Prince

R&B singer Prince has served up a 21 date tour in London this summer. The “Earth Tour” will kick off August 1 with seven dates at the O2 Arena, a newly opened venue that holds 17,000 plus patrons.

Continuing with the innovative concept of his 2004 U.S. Musicology tour, it’s rumored that a free copy of the artist's forthcoming album will be distributed with each ticket purchased.

Outside Organization, a PR company helping to publicize the tour, said in a statement that Prince would be performing his greatest hits "for the very last time," but the artist did not confirm the claim.

The legendary artist took part in a press conference in central London today (May 8) to unveil the three-week trek, which will be his only European dates this year.

"Last time I was here, a lot of people didn't get to see me, so we're trying to make it affordable," he explained. "That's why we're doing an extended stay. I got used to this while working in Las Vegas. I also have a wide fanbase, which come to multiple shows all the time."

Gig-goers in London should expect the unexpected, he declared today. "Because there's going to be so many nights here, we're going to change the show every night. We've learned about 150 songs, and it'll be a lot of fun."

When asked if this was the last time he would play London, he admitted, "for a while. Which is another reason why we are staying so long." When pressed, he added, "We just need to take some time off to study and travel." And what is he studying? "The Bible."

A spokesperson said "eclectic and surprising supports from around the world" would open for the star. "I hope that [Winehouse] is going to show up," Prince said. "I'm a big fan."

The inclusion of the CD for the London dates was down to "direct marketing," Prince said today, adding "I don't have to be in the speculation business. The record industry is going through tumultuous times at the moments."