Pop icon Prince blasts music bosses for staying 'at the beach' while artists work

U.S. pop icon Prince fueled his long-running feud with music industry bosses Monday, slamming them for being "always at the beach," while hard-working artists make fortunes for them.

The 55-year-old, who only weeks ago agreed a new deal with Warner Bros and who is due to release a new studio album, said he has had enough of record label supremos living the good life on the back of musicians.

The artist originally signed a lucrative deal with Warner Bros Records in 1992, but became frustrated with how they released his music, and the deal ended after the musician wrote "Slave" on his face.

Prince, long known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, struck a new deal with Warners last month to release previously unheard material as well as a remastered edition of the "Purple Rain" 1984 film soundtrack.

But that didn't stop him criticizing the hand that feeds him.

"Every time I talk to the heads of large companies, they're always at the beach," the diminutive "Purple Rain" star told Essence magazine, cited by Rolling Stone.

"Middle of the afternoon, what are you doing? 'Oh, I'm at the beach with my kids.' So we're working to send their kids to college. And to the beach. We're not supposed to accept that," he said.

Prince is also due to release a new record, he said in a joint statement with Warner Bros announcing last month's agreement.

"A brand-new studio album is on the way and both Warner Bros Records and Eye are quite pleased with the results of the negotiations and look forward to a fruitful working relationship," he said, referring to his band 3RDEYEGIRL.

Warner Bros. Records head Cameron Strang added: "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."

In the Essence magazine cover story, Prince said he was feeling more creative than ever, despite being in his fourth decade as a major star.

He paid tribute to The Revolution, the band with which he made it big with songs like "Purple Rain," "Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry" -- but said they could not match his current players.

"Ask them to do what we did tonight? To improvise? There would be a problem," he told the magazine after a show in Los Angeles. "That's what I love about this new arrangement. The energy. They're in the moment.'

"A real musician is always in creative mode," added the musician, who turns 56 next month.

[Image via Agence France-Presse]