1999: The New Master

Publication: The San Diego Union-Tribune [US]
Date: January 27, 1999
Title: "How Millennial! '1999' Times Seven"
Summary: Never one to underplay a potentially good (or lucrative) thing, The Artist is poised to release a seven-cut CD single on Tuesday.

Publication: The Denver Post [US]
Date: January 29, 1999
Title: "It's Never Too Late For '1999'"
Summary: Prince made "1999" popular back in 1982. However, he officially ended his longtime relationship with Warner Bros. Records three years ago, and the label still owns the rights to the actual "1999" masters. Warner Bros. has been reservicing the original song to radio in hopes that it will become a hit all over again (it reached No.27 on Billboard's Top 40 Tracks chart after New Year's).

Publication: Minneapolis Star Tribune [US]
Date: February 2, 1999
Title: "Prince More Imaginative On New '1999'; Fresh Sounds - From Hip-Hop To Acid-Jazz - Revive Hit"
Summary: Prince is having a snit -- what else is new? -- because Warner Bros. Records has reissued his 1983 hit, "1999," without consulting him. He tends to throw a fit whenever things happen that are out of his control. This time, he's fighting back.

Publication: The Baltimore Sun [US]
Date: February 2, 1999
Title: "1999' Repeats In Your Ear; Review: The Artist Occasionally Named Prince Releases New Versions Of His Classic Song. Nah, It Can't Be Just So He Can Pocket All The Royalties"
Summary: If the Artist Formerly Known as Prince really wanted to be honest about why he's releasing a "New Master" version of his 1982 hit, "1999," he wouldn't just change the song's backing track. He'd also change the chorus:

Publication: The Boston Herald [US]
Date: February 2, 1999
Title: "Free Verse; The Artist Launches Attack To Become New Master Of '1999'"
Summary: That's when Prince first released "1999," the pre-millennium dance anthem that will likely be this year's most played song. Get ready to hear it over and over again. It will be unavoidable. And it will make many millions of dollars.

Publication: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [US]
Date: February 2, 1999
Title: "Prince's Ode To The Ages Artist's New '1999' Tracks Will Keep Us Partying Until 'Two Thousand Zero Zero'"
Summary: Just what are you supposed to do with a discful of variations on Prince and the Revolution's funkalicious classic "1999"? Drop the CD into your player, crank the stereo and party like it's 1999, or party like it's 1999! Fast forward to the last track and party like it's 1999!