Last week we heard the great news that Prince will be releasing his next album, titled 20TEN, in the August issue of German Rolling Stone magazine and today we learn that the album will in fact be released for free in various publications all over Europe. France is the first country to release the album in the July 8th issue of Courrier International to be followed by releases in the UK, Germany and Belgium. Here is our first look at the album artwork for 20TEN and some deets about the album’s release:
Pop star Prince will be giving away his new album “20Ten” with newspapers in Europe. The “Purple Rain” singer, who released his 2007 album “Planet Earth” as a free CD with Britain’s Mail on Sunday newspaper, has teamed up with a handful of European publications to expand the idea in July – to coincide with planned concerts on the continent. Prince has joined forces with the publishers of the Daily Mirror and Daily Record in Britain for the CD giveaway, and more than 2.5 million copies of the album will be distributed. The German edition of Rolling Stone will also include “20Ten”, as well as Het Nieuwblad in Belgium. Each of the publications will also feature an extensive interview with the reclusive star.
I love that Prince is so wealthy that he doesn’t need to sell albums anymore, he just gives them away. I’m certain this album will be available for sale here in the US at some point but I am really looking forward to gettin’ my mitts on a copy when I get to Paris, France in a few weeks. At this point, we have no idea what any of the music on 20TEN will sound like but at least now we know for sure what the album art looks like. I’m excited … are you?
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I think that Prince should do an album of just guitar solos. He is soooooo amazing on the guitar, but I think most people think of him as a frontman/songwriter and his skills don’t get the props they deserve. He really is on a Jimi Hendrix level of guitar playing, yet he doesn’t get recognized for that.
I’m going to Paris too, July 3 – 17, but if you’re going in a few weeks, I guess that means we wouldn’t be there at the same time. Le boo. =(
@Shannon — I arrive on July 17
I’m still smarting from the whole lotusflow3r.com debacle. I’m sure he made quite a bit of money off his fans at $77 a pop for such paltry content. To be honest, I’m not excited for this album and have been a fan since the 1999 days. I love the man and know he is still capable of pushing boundaries musically, but he’s just not stepping up to the plate.
Trent, 89.3 The Current in Minneapolis played a new track from Prince this morning! Not sure if this will be on 20Ten but I can’t imagine it not being on the album. The track was called “Hot Summer” and it was par for the course Prince. The song is pretty low key with a decent hook.
@Sarah — OMG, I found the song … it sounds fun: http://www.antiquiet.com/news/2010/06/prince-hot-summer-mp3/
So happy my roommate leaves for Europe tonight! I’ll be giving her this link to shop from!
I get het nieuwSblad! So I’m getting the album too yaaay :D
Trent….I might need you to get me a copy so I can get a listen. I can send you the funds. lol
Honestly, I don’t think it’s because he is rich, I think it’s because he doesn’t sell that well anymore and no one takes a great deal of interest to him.
He is great, don’t get me wrong (I’m way more of a MJ fan personally) – but I guess this is a way of staying within the spotlight if you could say that.
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He does deserve a BET Icon Award or whatever it was, but the reason WHY he received it, is because of the album release.
Prince doesn’t sell that well anymore? Of course he doesn’t! He doesn’t have a big record label pushing his music like Madonna, GaGa and the rest.
Prince doesn’t have to sell 10 million records anymore. He owns his studio and production facilities, he has a loyal fanbase that can make any record he puts out profitable.
I would love to see one of his latter day records blow up like Purple Rain but without the push from a label it will never happen.