Prince slams Madonna, Maroon 5 in Billboard interview

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"I was reluctant to let you come," Prince began his new interview with Billboard magazine, "until I heard that you're planning to do a story about ownership."

The enigmatic pop icon is no fan of traditional music label distribution. Prince still blames Warner Brothers, his old label, for mis-managing the marketing and promotion of his music.

Prince also took a hit at his ex-girlfriend and pop rival Madonna for the attention she received from the label.

"It was always about Madonna," Prince said in the interview. "She was getting paid, but at the same time we were selling more records and selling out concerts on multiple nights."

Chart-toppers Maroon 5 didn't escape his disdain either.

"Why do we need to hear another cover of a song someone else did?" Prince said of the band's decision to record "Kiss" for their 2012 album, "Overexposed." "Art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what's already there."

Prince rejected rumors that he was working toward a studio album this year.

"I don't do albums anymore -- I don't have a deal. I do songs," he said. Prince released his latest effort, a single called "Screwdriver," on his website, 20pr1nc3.com, earlier this week.

[Billboard/Us Weekly]