Publication: Billboard [US]
Date: October 26, 1996
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Title: " Binds With EMI-Capitol Music Group"
Written By: Melinda Newman

The Artist Formerly on Warner Bros.: Following a long and bitter departure from Warner Bros., has linked with EMI-Capitol Music Group North America to release his next album via his New Power Generation Records imprint.

Although the ink on the contract is barely dry, EMI-Capitol is wasting no time getting to work on the project. "Emancipation," a three-CD set, will be released Nov. 19 and will be preceded by the first single, a remake of the Stylistics’ 1972 hit "Betcha By Golly, Wow." The triple album will cost about the same as a two-CD package, with a boxlot price of $22.80.

One source described the deal by saying, "Prince is using EMI Records’ marketing, publicity, and promotion staff. The record is on [NPG]; Prince is not signed to EMI."

The usually reclusive artist, who is still going by the unpronounceable symbol he adopted as a name three years ago, will supposedly do press and tour behind the album. At this point, the worldwide deal is believed to be for this project only. No financial details were available.

Sales will be handled primarily by EMI Music Distribution, although EMI Records’ urban field staff will work the album to independent accounts. Clean and stickered versions will be available.

The deal came together with amazing speed. After a brief meeting with EMI-Capitol execs Sept. 18 at Prince’s Paisley Park offices in Minneapolis, came to New York Oct. 10, played music for EMI label brass, and, within 24 hours, hammered out a deal. Executives, including EMI-Capitol Music Group North America chairman/CEO Charles Koppelman, EMI-Capitol Music Group North America executive VP/GM Terri Santisi, EMI Music Distribution president Russ Bach, and EMI Records president Davitt Sigerson, flew to Minneapolis Oct. 15 and picked up some tracks at Paisley Park, and Santisi and Bach previewed them for accounts at the National Assn. Of Recording Merchandisers fall conference in Phoenix that night.

’s last release was "Chaos And Disorder." The title, released in July, spent four weeks on The Billboard 200. For the last few years, the artist’s album sales have been rapidly declining; however, that may be largely due to his feud with Warner Bros. As far back as 1994, was complaining, according to a press release, that he "now feels that his much-publicized $100 million deal may have just been a way to lock him into ‘institutionalized slavery’ with Warner." (Billboard, Oct. 29, 1994). Warner Bros. Had no comment by press time.