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"I am really an artist and musician at heart, that's what I do. Musicology has no boundaries or formats. It is long overdue to return to the art and craft of music—that's what this album is about. School's in session."
——Prince, on signing with Sony

PRINCE PACTS WITH
SONY FOR NEW ALBUM

Companies Announce World-Wide Alliance for Musicology

Prince went straight from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to Columbia Records.

After being inducted into its hallowed halls last week, and bringing down the house with a performance of some of his greatest hits, Prince and Sony Music Entertainment have announced an agreement through which SME will manufacture and distribute his new release, Musicology on a worldwide basis. Musicology will be released on Columbia Records April 20. The first single from the album, "Musicology," will impact at radio on Monday, March 29.

"Prince is a true genius," said the Executive Currently Known as Sony Music U.S. President Don Ienner: " Over the course of his extraordinary career he's continually taken on new artistic challenges, and in the process he has repeatedly set new standards of excellence in popular music. The songs contained on Musicology have tremendous depth, power, and range, making the album an important addition to the Prince legend, and a must-have for his fans around the globe. I look forward to working closely with Prince as we bring Musicology to audiences across the country and throughout the world. Though I draw the line at writing ‘Slave Master’ on my forehead for the trade photo."

Prince commented, "I am really an artist and musician at heart, that's what I do. Musicology has no boundaries or formats. It is long overdue to return to the art and craft of music—that's what this album is about. School's in session."

Prince kicked off 2004 with a stunning opening performance at the 46th Grammy Awards with multiple-award-winner Beyonce. He also recently inked with Universal Music Publishing Group and released a live DVD. Later this month, Prince will launch the "Musicology" concert tour, in which he promised to give each ticket-holder a free copy of the album. It seems rather unlikely that he'll do that now, but you never know when it comes to the mercurial one.