Publication: Syukan-Asahi (Weekly Asahi) [Jap]
Date: November 2, 1996
Section:
Page Number(s):
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Title: "He Was The Man Who ‘Would Rather Die Than Do An Interview.’ Of Course, Exclusive Former Prince Opened His Mouth, At Last! ‘Drum Sound Of My New Song Uses The Heartbeat Of My Soon To Be Born Baby.’"
Interviewed By: Shannon Higgins

[This article was translated from Japanese by Masahiro Isaka. He wishes to stress that the words are not exactly those of the Artist, instead a translation of what was said.]

Many readers may wonder "What is ?" The answer is the present name of Prince, who became an international star with the huge 1984 hit "Purple Rain." Sometimes he is called "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince", but there is no official reading for the symbol from his intention. He is called "Moto-Prince (M: Former Prince in English)" as some kind of joke.

On the other hand, he is famous for hating interviews. He doesn't appear in the public except concerts or awards like the Grammies. He does not do any interviews or press conferences. We never know his private life, of course.

became independent from his longtime record company, and made a new album, "emancipation." Before its international release date 19th of November, he held a world premiere press conference/listening session in Japan.

The conference was an unprecedented strict one. We were told before, "The person himself will give a signal for the timing of photo shooting." "Photo shooting is forbidden while he is walking". When we arrived at the photo session, the contracted group was waiting for us. They were like, "Photographs can be used only one time." "You cannot use them only on the media that you work for." In the eyes of almost two meter height bodyguard from USA. Tape recorder, video camcorder and personal phones were taken away. And photo shooting was limited to only thirteen media of 's choice.

Photo-shooting time was decided five minutes before the conference, but this was also shortened only for five or six seconds from his whim. Some cameramen returned in anger "Is it all? After waiting for two hours?" But after himself played his new songs from CD, there was a murmur from the overwhelmed press gallery "I cannot help allowing him some waywardness because of these great new songs..."

Our magazine tried two do an exclusive interview with such "Genius." At the hotel we had the interview, which was also had tight security, no tape recorder, no personal phone and no video. After body checking, we had two leave our stock-in-track item "camera" on the passage outside 's suite room.

...Q: First, about your name. How should I pronounce it?
: There is no way to pronounce it. American media people call me "The Artist Formerly Known As Prince," but it is almost some kind of joke. Like Princess Diana is now called "The Woman Formerly Known As Princess…

...Q: But, what should I call you in front of you...?
: I am feeling bold, so you can call me any name. If you need two, call me friend.

THE REASON HE GRANTED AN INTERVIEW

...Q: I heard you have not granted an interview during your twenty years in showbiz life. Why do you dare to speak now?
: I was tempted by my wife. That's a joke. To tell you the truth, I wanted to.

My supporters ( certainly calls his fans as supporters.) understand the process of making this album. It's the first time for me to speak in public. But after I did, it wasn't so bad.

...Q: What did you want to be understood in practice?
: In the past, I was controlled by the record company with a contract. When I used the words like "God" or "Devil", they said "It won't be a hit song, cut them." And I couldn't make the songs the way I wanted. My music comes from heaven. I think all the beautiful things are made in heaven, and we artists are given them from heaven. I cannot consent because record companies sell songs from heaven by the piece for their profit. Then, the songs no longer belong to me, they belong to the record company. It can be said that I was a slave of record company and a slave of myself who couldn't get away from such a situation.

...Q: What is the change?
: First, by the new contract, all songs I made belong to me. And, there are no limitations for making an album. I could decide all the things, from the production period, making album, to its price. Then, I could create it under true freedom, like its title "emancipation." After completion, I have satisfaction that I never felt before.

...Q: Then, you are confident this time.
: for example, when my album "Around The World In A Day" was released and some reviews appeared, I had already proceeded to work on the next album. Because I wanted to make a satisfactory album. I took one year to make this new album. The album contains 3CDs and 3 hours. Each CD has 12 songs and just one hour to the second. This album recorded every side of my music and my soul. It is not to much to say that I was born to make this album.

I changed my name from Prince to because I wanted to be emancipated from lots of barriers. But it might have been a rash act. If I changed my name to now - because I was reborn as new one - perhaps, some of the confusion could have been avoided.

...Q: I heard this album includes some new material...
: There is a song called "Sex In The Summer". The drum sound uses the heartbeat of my soon to be born baby.

...Q: How could you do that?
: I bought a supersonic wave equipment used obstetricians and gynecologists in the neighborhood hospital. You know, when a pregnant mother goes to obstetricians and gynecologists, cream is placed on her belly, and we can see inside by putting the equipment on her belly. I connected it with the mixing board in the studio, and picked up heartbeat of our baby in my wife's belly. The content of the song, however, is the process of making a baby.…In fact, I intended to write about baby's experience in mother's belly or about fertilization. But I will write about them when I get a little bit older.

...Q: By the way, why don't you allow us two take pictures though you now allow us to interview?
: ...In a word, I dislike photographs.

...Q: What do you mean?
: I have seen many times, cameramen fighting each other to take up a good space only to take pictures of me. It is ridiculous. I would like to say "If you want my pictures so bad, then I will give you an extra print of my photographs.". And I feel like photography is stealing something from me.

...Q: Do you think your soul is stolen?
: I don't mean to, but I have something I don't like in the tools made by human. A camera is one of them. Tape recorder, too. I am here, but my voice or after image - they are part of me - are in other places where I don't know. I dislike such situation. From now on, I will go around the world to be understood by my supporters, not to explain my music, but I won't cross the line that I create.

...Q: Please give some last words for Japanese supporters.
: (Clasping his hands) to those who believe my ability, thank you.