(AllHipHop News) It’s has only been a few days since Prince’s estate announced a deal with Universal Music, to oversee and administer his lucrative catalog of music.
Now, Warner Bros. has announced that the late icon’s classic catalog owned by the label is finally rolling out across all streaming platforms today (February 12), just as the Grammy’s prepare tribute to the singer, who died of a drug overdose on April 21, 2016.
Prince signed with Warner Bros. almost 40 years ago and recorded his most influential and popular albums for the label.
His albums Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Parade, Sign O’ The Times, Batman and Diamonds and Pearls were recorded for Warner, and are considered classics.
As part of the new agreement, Warner Bros. is going to reissue Purple Rain, along with two albums of previously unreleased Prince material, and two complete concert films from the Purple One’s vaults.
“Prince recorded his most influential and popular music during his time with Warner Bros. and we are deeply aware of our responsibility to safeguard and nurture his incredible legacy,” said Cameron Strang, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. Records.
“Warner Bros. is thrilled to be able to bring Prince’s music to his millions of fans around the world via streaming services, fittingly on music’s biggest night. We’d like to thank Prince’s estate, Universal Music Publishing, the Grammy Awards and all of the streaming services for their great collaboration in making this landmark event possible,” Strang added.
While he was alive, Prince refused to give his music away for free. He pioneered the NPG Music Club, which bundled his albums as downloads with concert tickets, and he also refused to place his music would streaming services.
Prince eventually struck a deal with Jay Z and Tidal to stream his newer releases, but shortly after his death in 2016, a lawsuit broke out over control of the late singer’s 65 albums.
In the end, Prince’s estate went with Universal Music.
.The remastered version of Purple Rain and the two concert films from Paisley Park are due to be released on June 9.