The Warner Bros. section of the Prince back catalogue, which covers the lion’s share of his imperial ’80s period, will begin streaming this weekend.
Prince himself famously disliked streaming and blocked his material from being used on Spotify, Apple Music and the rest of the streaming world’s outlets. However, after long discussions involving Warner Bros., streaming companies and the Prince estate, the late legend’s music is finally being made available via the medium.
Spotify teased the release this week by painting various locations in New York purple.
It was reported yesterday that fellow major label conglomerate Universal have struck a deal to release the ‘Purple Rain’ singer’s private archive, in addition to acquiring the rights to 25 albums that he released through NPG Records, the label that he founded.
Universal’s Executive Vice-President Michele Anthony spoke, in a statement, of the honour “professionally and personally to be entrusted with these cherished recordings, including his storied ‘vault’ of unreleased music, and to partner with his estate and heirs to preserve and expand Prince’s legacy.”
