Prince is a slave no more.
The legendary artist is reuniting with Warner Bros. Records after 17 years as part of a new global licensing deal that will give him control over his original recordings.
The eccentric performer famously appeared in public with the word “slave” scrawled on his face during a 1996 dispute with Warner over the ownership of his songs.
In return, Prince will release a new record along with a re-mastered deluxe version of his classic “Purple Rain.” The deal comes just ahead of the 30th anniversary of the top-selling soundtrack and movie of the same name.
It sold 20 million copies and was listed as the best soundtrack of all time by several outlets, including Entertainment Weekly.
Prince also signed an exclusive global licensing partnership with Warner, covering every album from 1978 through the ’90s, including “Dirty Mind,” “Controversy” and “1999.” Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
“A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye [sic] are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship,” Prince said in a statement.
Prince has been working with a band called Third Eye Girl.