Prince will return to Warner Bros. Records for the first time in 18 years. The singer re-joins the label after a split that previously lead him to write the word ‘slave’ on his face and change his name to an unpronounceable symbol in an attempt to disrupt his contract.  According to a press release, the new deal will provide Prince with the rights to the master recordings of his classic albums in “an exclusive global licensing partnership that covers every album released from 1978 into the ‘90s”. Prince left the label in 1996 after a long waged a war with the music industry convention in the name of artists' rights. His dramatic decision to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol came about as a gambit to escape his contract with Warner and win back his mastertapes.  As part of the new deal, a digitally remastered deluxe edition of Prince’s classic album Purple Rain will be released to mark its 30th anniversary. Further re-releases are expected to follow, as well as a new studio album with Prince’s current band 3RDEYEGIRL, reportedly entitled Plectrum Electrum.  Prince stated: "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.”  "Everyone at Warner Bros. Records is delighted to be working with Prince once again: he is one of the world's biggest stars and a truly unique talent,” said Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Cameron Strang. “We are also very excited about the release of new and remastered music from one of his greatest masterpieces."  These new releases mark the latest activity in a prolific year for Prince, who caused havoc amongst the press and fans when he performed a series of off-the-cuff gigs in small London and Manchester venues back in February.
After writing the word 'slave' on his face to protest the contract he once had with the label, the singer has inked a new deal, promising a new album and a digitally remastered deluxe edition of his classic album Purple Rain