Most people see $20 million and think they hit the jackpot. But Prince? He saw a crime scene. In 2001 the world cheered for Mariah Carey and her massive new record deal. Everyone else saw dollar signs. But the man behind Purple Rain saw a ransom note. He knew that a giant pile of cash was just a shiny tool to lock a young genius in a cage.
Prince once wrote the word ‘slave’ on his face to show how much power the big bosses had over his art. During this famous chat with Jay Leno, he explains that if an album costs $18, the singer should get half. Instead, the labels give a flat payment and keep the rest of the treasure forever. You have to see how he breaks it down on The Tonight Show because it changes everything you know about fame.
Watch the full video below:
“Mariah got SCREWED” Prince reveals the TRUTH!
Fans today are still stunned by how right he was. One viewer said that the singer does not get half unless they write and produce every single note. Another person pointed out that this is exactly why Mariah is still working so hard today. They see Prince as a hero who was trying to warn his friends before they fell into the corporate trap.
Prince did more than just talk about the problem. He fought it his whole life. He wanted every artist to own their own work and their own name. This battle was not just for him, but for everyone who ever picked up a microphone. This fighting spirit is what made him a legend to other stars.
Prince’s Full Philosophy on Record Labels
This second video shows the deep truth behind his symbolic name change. He explains that the industry treats humans like property, but he found a way to break the chains. He wanted to make sure no one else would be “skirted” or tricked by a big advance.
Prince spent his journey teaching others how to stand up for themselves and stay true to their music. His brave choices helped artists like Mariah Carey find their own path to freedom years later. Follow Prince on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to see more of his legendary fight for the truth.