn to those horrible non-music shows to retain viewers.


Grandpa Prince wasn’t done ranting, though:


“All these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.”


Prince’s new album, 20Ten, is set to be released in the U.S. in the coming weeks. So how will his fans listen to the album if not for these electronic newfangled gadgets like iPods and CD players? Should we put the disc up to our ears and listen? Maybe we’ll even hear the seashore.


I get what Prince is trying to say. I do think there are definite disadvantages to the digital age – increased piracy and less emphasis on albums as complete bodies of work, not just individually downloadable tracks, are just a couple of those worries – but he has to realize that this ain’t 1999. Avoiding technology will only close the doors on new listeners who want to learn if Prince is really as legendary as their parents claim.