PRINCE: “I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE SYSTEM TO SEE IT.”
“I had to get out of the recording industry, and once I did, that changed my perspective on everything: lyrics, sound, even a clear complexion. It's like climbing a mountain: The higher you get, the more you can see. I had to get out of the system to see it.”
— PRINCE, Paper Magazine (1999)
In 1999, Prince described stepping away from the traditional music industry as a moment of transformation.
During this same period, Prince’s friendship with Larry Graham grew deeper, bringing a new spiritual dimension and personal influence into his life.