**Prince Was About to Expose Powerful Names—Three Days Later, He Was De@d**

On December 31, 1999, Prince’s publishing contract with Warner Chappell expired, finally freeing him from restrictive agreements that had controlled his music and even his name for decades.

This moment of emancipation was the result of years of conflict with Warner Bros., where Prince battled for ownership of his work and creative freedom. In his own words, he changed his name to a symbol to distance himself from the past and the control of the label, seeking spiritual well-being over fame.

Prince’s struggle with the music industry was well-documented. He was signed to Warner at 18, and while his early albums didn’t achieve huge commercial success, the label kept him on, recognizing his talent.

By the 1980s, Prince had become a superstar, but as his influence grew, so did his frustration with the industry’s control. He famously appeared with the word “slave” written on his face, protesting the way record labels exploit artists and deny them ownership of their own music.

He openly discussed his desire to buy back his masters from Warner. When denied, he threatened to re-record all his music so fans could choose to support him directly rather than the label.

Even after regaining some control, Prince continued to face opposition from industry elites—so much so that he reportedly feared for his life. Just days before his death, he hinted at impending danger, posting cryptic messages and telling people to “wait a few days before you waste any prayers.”

Prince died at age 57, found unresponsive at his Minnesota estate. The official cause was an accidental fentanyl overdose from counterfeit Vicodin, but many fans and insiders found this explanation suspicious, given Prince’s reputation for clean living.

Rumors spread that Prince was about to expose powerful figures in the industry who wanted him gone, and his death came just days before he was allegedly set to reveal their names.

His sister, Tyka Nelson, confirmed that Prince had confided in her about being in trouble. She said he prepared her for his death over two years, telling her he had done everything he came to do. Tyka described their close relationship and how Prince had helped her through her own struggles, emphasizing the sense of foreboding he felt in his final days.

Prince’s battle was not unique. Michael Jackson, another legendary artist, also spoke out against the exploitation of Black artists by record companies, naming executives like Sony’s Tommy Mottola and exposing industry racism and greed.

Both Prince and Jackson sought control over their music and both died under mysterious circumstances after challenging the system.

Prince also faced betrayal from within the industry. He trusted Jay-Z and worked with Tidal for exclusive streaming rights, but after his death, his estate sued Roc Nation for copyright infringement, alleging that Tidal overstepped its agreement. Rumors suggested Prince also wanted to expose other industry figures like Diddy for their roles in exploiting artists.

In the end, Prince’s legacy remains untouchable, even as questions linger about the true circumstances of his death and the powerful names he may have been ready to expose.

His story stands as a warning about the dangers faced by artists who dare to fight for their rights in an industry built on secrecy and control.